Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument · KY
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops and a refugee camp for their families. It served as a shelter for civilians fleeing war and for enslaved people hoping to secure their freedom and aid in the destruction of slavery.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/cane
- Location
- Camp Nelson National Monument (37.797, -84.598)
Track your visit to Camp Nelson National Monument
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks
Hours
Camp Nelson National Monumenttoday: Sunrise to Sunset
- Sat Oct 3Sunrise to Sunset
- Sun Oct 4Sunrise to Sunset
- Mon Oct 5Sunrise to Sunset
- Tue Oct 6Sunrise to Sunset
- Wed Oct 7Sunrise to Sunset
- Thu Oct 8Sunrise to Sunset
- Fri Oct 9Sunrise to Sunset
The grounds featuring nearly 5-miles of unpaved trails and dozens of wayside exhibits explaining the significance of Camp Nelson, are open 7-days a week from sunrise to sunset. Please see the Visitor Center tab for opening and closing hours, and seasonal changes.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
1
- Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center, Museum, and Barrackstoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.
Nearby6 within 100 miles
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- William Howard Taft National Historic Site