 It was mapped by United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1960–64.It was named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) after Willard I. Simmonds, biologist, McMurdo Station winter party, 1964.Simmons Basin

Simmons Basin () is an ice-free basin, or valley, trending southeast between Solitary Rocks and Friis Hills, marginal to the north side of the bend of Taylor Glacier in Victoria Land.