Camden Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Arkansas region, Camden is a city that holds a rich history and offers a plethora of exciting experiences for visitors. Steeped in Southern charm, this hidden gem is a must-visit destination for those seeking a unique and diverse travel experience.

One of the highlights of Camden is its vibrant downtown area. Stroll along the charming streets lined with historic buildings, boutique shops, and cozy cafes. Immerse yourself in the local culture as you explore the various art galleries and craft stores, showcasing the talents of the region's artisans. Don't miss the opportunity to sample some delicious Southern cuisine at one of the many local restaurants, where you can savor mouthwatering dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, and pecan pie.

For history enthusiasts, Camden offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. Step back in time as you visit the stunning Ouachita County Courthouse, a magnificent building that dates back to the late 19th century. Take a guided tour of Fort Southerland Park, where you can learn about the city's involvement in the Civil War and view the remnants of the fortifications that once protected the area.

Nature lovers will find solace in the stunning natural beauty that surrounds Camden. Spend a day exploring the breathtaking hiking trails at Poison Springs State Forest, where you can marvel at the diverse flora and fauna that call this area home. For a unique experience, embark on a scenic boat tour along the Ouachita River, where you can soak in the tranquility of the water and catch glimpses of the local wildlife.

Camden is also known for its vibrant events and festivals. Plan your visit during the Camden Daffodil Festival, held annually in March, and be enchanted by the sea of blooming daffodils that adorn the city. Enjoy live music, local arts and crafts, and indulge in delicious food from the various vendors.

Alternative names: Population: 11.3 thous.Area: 16.5 mi²Elevation: 200 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 33°35'5"N, 92°50'4"W

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ArkansasUnited States

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Camden Top Attractions

Camden Attractions - What to See and Explore

Camden offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Poison Springs Battleground State Park, Camden Confederate Monument, McCollum-Chidester House, Oakland Cemetery. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

State park • Park
Poison Springs Battleground State Park
Poison Springs Battleground State Park is an Arkansas state park located southeast of Bluff City. It commemorates the Battle of Poison Spring in the American Civil War, which was part of the 1864 Camden Expedition, an element of a Union Army initiative to gain control of Shreveport, Louisiana and get a foothold in Texas.
Memorial
Camden Confederate Monument
The Camden Confederate Monument, also known as the Confederate Women's Memorial, is located on the grounds of the Ouachita County Courthouse in Camden, Arkansas.
Historical place • History museum • Museum
McCollum-Chidester House
The McCollum-Chidester House is a historic house at 926 Washington Street NW in Camden, Arkansas. It is now a museum operated by the Ouachita County Historical Society, along with the Leake-Ingham Building at the rear of the property.

Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery
Oakland Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Camden, Arkansas, located on Maul Road between Pearl Street and Madison Avenue. Established in 1830, it is the city's oldest cemetery. It consists of just over 7 acres of land donated in that year by William L. Bradley, one of Camden's founders.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
St. John's Episcopal Church
The St. John's Episcopal Church is a historic church at 117 Harrison Street in Camden, Arkansas. It is a large cruciform structure, built out of brick with trim of concrete cast to resemble stone.
Bridge
Ben Laney Bridge
The Ben Laney Bridge is a historic bridge carrying U.S. Route 79 Business over the Ouachita River in Camden, Arkansas. The steel Pratt truss bridge was built in 1945–47, and dedicated to Acting Governor Benjamin Travis Laney.
33°35'5"N • 92°49'49"W
Ouachita County Courthouse
The Ouachita County Courthouse is located at 145 Jefferson Avenue in Camden, Arkansas, the seat of Ouachita County. The two-story brick and concrete structure was designed by Little Rock architect Thomas Harding, and completed in 1933.
33°35'5"N • 92°50'24"W
Graham-Gaughan-Betts House
The Graham-Gaughan-Betts House is a historic house at 710 Washington Street in Camden, Arkansas. The two story wood-frame house was built in 1858 by Major Joseph Graham.
Romanesque architecture
Old Camden Post Office
The Old Camden Post Office is a former post office building at 133 Washington Street SW in Camden, Arkansas. The two story Romanesque Revival structure was built in 1895, and is one of the city's finest brick buildings.
Forts and castles
Fort Lookout
Fort Lookout, also known as Redoubt A, is a defensive earthworks erected during the American Civil War on the outskirts of Camden, Arkansas.
33°35'6"N • 92°50'4"W
Sidney A. Umsted House
The Sidney A. Umsted House is a historic house at 404 Washington Street in Camden, Arkansas. The two story brick house was built in 1923–24, and is one of the best local examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture in the city.
33°35'4"N • 92°49'45"W
Tyson Family Commercial Building
The Tyson Family Commercial Building is a historic commercial building at 151 Adams Street SE in Camden, Arkansas. Built c. 1923, this vernacular 1+1⁄2 story brick commercial block is one of the few to survive in the city from this time.
33°34'52"N • 92°49'59"W
Benjamin T. Powell House
The Benjamin T. Powell House is a historic house at 305 California Avenue in Camden, Arkansas. The two story wood-frame house was built in 1859, and is one a few pre-Civil War cotton-magnate houses to survive in the city.
Greek Revival architecture
Elliott-Meek House
The Elliott-Meek House is a historic house at 761 Washington Street in Camden, Arkansas. The two-story wood-frame house was built in 1857 by James Thomas Elliott, a local judge and later state senator.
33°34'54"N • 92°50'38"W
Rowland B. Smith House
The Rowland B. Smith House is a historic house at 234 Agee Street in Camden, Arkansas. This single-story wood-frame house was supposedly built in 1856, and exhibits no distinctive architectural style. The house is L-shaped, with a four-bay facade.
33°35'3"N • 92°50'25"W
Rumph House
The Rumph House is a historic house at 717 Washington Street in Camden, Arkansas. In 1874 a single-story Victorian house was built, in which Dr. Junius Bragg, a Confederate Army surgeon, lived for many years.
Greek Revival architecture
Leake-Ingham Building
The Leake–Ingham Building is a historic commercial building in Camden, Arkansas. It is located behind the McCollum-Chidester House at 926 Washington Street NW, and is part of the Ouachita County Historical Society Museum. It is one of the oldest commercial buildings in Camden...
33°32'32"N • 92°50'50"W
Oakland Farm
Oakland Farm is a historic farmhouse at the northern end of Oakland Street in Camden, Arkansas. The 1 ¹⁄₂-story cypress house was built in 1886, and stands on one of the largest and most prominent estates in Camden.
33°32'30"N • 92°50'41"W
Tate's Barn
Tate's Barn is a historic barn in Camden, Arkansas. It is located on the Oakland Farm, a 96-acre property off Oakland Street, belonging to the Tate family, who were among Ouachita County's first American settlers.

Day trips

Camden – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Camden, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Clinton Birthplace (Hope), El Dorado Confederate Monument (El Dorado), Arkadelphia Confederate Monument (Arkadelphia).

44 milesW
Museum, Historical place, History museum
Clinton Birthplace, Hope
The President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site is located in Hope, Arkansas. Built in 1917 by Dr. H. S.
28 milesS
Memorial
El Dorado Confederate Monument, El Dorado
The El Dorado Confederate Monument is located on the grounds of the Union County Courthouse in El Dorado, Arkansas, near the corner of North Main and South Washington Streets.
39 milesN
Memorial
Arkadelphia Confederate Monument, Arkadelphia
The Arkadelphia Confederate Monument is located on the grounds of the Clark County Courthouse in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The sculpture, which depicts a Confederate Army soldier, was carved from Italian marble, and is mounted on a base of Georgia marble. It was designed and executed by R. P.
44 milesW
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Hope
St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Church in Hope, Arkansas, in the Diocese of Arkansas. The congregation was founded in the late 1870s, and celebrated its first service on April 2, 1879. It was established as a parish on September 7, 1880.
27 milesS
Historical place, Museum, History museum
John Newton House, El Dorado
The Newton House Museum, also known as the Matthew Rainey House, is a historic house museum at 510 North Jackson Street in El Dorado, Arkansas, United States. The house was built sometime between 1843 and 1853 by Matthew Rainey, El Dorado's first settler, and is the oldest building in the city.