Louisiana : Safety by City
- Baton Rouge
- Bogalusa
- Bossier City
- Chalmette
- Farmerville
- Franklinton
- Houma
- Kenner
- Lafayette
- Lake Charles
- LaPlace
- Mandeville
- Marrero
- Metairie
- Monroe
- Natchitoches
- New Iberia
- New Orleans
- Pineville
- Ponchatoula
- Prairieville
- Shreveport
- Slidell
- Springhill
- Terrytown
Springhill is in Northern Louisiana on the Arkansas State Line.
Depending on what you plan to do here, this is either a small rural town or a big hunting and recreational countryside.
While you might “blink and miss it” on the map, this city has been important in the lumber and paper industry since it was incorporated in 1818.
Economic ups and downs now have the city with just 5,000 residents and woods on all sides, with the nation’s largest ATV park nearby.
Those looking to visit Springhill for a local festival can still enjoy the annual Lumberjack Festival and the annual rodeo.
While there’s just one formal hotel in town, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of campsites and RV spots throughout Webster Parish.
Springhill offers small-town charm, wilderness options galore, and a taste of Louisiana with southern hospitality.
All that is on top of a low crime rate.
Warnings & Dangers in Springhill
OVERALL RISK: LOW
There's a low risk here, with crime rates below the national average. If you like the outdoors, you'll also find plenty of things to do. There's a strong antique market here as well.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
You'll need a car to get around here without a robust public transportation system and few options for taxis and rideshares. Plus, if you want to explore the wilderness, you'll need your own vehicle or RV.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
This is low risk, with no pickpockets reported in 2021. In fact, just 17 thefts were reported in the entire year, and 65% of those were from car break-ins.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
You'll have to worry about severe winter weather throughout the year. Since it's in Northern Louisiana, you're more likely to get snow or ice storms. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes start in spring, and that risk runs through fall. Treat this as a medium risk factor since so many activities here focus on the outdoors.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
There were just three robberies in 2021, so you can enjoy the city with low risk. Since this is hunting territory, you will see many people with guns.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
This is a small rural town with low risk. The nearest "larger" city is an hour away in Shreveport or Texarkana.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Many tourists here will participate in a guided hunting or fishing tour. Just be sure to review the outfits through the Better Business Bureau. Ask the local chamber of commerce for recommendations to avoid potential scams.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women face the same low risk, but this isn't a place with many amenities for "girly girls." You'll find the basic things to do, like dining and local events, but there aren't spas or major shopping centers. Even with low crime levels, you still shouldn't walk around at night alone.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The 2021 Annual Water Quality report shows full compliance and no violations. You can call the water utility office at (318) 539-5681 if you have more questions. Having a couple of cases of bottled water is a good idea if you spend time outdoors.
Safest Places to Visit in Springhill
There isn’t an official tourism site just for Springhill, but you can see local events on the city government website under the “Attractions” tab.
Louisianatravel.gov also has a page dedicated to Springhill.
Downtown Springhill has a typical Main Street feeling with businesses and restaurants, but it’s nothing fancy.
Aside from basic amenities like restaurants and shopping, you’ll need to go outside the city limits to find most things to do.
The biggest events in the city are as follows:
- Lumberjack Festival: “A Celebration of Heritage” Early October
- Springhill Rodeo: “The Oldest Continuously Running Rodeo in Louisiana” is every September.
Muddy Bottoms ATV Off-Road & Outdoor Recreation Park is one of the main draws to Webster Parish.
The park surrounds Eagle Lake and has an extensive trail system.
There are events held here throughout the year that require tickets.
You can park an RV, rent a cabin, or choose from various campsite options.
You’ll need to sign a waiver if you are riding an ATV.
About 30 minutes south of Springhill is the large Bodcau Wildlife Management Area.
This is a place for hunting, boating, fishing, camping, birding, and target practice.
Springhill Theatre is a one-screen movie theater but comes with a great deal of history.
The 1979 movie Five Days from Home was filmed in this area and premiered at the theatre.
The theater has gone through ups and downs over the years but is now open with affordable prices and a unique experience for all.
There is a small casino in Springhill.
Cash Magic is nothing like you’d see in Las Vegas but is housed in a strip mall with some favorite video poker and slot machines.
Louisana Whitetails offers hunting packages to get the best value for your time when exploring the hilly Louisiana landscape.
To avoid sticker shock, you will pay several thousand dollars for this experience.
That’s common with any hunting package guided by an expert.
Places to Avoid in Springhill
You won’t have to worry about a dangerous neighborhood in Springhill, as the city isn’t big enough to have a better or worse town.
Use Main Street and Arkansas Street to get around north/south and Butler Street for east/west travel.
Once you’re off the main roads, you won’t find any amenities.
Most of the wilderness areas here have very few amenities.
You need to avoid going into the forests or lake areas unprepared.
Bring everything you need, down to clean water and snacks.
You should even bring some biodegradable toilet paper.
If you forget something, you’d like to drive anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to find supplies.
Check with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to see when the hunting season starts and ends, even if you aren’t a hunter.
You don’t want to wander into a hunting area and be mistaken for a deer.
Wearing hunter’s orange clothing will help you stand out; everyone else will wear that and camouflage.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Springhill
- Researching Springhill isn’t easy if you’re doing it remotely. I’ve run into a lot of deadlinks or outdated websites. Springhill is also a common name nationwide, so you can easily end up in the wrong state during research. Call the Springhill Chamber of Commerce to ask questions. There are phone numbers and email addresses on the SpringHillLouisiana.gov website.
- Springhill does have a police department. The phone number is (318)539-2511 if you have specific safety questions. You’ll contact the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office outside the city limits. That number is (318)377-1515.
