Camp Nelson National Monument Trails is a 4.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Nicholasville, Kentucky that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and running and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This is a composite of the several individual trails located at the newly designated Camp Nelson National Monument. The trails are open from dawn to dusk. There is a nice visitor center with a museum and a 15 minute movie. For more information on the park and its hours/special events, visit the park's website at https://www.nps.gov/cane/index.htm. There is a trail map that can be picked up at the visitor center during operating hours. It will help you keep on track while walking. Remember to return it when you are finished. There are about 4 miles of trails within the monument. All but the green trail are mown grass trails. If the grass is wet, expect your feet to get wet while hiking. The green trail is within the woods and shaded, but the others are in full sun.
January 15, 2021Amazing day! So beautiful here.
January 12, 2021Awesome trail for a family or hiker. Great easy areas to walk. There is also a good up and down in the palisades. Fun time I will be bringing my son back.
December 27, 2020December 24, 2020Nice variety of open fields and wooded hills. Nice landscapes visible all around. Didnt see many other people, but lots of birds.
November 24, 2020Not really trails but a wide open field
October 22, 2020
October 19, 2020October 18, 2020Honestly the site seems poorly maintained. I wouldn’t consider it a hike. Most things were closed because of covid. We did not follow the trail to the major cemetery but walked to all the major landmarks. Very cool overall but needs some TLC.
October 2, 2020Mowed paths and bright flags mark your path. Grab a map at the visitor center to choose your way. (Dogs are welcomed at this site. Just clean up after them.)
September 9, 2020It’s okay there’s a lot of history and placards with it on there but overall as a hike it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great. Also I don’t know if anyone else has had this issue out here but I’ve never been on a hike where I’ve walked through so many spider webs lol
September 6, 2020August 26, 2020Not bad but not great. Most of it is a grass trail in the prairies, about 1.5 miles is in the woods. Lots of historical markers placed along the trail that gives interesting info about this place. Not sure why the clown who mapped this trail just stopped towards the end of the woods and just turned around instead of going the extra 1/4 mile to the Camp Nelson National Cemetery, which is a remarkable place...resembles a miniature Arlingtion National Cemetery.
August 22, 2020Somehow I ended up against the rock wall of the cemetery. Enjoyed the trip still.
August 15, 2020August 12, 2020Mostly field. Much uphill. Good history lesson. No shade though....
August 5, 2020Up near the interpretive sites, trail is great. It gets a little iffy marking wise once you get down into the trees and off the grass.
July 21, 2020Civil war supply/quartermaster center for Union Army. Some fortification re-creations. Lots of interpretive signs. Some shade but mostly full sun. Just north of active federal cemetery. All buildings closed during this visit July 2020.
May 30, 2020We went through the woods and went up and down hills. Otherwise the trail through grass is very flat and easy. Those information boards are educational. Don’t forget your hat on a hot sunny day.
May 26, 2020I enjoyed the history of Camp Nelson and walking around the site.
May 23, 2020This trail was okay but I don’t think I’ll come back because there were so many flies & other bugs that kept landing on me due to all the long grass on each side of me (usually bugs don’t bother me much but it seemed like a nuisance on this trail), & i also didn’t like how there was no shade & nothing to look at. You saw the whole field the entire time & it didn’t take you into any cool scenery. So if you’re just looking for a casual walk, this would probably be fine for you, just wasn’t what I was looking for!
May 3, 2020Had a wonderful time with the kids out on trail. Good stops to examine the old forts of the area. Trails were not clearly marked but easy to figure out.
May 1, 2020Not very clearly marked and soMe parts overgrown
March 28, 2020March 12, 2020Beginning and end are maintained, even trails past marked historical locations. The forest is why it gets the moderate rating. Some hills, but nothing terrible. Got a bit turned around once and followed an unpaved road briefly. No real impressive vistas, but a few neat remnants of old forts. Some flying bugs.
March 7, 2020Loved it, so informative. Great place to let the dogs off leash!
February 23, 2020Had a good time with Kami and the dogs. not to many people ever out here. it is a easy trial. Not a whole of woods at the beginning. on a hot sunny day have a hat and/sunglasses. Great place for the fun with the dogs.
