Camp Nelson National Monument

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 257 acres (104 ha).

Designation: Historic Site. Listed as "Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category III.

Established: 2003.

Managed by: Unknown.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Caves & caverns scenic feature
• Nature & walking trails trail

Shows and experiences

• Historic sites & museum

Events

• Family Archeology Day
• National Public Lands Day
• From Camp to Community: Civil War Tour of Lexington Cemetery
• Fall History Hike 10:30 AM–12:00 PM · Camp Nelson National Monument 6614 Danville Loop 2 Road Nicholasville, KY 40356
• People of Camp Nelson 06:00 PM–08:00 PM · Address: Bethel Church 108 North York Street Nicholasville, KY 40356
• 6th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk 06:00 PM–07:15 PM · Camp Nelson National Monument 6614 Danville Loop 2 Road Nicholasville, KY 40356

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

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.

Weather & 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.

Visitor center

Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks

Visitor center

Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks

Visitor center

Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks

Visitor center

Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks — The Visitor Center, Museum, and Reconstructed Barracks are currently open 5-days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Visitor Center includes a museum and a short film (17 min.) about Camp Nelson's role during the American Civil War. The award-winning… — Camp Nelson National Monument is located along highway US 27 about 20 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky, 6 miles south of Nicholasville on US 27, and 7.5 miles southeast of Wilmore along US 1268. The park entrance is on the original Danville Pike, adjacent to US 27, one mile north of the Camp Nelson National Cemetery. The visitor center is just inside the park gates.

Facilities on the park map

1 changing table, 1 mobility rental, 4 restroom, 4 visitor information.

History

Opened

2018

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened