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National Monument

Camp Nelson National Monument

  • South

Plan a Camp Nelson trip

About Camp Nelson

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region
South
State
Kentucky
Designation
National Monument
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Camp Nelson.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Mon
Sunrise to Sunset
Tue
Sunrise to Sunset
Wed
Sunrise to Sunset
Thu
Sunrise to Sunset
Fri
Sunrise to Sunset
Sat
Sunrise to Sunset
Sun
Sunrise 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. The Visitor Center is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Weather and when to go

Kentucky has a moderate climate, where summers are humid with highs typically in the upper 80s, and winter highs are in the low 40s. Of course, be aware of the possibility of storms or more extreme temperatures on occasion. The wettest months are March - July when about 4 inches of rain per month are expected, with other months of the year are usually drier.

Getting there

Camp Nelson National Monument is located along US 27 about 20 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky, 6 miles south of Nicholasville on US 27, and 16 miles north of Danville, KY on US 27. The Park entrance is on the original Danville Pike, adjacent to US 27, one mile north of the Camp Nelson National Cemetery.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
6614 Old Danville Loop 2 Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356
Official site
nps.gov/cane

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Camp Nelson

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What to pack for Camp Nelson

Gear & Essentials

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