6614 Old Danville Loop 2 Road Nicholasville, KY40356
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.
The Visitor Center, Museum, and Reconstructed Barracks are currently open 5-days Wednesday through Sunday. The buildings are closed on Mondays and Tuesday until Memorial Day, May 26, 2025.
Operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The grounds (including all trails) at Camp Nelson National Monument are open 7-days a week, sunrise to sunset. The Perry "White" House remains closed due to ongoing renovations.
Further questions about operations should be emailed to cane_info@nps.gov
All Park Hours
Every Day:Sunrise–Sunset
The grounds, including 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. Please see the Visitor Center tab for opening and closing hours.
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.
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.
There are no fees associated with visiting Camp Nelson National Monument.
Entrance Fee-free
This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
The Visitor Center, Museum, and Reconstructed Barracks are currently open 5-days Wednesday through Sunday. The buildings are closed on Mondays and Tuesday until Memorial Day, May 26, 2025.
Operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The buildings are closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
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 Barracks exhibits features the individual biographies of soldiers and civilians, and the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom panels.
The Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks are open 5-days a week (Wednesday through Sunday), 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. The buildings are closed on Monday and Tuesday
The buildings are closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving. and Christmas. The Oliver Perry White House is closed for renovations.
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.
Current Hours (Fall and Winter Hours )
September 2–May 26
Sunday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monday and Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks are open 5-days a week (Wednesday through Sunday), 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The buildings are closed on Mondays and Tuesday.
Standard Hours
Sunday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monday and Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Visitor Center, Museum, and Reconstructed Barracks are open 5-days a week (Wednesday through Sunday). Operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The buildings are closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
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 Barracks exhibits features the individual biographies of soldiers and civilians, and the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom panels.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Spring and Summer Hours
May 26–September 1
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks are open 7-days a week, from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm, beginning on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, to Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025.
The park grounds and hiking trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Fall and Winter Hours
September 2–May 26
Sunday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monday and Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Visitor Center, Museum, and Barracks are open 5-days a week (Wednesday through Sunday), 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The buildings are closed on Mondays and Tuesday.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
Closed
Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 19, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Independence Day
July 4, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Labor Day
September 1, 2025
Closed
Columbus Day
October 13, 2025
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Holiday
Date
Hours
Plan Your Visit
Find all the info you need for planning your day at Camp Nelson National Monument.
