Columbus-Belmont State Park Campground in Kentucky on map - US

Kentucky's best camping in the "Far West" is perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

You won't believe the trees at this park. There are some huge ones— cottonwoods, sugar maples, and oaks— throughout this preserve located on dramatic bluffs of the Mississippi River. If it's summer, you may be enjoying the shade of one of these trees while taking in views of the Big Muddy and the state of Missouri beyond. Mother Nature had a direct hand in creating such scenery and, inadvertently, in creating this state park. In 1927, the Mississippi River flooded the nearby town of Columbus. The Red Cross subsequently sent a fellow named Marion Rust to help, and he got the town relocated to higher, less

flood-prone ground, where it stands today. He also became interested in preserving the remains of the Confederate fortifications on the nearby bluffs. After Rust's efforts, the Civilian Conservation Corps came in and helped develop the park that makes for western Kentucky's best camping destination.

The park campground is situated on a high bluff several hundred feet above the mighty Mississippi, with the campsites laid out in a loop. The site-numbering system is odd here—you have site 6 on one side and site 34 directly across the road. Of course, numbers don't matter; it's the site itself that counts. Head up a hill beneath large shade trees, such as sweetgum and oak, mixed with lush grassy areas. The first few sites on the right, "pull beside" sites along the park road, are the least desirable. Other than those, any of the well-separated sites are good. Top out on the hill and come to the sites overlooking the river. These are obviously the most desirable spots, and they even have little viewing benches between them and the river bluff. Campers here can see far into the Show-Me State. Ten or so sites enjoy views. Turn away from the bluff and drop down a bit, reaching more heavily shaded sites to complete the loop.

In the center of the loop lies a building with laundry, showers, a playground, and the camp office. Because the campground has water and electricity, there will be RVs. But the good camping here is worth a little face time with the big-rig set. A view from here or the park picnic area will help you understand why this location was known during the Civil War as the "Gibraltar of the West." The Union thought if it could get below here on the Mississippi River, it could work on splitting the Confederacy in two. But first it had to get past Columbus. The Confederates built earthworks on the bluffs, which you can see today via 2.5

miles of self-guided trails. Johnny Reb laid a huge mile-long chain, on display at the park, across the river to slow boat traffic so cannons could be fired upon the Feds as they passed.

Ulysses S. Grant attacked the town of Belmont, across the river in Missouri. In the resulting battle, more than 1,000 lives were lost, yet neither side was able to claim victory. However, the South was outflanked and later abandoned the fort atop the bluff on the Kentucky side, where the park is today. Today, the tranquility beneath the big trees atop this bluff belies the battle of yesteryear. I sat upon a park bench one fine spring afternoon, looking out on the seemingly small boats plying the Mississippi below. Nearby was a cannon from the battle, discovered in 1998 and subsequently restored. Later, I

took a walk to see more history, imagining the men who were planted behind the Confederate trenches back in 1862. It is ironic that the catastrophic flood in April of 1927—which left only 13 buildings of what was then Columbus untouched while the rest of the town was swept into the river—resulted in the creation of this historic park. Columbus-Belmont not

only preserves history, but it also offers a serenity unseen in times past underneath the big trees.

Supplies are available in nearby Columbus. Remember that even though the campground is open year-round, some of the other park facilities, such as the museum, are only open April through October.

From Exit 22 on the Purchase Parkway near Mayfield, head west on KY 80 for 28 miles to Cheatham Street in Columbus. Turn right on Cheatham Street and follow it 1 mile to dead-end at the park.

GPS COORDINATES   N36° 45.886'   W89° 6.526'