Vernon: History, Nature and Festivals

Vernon offers a range of reasons to visit: event days in Leesville, cultural and historical attractions, and a nature experience by the water. To plan your trip, start by deciding what you want your stay to focus on. From its wooded hills that stretch above and into Toledo Bend Reservoir, South Toledo Bend State Park offers appealing views of the water. In Leesville, attractions range from historic architecture and exhibits to festivals and locally grown fruit and vegetables.

Festivals and Art in Leesville

The West Louisiana Forestry Festival takes place annually during the first full week of October. The program includes a variety of rides, carnival games and food stands. ArtWalk takes place in downtown Leesville on the third Saturday in March and the fourth Saturday in October. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the dates in advance.

The historic downtown district of Leesville is centered around Third Street. Its attractions include historic architecture, art exhibitions and live music, as well as several annual festivals. Gallery One Eleven features rotating exhibitions of work by its members and guest artists. As the exhibition schedule may change, it’s a good idea to check the current dates before your visit.

Visitor Information and Regional Products

The Vernon Parish Tourism Commission provides visitor information year-round at its office in the Historic 1910 Vernon Parish Courthouse in Leesville. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There, you can pick up free state or parish maps and browse travel information for all of Louisiana. Confirm the opening hours and available services before your trip.

The Main Street Market on 3rd offers locally grown fruit and vegetables. This adds a practical connection to regional produce alongside the cultural and historical attractions. If you’d like to include these products in your trip plans, consider adding the market as a stop.

Nature and Canoe Experiences

At South Toledo Bend State Park, wooded hills shape the views of Toledo Bend Reservoir. They stretch above and into the water, opening up appealing views across the lake. The park offers a scenic contrast to the exhibitions and historical attractions in Leesville and Vernon Parish.

Tack-A-Paw Expeditions offers day and overnight canoe trips tailored to different experience levels. As you plan, consider whether a day trip or a longer excursion better suits your stay. Confirm operating details before your trip.

History from Museums to Historic Sites

The Museum of West Louisiana features exhibits on the history of Vernon Parish. Its collections include archaeological artifacts, logging equipment and railroad memorabilia. The museum also displays paintings by German prisoners of war who were held at Fort Polk during World War II. The diverse collections offer several points of connection to regional history: archaeology, the logging industry, railroads and wartime history.

Historic sites include the Burr Ferry Civil War Breastworks, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are among the few surviving earthworks in Louisiana. Holly Grove Methodist Church was founded in 1834. Old Mitchell Graveyard is the first known cemetery in Vernon Parish; two soldiers from the American Revolutionary War are buried there. Talbert-Pierson Cemetery features unusual wooden grave houses. Some families continue this tradition to this day.

Burr’s Ferry Bridge also connects history and landscape: it spans the Sabine River and was built in 1936–1937 as part of the Works Progress Administration. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Together, these sites show different aspects of Vernon Parish’s history, from early burial grounds and enduring traditions to a structure built in the 1930s.

Discover more destinations: Leesville, West Feliciana, Livingston, Iberia Parish, Jefferson, St. Martin Parish, Franklin, Winn.

Return to the main travel overview: Louisiana.