Park Hours (Today)
Sunrise to Sunset
Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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About the Park
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.
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Visitor Centers
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 provides an orientation to the events that unfolded at Camp Nelson through exhibits and a 17-minute film. The Reconstructed Barracks features the award-winning Network to Freedom and Soldiers Exhibit.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Operating Hours
Camp Nelson National Monument
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.
- MondaySunrise to Sunset
- TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
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Photos
A stone obelisk in a grass field surrounded by luminary bags
NPS Directional Sign at Camp Nelson National Monument
Living historians portraying US soldiers in a grass field with a wagon.
Open fields of green grass with trees during a colorful sunrise.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Camp Nelson National Monument
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