Camden, Arkansas is a small city located in the southern part of the state and has a rich history. As of 2020, the population was 12,919. The city has a diverse population. Camden's recorded history began in 1782 when a Spanish military post was established there. Camden is located on bluffs over the Ouachita River and developed because of that river. It became an important port in the 1800s. A significant historical site in Camden is the Camden Expedition Battlefield, where the Battle of Camden took place during the Civil War. The battlefield is now a National Historic Landmark, and visitors can take guided tours.
If you are interested in art and culture, the Ouachita County Historical Society Museum is a great place to start. The museum features exhibits about the Civil War, local industries, and the history of the Ouachita River. The Camden Arts Center is another popular destination featuring rotating contemporary art exhibitions, classes, and workshops. Also, Camden City Park is a great spot for a picnic or a stroll and features a playground and a pond. More adventure is available at The South Camden Trail, a popular spot for hiking and mountain biking. It also allows access to beautiful views of the Ouachita Mountains.
The Camden Botanical Garden is another must-see destination, which features a wide variety of plants and flowers and a Japanese garden. Camden also has several annual events to enjoy. The Ouachita County Fair is held every October and features live music, carnival rides, and food and craft vendors. The Camden Christmas Parade is held every December and features floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus. Stop by The Iron Skillet, a popular spot for homestyle cooking, or The Coffee Shop for a casual breakfast or lunch. Visitors preferring an upscale dining experience can opt for The Grill. It offers steak and seafood. A fun night out can begin at The Main Street Pub, a popular spot for live music and local beers. The Camden Club is another great place to grab a drink and watch a game.
Campgrounds Near Camden, Arkansas
Experience the best of RV camping at Country Living RV Park. Enjoy excellent facilities, shaded lots, and proximity to local outdoor attractions. Be sure to reserve in advance because it's a popular spot. The park is in a wooded area with plenty of shade and is near theme parks. The park offers 40 RV sites with a 44-foot length limit, full hookups, back-in and pull-through sites, showers, Wi-Fi, fresh water, laundry facilities, and a sewer.
Barnyard RV Park is a peaceful, shaded spot perfect for families. It's a quiet, clean, and no-frills place where you can park your RV and is conveniently located near grocery stores and other shops. Additionally, you can find a nearby restaurant, fresh water, laundry, Wi-Fi, cable TV, sewer, showers, and cell reception. It's a great place to rest and refuel for the night with 26 RV sites, full hookups, 30- and 50-amp availability, and both back-in and pull-through sites. Pets are also allowed.
Gator Den RV Park offers a unique camping experience on the shores of a 12-acre lake, where visitors can fish or observe alligators. Located just minutes from El Dorado, the park offers easy access to shops, theaters, and restaurants since it is close to downtown El Dorado. You will have access to Walmart, Oriental Gardens, and Larry's Pizza. The park features hard-surfaced roads and large sites with full hookups, 30- and 50-amp options, and back-in and pull-through options. Pets are allowed, and there is good cell reception. With 96 RV sites available, Gator Den RV Park is a great option.
State Parks Near Camden, Arkansas
Lake Catherine State Park, named after its beautiful lake, offers a serene setting for outdoor activities such as bird and wildlife watching, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more. With mild weather and boat rentals, a launch ramp, picnic sites, playgrounds, and a waterfall trail, it's a great destination. The park also offers wheelchair-accessible fishing areas and a full-moon kayak tour of the lake.
Located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, Crater of Diamonds State Park is a unique destination. This park is known for being one of the only places in the world where individuals can prospect for diamonds at their source, which is a volcanic deposit. On average, visitors discover two diamonds on the 37-acre plot each day. Other than finding diamonds, visitors can enjoy hiking, walking, fishing, and waterplay.
Cane Creek State Park, located in Lincoln County, Arkansas, offers a diverse landscape of natural beauty. The park includes the 1,675-acre Cane Creek Lake, which borders the vast Bayou Bartholomew. Cane Creek has been open to the public since 1973 when it was developed and maintained by the Arkansas Game and Blessing Commission. The park's features are deep draws, rolling hills, and steep ridges, and visitors can take day trips to nearby cities like Gould and Grady. The nearby Cane Creek Lake offers access to boating, water skiing, kayaking, and canoeing.
National Sites Near Camden, Arkansas
The President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site in Hope, Arkansas offers a glimpse into the early life of the 42nd U.S. president, Bill Clinton. The site includes a visitor center with exhibits, a hike along the Beech Ridge Trail through a loblolly pine forest, and recreational activities such as fishing, canoeing, and kayaking at a nearby lake. Wildlife viewing is also popular here because the site is home to small mammals, owls, and other wild animals.
The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Little Rock, Arkansas commemorates the historic desegregation of nine African American students. The site includes the Central High Museum, where visitors can watch video clips of the students' experiences and hiking trails in Allsop Park and War Memorial Park. The Magnolia Mobil Gas Station and Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench are also onsite, and camping is available in designated campgrounds.
The Natchez Trace Trail in Tupelo, MS connects Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It looks at the area's history through sites like the prehistoric American Indian mounds and the 19th-century stands. Visitors can hike on the Leiper's Fork and Rocky Springs trails, camp at designated sites with amenities, and explore the Rosalie Mansion and the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture.
National Forests Near Camden, Arkansas
The Ouachita National Forest, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas is ideal for a family camping trip. The forest boasts an abundance of undeveloped oak trees and offers visitors a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, fishing, and canoeing on Lake Ouachita. The forest is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including raptors, birds, coyotes, foxes, deer, roadrunners, and turkeys. Campsites with sewer, water, and electric hookups are available for camping.
The Delta National Forest in Rolling Fork, Mississippi is a nature lover's paradise. This serene and natural environment is home to over 60 trees, including oak and cypress. Visitors can fish and boat in the forest's rivers and hike on trails such as Alligator Lake, Blue Lake Nature, and Delta National Forest. Biking and horseback riding are also permitted in the Greenville Cypress Preserve, a preserve home to waterfowl and cypress trees.
The Sabine National Forest, located in Hemphill, Texas, is a great spot for fishing enthusiasts. The forest's Toledo Bend Reservoir offers ample opportunities for fishing and other activities like birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Despite being the smallest national forest in Texas, Sabine National Forest offers a variety of adventure opportunities, including geocaching in the Indian Mounds Wilderness Area and stargazing. Visitors can also hike trails like Between the Lakes, North Toledo Bend State Park Dogwood, and South Toledo Bend State Park Hippie Trails.
