Camp Nelson National Monument


The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. The site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for African American soldiers (United States Colored Troops) and a refugee camp for their families. Camp Nelson served as a shelter for civilians fleeing war and for enslaved people hoping to secure their freedom and aid in the destruction of slavery.

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.

  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits

  • African American Heritage
  • Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
  • National Cemetery
  • Enslavement
  • Forts
  • Military
  • Infantry and Militia
  • Artillery
  • Cavalry
  • US Army
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Reconstruction
  • Social Movements
  • Abolition Movement
  • Civil Rights
  • Tragic Events
  • Forced Marches
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Civil War
  • Women's History
  • Trails

In the Footsteps of Freedom at Camp Nelson National Monument

A living historian wearing a US Army Civil War uniform and park ranger walk on a mowed path.

A Park Ranger and a United States Colored Troops [USCT] soldier walking on a trail. Trees and people can be seen in the background.

Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center

A paved path leads to a gray wooden building with US Flag flying.

Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center and Museum

Camp Nelson National Monument's Pastoral Landscape

Open fields of green grass with trees during a colorful sunrise.

View of Camp Nelson's pastoral landscape looking northeast near the Visitor Center.

Interior of Soldiers' Barrack Building

A row of rough, wooden bunk beds in the soldiers' barrack house.

Visit the barracks to imagine life at Camp Nelson during the Civil War.

Perry House

A white, 2 story farm house with a Civil War cannon sitting in front of it

The Perry House at Camp Nelson

United States Colored Troops at Camp Nelson, KY during the Civil War

African American Civil War soldiers stand at attention outside their barracks.

African American Civil War soldiers fighting for the Union stand at attention outside their barracks at Camp Nelson, KY.

Living History Demonstration at Camp Nelson National Monument

Living Historians portraying US Army artillery practice loading a cannon

14th Kentucky Light Artillery performing an artillery demonstration at Camp Nelson National Monument.