Celiac ganglionectomy attenuates the increase in arterial pressure (AP) seen in the DOCA‐salt model of hypertension; however, it is unknown which population of splanchnic sympathetic neurons is responsible for the attenuation of DOCA‐salt hypertension. Therefore, we ablated sympathetic post ganglionic neurons specifically innervating mesenteric blood vessels by applying an antibody to dopamine beta hydroxylase conjugated to the neurotoxin saporin (DβH‐Sap) on two, 7 mm segments of mesenteric arteries and veins separated from paravascular nerve trunks. Control animals received IgG‐saporin instead of DβH‐Sap. 3wks after application of saporin conjugates, rats were anesthetized, fitted with a femoral catheter, and the greater splanchnic nerve was dissected. The number of neurons in the celiac ganglia and splanchnic ganglion was considerably less in DβH‐Sap treated animals compared to IgG‐saporin treated control animals. Also, there was nearly complete elimination of TH‐positive perivascular nerve fibers. Stimulation of the greater splanchnic nerve (3Hz, 5v, 1ms for 20s) increased AP in IgG‐sap treated controls (6.2 ± 0.6 mmHg, N=4), while DβH‐Sap treated animals saw a decrease in AP (‐1.5 ± 1.5 mmHg, N=4). Ablation of vascular‐projecting neurons in prevertebral ganglia eliminates the systemic pressor response to splanchnic nerve stimulation. This study also shows that nearly all the vascular‐projecting neurons converge on two, 7 mm segments of mesenteric blood vessels, which suggests that individual prevertebral neurons project widely to the mesenteric circulation.