Butte La Rose

In the early 1930s when the Army Corps of Engineers carved two long levees right through the Atchafalaya River Basin, what had once been a widely sprawling river system prone to seasonal flooding became a fifteen-mile-wide “spillway” contained between those two earthen walls. The water level in the Basin rose by several feet, permanently flooding many areas, and people who had made their homes there eventually moved to communities on the dry, western side of the levee—Henderson, Catahoula, Bayou Benoit and beyond—leaving no trace of the old settlements behind. Only one community remained. Perched on a ridge along the banks of the Atchafalaya River, Butte La Rose is the only community in St. Martin Parish that is still located between the Basin levees.

No other place can claim to be the heart of Atchafalaya as credibly as Butte La Rose can. The community is nestled against one of the more winding meanderings of the Atchafalaya River, and residents remain closely tied to the river and other nearby waterways—fishing, crawfishing, frogging and hunting, enjoying bayou-side crawfish boils and pleasure boating. So many waterways surround Butte La Rose—Butte La Rose Canal, Bayou La Rose, Henderson Lake, Lake Bigeaux, Lake Pelba—it’s as close to an island as you can get without actually being an island.

There are only two roads to Butte La Rose, and one of those roads is blocked until February 2023 while a new bridge is being built, so these days the off-the-beaten-path community is even a little more off the beaten path. Atchafalaya River Highway (State Highway 3177) is the only road into Butte La Rose. It’s accessible from Exit 121 off Interstate 10, just east of Henderson. Three parish-operated boat ramps are located in the area. All are free and open around the clock.

Conveniently located at the Butte La Rose exit, this welcome center may be the most beautiful in the state. Excellent for an overview of the area, the center is staffed with knowledgeable people, well stocked with informational brochures and features interesting exhibits highlighting the culture and geography of the Atchafalaya. There’s always free coffee during business hours. Numerous gazebos on the grounds of the center are available for picnicking among the live oaks and crape myrtles. The Atchafalaya Boat Landing can be accessed by the small road next to the entrance to the Welcome Center. From there, you can explore the area under the Basin Bridge. Lake Pelba, Lake Bigeaux and Henderson Lake are less than a mile away.

This public boat ramp is five miles from the Welcome Center, where the Atchafalaya River Highway (State Highway 3177) intersects with Herman Dupuis Road (Parish Road 196). An ample parking lot and wide boat ramp provide easy access to the Atchafalaya River for boats of any size.

Uncle Dick Davis Campground is a parish-operated campground located in Butte La Rose, seven miles from the Welcome Center. Seventeen full hook-ups along the Butte La Rose Canal, as well as several tent sites, are available on a first come, first serve basis. Wifi is available. There’s a boat launch on site, a great dock for fishing and a playground, which are all free to the public, whether staying at the campground or not. A remnant of the old pontoon bridge has been relocated to the campground, and is an interesting piece of history to visit. The boat ramp provides access to the Butte La Rose Canal. Henderson Lake is less than two miles away.

1439 Herman Dupuis Rd
Butte La Rose, LA 70517
(337) 319-5758