- While there isn’t a lot of violent crime in this area, you might see thefts, poaching, drug use, or domestic abuse. Any crime information can be shared with the local Crime Stoppers group at 877-723-7867.
- You need a hunting and/or fishing license through the Department of Wildlife and Hatcheries. There is a new license fee structure in 2022, so review the full details before purchasing. The different game comes with different rules and requirements. You must carry your license and passport or driver’s license while hunting or fishing.
- Check out WebsterParishLA.org for any public notices that could impact your trip. This will include road construction or disaster information.
- Buy a battery-powered weather radio and ensure it’s programmed correctly before heading into the wild. This could be your only lifeline for emergency information during severe weather.
- With a name like “Muddy Bottoms,” you should be prepared for a lot of mud in the wilderness areas. Bring waterproof shoes, ideally at least knee-high.
- Alligators aren’t just a southern Louisiana thing. You should assume any freshwater has alligators in it throughout Webster Parish. While alligators aren’t aggressive toward people, they’ll snap at anything that comes too close to them. Use special caution with small pets.
- Hurricane season runs from June through November, and even this far inland, you’ll need to watch the tropical development. When hurricanes hit the gulf with full force, they still churn over land. While they will weaken, they can also stall and dump large amounts of rain on certain areas. Inland tropical storms area also known to spawn tornadoes.
- Visit the Facebook page @springhill.mainstreet to find local events. Since it’s not a big city, you’ll likely rely on local events and festivals to be entertained.
So... How Safe Is Springhill Really?
Springhill has very low crime rates, but overall, it’s hard to say that any city is “safe.”
There’s an influx of violent crime across America.
Springhill has seen just two homicides since 2012.
The major news stories in the area involve shootings and drug busts, but those are also few and far between.
You can find trouble in Springhill, so don’t go looking for it.
That’s especially important when it comes to illegal drugs.
Of course, you should never do illegal drugs, but the problems in America go beyond a moral code.
An ongoing trend across the country has illegal drugs cut with Fentanyl, which is a deadly painkiller.
The potency of Fentanyl is 100 times more than Morphine, and you won’t be able to tell it’s in the drug.
Even marijuana is being laced with Fentanyl.
Overdose victims don’t realize they took Fentanyl until it’s too late.
Louisana does allow people to get Narcan, which can reverse the effects of a Fentanyl overdose, at local pharmacies without a prescription.
Even if you would never use drugs, it’s something to consider in case you are at a busy campsite, and someone else overdoses nearby.
We aren’t advocating one way or the other by bringing this up, but rather letting you know your options in Louisiana.
In all my years of research, one crime statistic holds steady, even in the safest and smallest towns.
That’s car burglaries. Of the 17 thefts in Springhill, 11 of them were car break-ins.
You must lock your car, keep the windows rolled up, and avoid leaving personal belongings inside.
Especially if you have a gun in the car, you don’t want that to fall into the wrong hands.
How Does Springhill Compare?
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Springhill | 80 |
Philadelphia | 60 |
Houston | 59 |
Atlanta | 58 |
St. Louis | 58 |
Los Angeles | 56 |
Oakland | 57 |
La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
You'll need a U.S. Travel or Work Visa, but also check the U.S. State Department website to see if your country is eligible for Visa Waivers. This process can take several months, so start planning early. Once you're in America, you can travel between states, like Louisiana and Arkansas, without showing proof of ID.
Currency
The U.S. Dollar is the only currency you can use in the country. Carry some cash in rural areas like this, but keep it well hidden and don't stash it in one place. You should exchange currency before you arrive or in Shreveport since you might not find currency exchange locations in Springhill.
Weather
You'll want layers of clothing for late fall, winter, and spring. People here wear very casual clothing and hunting attire. The summers will be humid and hot. You'll sweat a lot and see some large mosquitoes. Bring bug spray and avoid floral-scented cologne or perfume. Citrus scents help keep the bugs away.
Airports
Shreveport and Texarkana have regional commercial airports, and you'll be driving about an hour to get to the airport of your choice.
Travel Insurance
Buying travel insurance when you purchase airfare puts the policy into effect immediately. That's helpful in case of last-minute illnesses or cancellations. You should also explore insurance coverage for hunting activities in case of an emergency.
Springhill Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High °C | 12 | 15 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 30 | 25 | 18 | 15 |
Low °C | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
High °F | 54 | 59 | 68 | 75 | 82 | 90 | 93 | 93 | 86 | 77 | 64 | 59 |
Low °F | 34 | 34 | 43 | 50 | 59 | 66 | 72 | 70 | 64 | 50 | 41 | 34 |
Louisiana - Safety by City
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Baton Rouge | 60 |
Bogalusa | 64 |
Bossier City | 53 |
Chalmette | 62 |
Farmerville | 75 |
Franklinton | 63 |
Houma | 63 |
Kenner | 77 |
Lafayette | 87 |
Lake Charles | 73 |
LaPlace | 75 |
Mandeville | 77 |
Marrero | 73 |
Metairie | 61 |
Monroe | 32 |
Natchitoches | 76 |
New Iberia | 74 |
New Orleans | 57 |
Pineville | 81 |
Ponchatoula | 61 |
Prairieville | 72 |
Shreveport | 52 |
Slidell | 76 |
Springhill | 80 |
Terrytown | 57 |
The strong sense of community, proactive law enforcement, and stable crime trends contribute to the overall safety of the area. Residents and visitors can feel secure while enjoying the town’s charm and community spirit.
Keep up with local news and community alerts regarding crime and safety. Participate in neighborhood watch programs and community safety meetings.