Morehouse Parish possesses all that’s needed for a healthy, active and safe lifestyle plus an array of scenic and outdoor recreation opportunities. These include hunting, fishing, water sports, camping and biking. In addition, the northeast Louisiana area is rich with museums, historical sites and other cultural activities. Life is relaxing, sincere and secure, with all the metro attractions in Monroe approximately 30 minutes away.
Morehouse Parish has plenty to offer everyone, it is definitely the place to visit for tranquility, nature watching and hunting. Come and enjoy Morehouse Parish. Nature, museums, fine shopping, festivals - We've Got It All!
There are unique shopping opportunities in the downtown and many visitors love to shop the expansive selection of hunting and outdoor recreation products at Simmons’s Sporting Goodson North Washington. Retail areas on the east side of Bastrop offer a variety of large stores that will provide for most of you shopping needs.
We have the beautiful Rose Theatre, Which is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, as well as the Snyder Museum, the Visitor Center - which was once a gas station and the totally refurbished and repurposed old Bastrop High School, which is now apartments for many who went to school there. There's so much to see here in Morehouse...stick around and enjoy a glass of sweet tea!
POINTS OF INTERESTS
State Parks, Lakes, Rivers and Bayous
Chemin-A-Haut State Park - Situated on a high bluff overlooking Bayou Bartholomew, Chemin-A-Haut State Park is a natural paradise for lovers of unspoiled beauty. This 503-acre site takes its name from the French word meaning "high road," which was the route used by Native Americans many years ago in their seasonal migrations.
Located 10 miles north of Bastrop this historic state park offers activities on Big Slough Lake, Chemin-a-Haut Creek and Bayou Bartholomew. A variety of cabins to fit large groups or small families can be rented as well as more primitive campgrounds. Campgrounds are equipped with a modern bathhouse. Fishing, kayaking, canoeing make for a fun day trip or extended stay. Chemin-A-Haut State Park was designed with children in mind. Two playgrounds in the day-use area are a favorite spot of the younger patrons.
Open pavilions and an amphitheater are available for a variety of events. Portions of the park are equine friendly and host trail rides. Regular activities include “Dutch Oven” cooking. Information on time and locations of events can be obtained at the office (318) 283-0812.
Read more here.
Bayou Bartholomew - is 364 miles long and is the longest bayou in the world. Access points for canoeing, kayaking and fishing are available at some bridges and the State Park. Traversing along the ridge and through the delta areas of the parish, it is the primary waterway through the parish. Once the center of transportation activities, it was dotted with steamboat landings and social events. The landings are gone but remnants of sunken vessels can often be spotted during periods of low water.
Bonne Idee - is another French named waterway on the eastern side of the Parish and provides beautiful bayou frontage for homes and recreational properties. Fishing off the pier or drifting by boat along the mossy cypress trees provides for a leisurely afternoon. The Villages of Mer Rouge and Bonita provide convenient and friendly businesses to meet your needs while in the area.
Little Lake Lafourche - just 7 miles North of Rayville, Louisiana on the Morehouse & Richland Parish line is a great place for anglers to land some big fish. The banks are dotted with fine home and camps. Oak Ridge, Collinston and Monroe are nearby to provide shopping and supplies. In addition to Little Lake Lafourche the area is filled with small lakes, rivers and bayous to explore. Boeuf River is the parish boundary to the east.
The Ouachita River - Along the western boundary of Morehouse Parish near Sterlington provides easy access to a variety of water sports. If you are interested in sport fishing, water skiing or just sunning on the deck, the river offers a full array of activities close to marinas and launch areas.
The Morehouse Activity Center
Better known as "The MAC", is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility, conveniently located just off Highway 165 east of Bastrop, Louisiana. Constructed adjacent to the Morehouse Parish Fair Grounds, the main arena measures 120’ x 210’ and has seating for 1500. The flexible design allows for other activities and is used for many events including air-conditioned conference areas; 48 RV spaces and concession area. Please visit morehouseactivitycenter.com for upcoming events or rental information.
Rose Theatre
The Rose Theatre was built in 1927 on the Courthouse Square as a venue for the traveling vaudeville shows and silent movies of the era. The facility was later converted to a movie theater, but closed in the 1970's. After being closed for over a decade the Rose's doors reopened to the public in 1986 with a presentation of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”The Theater features musical and theatrical events throughout the year. Located at 102 E Jefferson Ave, Bastrop, LA.
Snyder Museum and Creative Arts Center
Located on beautifully landscaped grounds, the museum offers guests an educational, entertaining and refreshing setting to visit. This unique multipurpose facility houses a gallery featuring rotating art and historical exhibits, an historic collection of local artifacts and an extensive genealogical library.
The museum collections include permanent exhibits including items from the Snyder family, military displays and host art or historical displays throughout the year. Meeting space is available and is an elegant venue for weddings and other celebrations. Located at 1620 E Madison Ave, Bastrop, LA and is open Tuesday – Friday. More information available at 281-8760.
Morehouse Parish Farmers Market
Located in historic downtown Bastrop at 307 East Madison, the Farmers Market was totally restored in 2002. The market sells local, quality produce directly to the consumer and offers pea shelling and pecan cracking services as well.
Bussey Brake Reservoir
When you come to Morehouse Parish, you truly come to Sportsman’s Paradise. Bussey Brake Reservoir was revitalized by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and covers 2,228 acres for additional duck hunting and fishing opportunities with new amenities including handicap accessible fishing piers and improved docking facilities.
The Starr Home Place
Just north of Oak Ridge on U.S. Highway 425 (12 miles south of Bastrop). The museum/cultural activity center hosts a number of community days during good weather months. The original 150 acre farm dates back to 1835 has been condensed into nine acres with buildings totaling 22,000 square feet. Displays and functional work areas feature skilled crafts that were once essential to delta living. Exhibits offer and interesting opportunity to see the history of early farm life.
2023 Chemin-A-Haut Run & Walk
When: October 21, 2023 Where: Bastrop, LA Details: • 4 Mile Trail | $25 | …
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2023 Morehouse May Madness
When: May 6, 2023 Where: Bastrop, LA Cost: FREE Morehouse May Madness is a street…
Read MoreMEDCO holds Annual meeting
The annual Morehouse Economic Development Corporation held it Annual Membership Meeting on September 30, 2020.…
Read MoreNikolle Dodaj of Roma Italian Bistro named Small Business of 2019 at Annual Luncheon
The Annual MEDCO Membership Luncheon was held on October 16th at the Snyder Museum and…
Read MoreINFORMATION
Capital One Bank Building
Suite A 101 South Franklin St.
Bastrop, Louisiana 71220
Office: 318-283-4000
Fax: 318-283-0651
RECENT NEWS
MEDCO holds Annual meeting
The annual Morehouse Economic Development Corporation held it Annual Membership Meeting on September 30, 2020. CEO, Kay King…
Nikolle Dodaj of Roma Italian Bistro named Small Business of 2019 at Annual Luncheon
The Annual MEDCO Membership Luncheon was held on October 16th at the Snyder Museum and Creative Arts Center…