Camden Parks are for Fun!

Camden’s parks are as unique and as diverse as any Parks System in the southwestern part of the county. The City of Camden has over 80 acres of parks, paved and natural walking trails, athletic fields, basketball courts, a swimming pool and a skate park, all of which provide something for everyone.

Camden’s parks are designed with you and your family in mind. You will find parks to fit every need, and equipped for all sorts of activities: picnicking, boating, swimming, tennis, soccer, softball, baseball and more. And you can enjoy all that Camden parks have to offer, free of charge! Camden parks are the perfect place for public events such as our summer concerts. Parks are also ideal for private gatherings, like birthday parties, holiday outings and family reunions. In July 2013, the City of Camden formally dedicated the new ¼ mile walking trail at Ivra Clark Park.

In partnership with the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce, the Parks and Recreation Department contributes to many city recreation programs, such as the Boys and Girls Club and league sports. It is all part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for the people of Camden, now and forever!

Camden Parks and Recreation…Come join the fun!

Park Rules

• Park hours (all City of Camden parks): Daylight until 10:00 p.m.

• Trash must be placed in proper receptacles

• No alcoholic beverages are allowed in parks

• No soliciting, vending or peddling

• Motorized vehicles on paved roads only

• Park in designated areas only

• No disfiguration or removal of property

• No fires except in fireplaces or grills

• No hunting

• No overnight camping

• Observe City of Camden noise control regulations

• Leash and clean up after pets

Parks and Recreation Reservations

Camden has gazebos and overlooks located in city parks that can be reserved for free (a nominal deposit may be required). All gazebos and overlooks are reserved on a first come-first-served basis beginning on January 1 of each calendar year.  Gazebos and overlooks are available for company get-togethers, family reunions, or just for a “day at the park.” Park amenities (including available electricity and water) are listed.

The Trace is a 2.1 mile section of former railroad that begins at the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce and continues northwesterly to the termination at a trailhead at the corner of Maul Road and Cash Road. The paved trail is shady and welcoming to walkers and cyclists of all ages. The trail is already popular with residents of Camden seeking a moment outside for recreation, social interaction and commuting. Play areas and exercise stations are planned for the trail.

Carnes Park is named after Samuel Jacob Carnes (1896–1958) who was also known as Jack Carnes.

Samuel Jacob (Jack) Carnes was the founder and owner of Camark Pottery, one of Arkansas’s premier art pottery companies. Camark pottery has become highly valuable to collectors and is featured in museums such as the Old Statehouse Museum and the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock (Pulaski County).

Jack Carnes worked as an investment broker in both the oil and real estate fields and was active in the civic affairs of Camden and other areas. He was president of both the Camden Chamber of Commerce and the Camden Rotary Club, raised funds for the Camden Hotel (a public service), contributed heavily to the War Memorial Stadium, and donated the land for Camden’s Carnes Park, where the town’s first public swimming pool was built.

Carnes Park Aquatic Facility is the only municipal pool operated in the City of Camden. Although the Aquatic Facility may be the only pool, it provides a wealth of atmosphere for your swimming experience. Tucked into one of Camden’s most popular parks, Carnes Park Pool is surrounded by shade trees and beautiful landscaping.  Activities offered, in addition to recreational swimming sessions, include popular water aerobic exercise and swim lessons. The pool is also available for private parties.

Memorial Day 2017, we also had the Grand Opening of our Carnes Park Splash Pad! Reminiscent of those days when we used to love to play under the sprinklers, this colorful sprinkler system provides cool refreshment on a hot summer day! There is no charge to play on the splash pad, but it CAN be reserved for parties!

Pool Hours

2023 Pool Hours – Tuesday through Sunday 4pm to 8pm

Swim Lessons

Red Cross certified swimming lessons are available to children and adults of all skill levels. Classes are available for young children and high-level instructional lessons for more advanced swimmers. Swim lesson registration is handled at the pool office only. Returning in 2024!

Private Parties

The Carnes Park Aquatic Facility is available to rent for your next birthday, office, school, team, neighborhood or family party! The pool can be reserved for hours before or after normal pool hours.  Rental fees depend on number of hours and number of guests.

For more information:

Call – (870) 837-5577

Amenities

• BBQ Grills

• Picnic Areas

• Playground

• Skate Park

• Aquatic Facility

• Splash Pad

• Gazebo

• Baseball Fields

• Basketball Courts

• Walking Trail

• Restrooms

• Community Building

• “Planting a Seed” Summer Program for Children

Contact Info

(870) 837-5577 – Aquatic Facility

(870) 836-3369 – Fax

Carnes Park Road

Camden, AR 71701

FORT SUTHERLAND PARK

Civil War Monument at Fort Sutherland Park.

Fort Sutherland (formerly known as Fort Diamond) and Fort Lookout were both part of the formidable fortifications started by Confederate troops and improved by Federal soldiers during their 1864 occupation of Camden. Fort Sutherland is accessible to the public and has picnic areas.

Amenities

• Picnic Areas

• Walking Trail

• Playground

Contact Info

Office – (870) 836-6426
Fax – (870) 836-6400
Bradley Ferry Road
Camden, AR 71701

Ivra Clark Park was named after Ivra Allen Clark. He was a graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1914.

Amenities

• Picnic Areas

• Playground

• Baseball Fields

• Tennis Courts

• Basketball Courts

• Community Building

The River Front Park opened in 2005 and is expected to be a bright spot on the Camden economic horizon. Due to the proposed placement of the Interstate 69 corridor nearby it is anticipated that this will restore Camden’s historic role as a transportation hub.

Amenities

• BBQ Grills

• Picnic Areas

• Boat Ramp

• Docking Areas

• River Walk

• Fishing Spots

• Amphitheater

Located on the Ouachita River in Camden, Sandy Beach sees plenty of activity during the summer months with its boat ramp, picnic areas, and a playground for the youngsters. For those with access to a boat, there are small sandy beaches to spend those hot summer days right on the Ouachita River.

Amenities

• BBQ Grills

• Picnic Areas

• Playground

• Gazebo

• Overlook

• Basketball Courts

• Fishing Areas

• Boat Ramp

• Walking Trail

• Restrooms

STINSON PARK

Amenities

• Park Benches

Attractions

Here are just a few attractions Camden has to offer.

Camden’s mild climate and proximity to nearby lakes, (some of the best fishing spots in Arkansas), reservoirs, state parks, and the Ouachita River offer unlimited opportunities year-round for picnicking, boating, camping, hunting, and fishing.

Sandy Beach

Located on the Ouachita River in Camden, Sandy Beach sees plenty of activity during the summer months with its boat ramp, picnic areas, and a playground for the youngsters. For those with access to a boat, there are small sandy beaches to spend those hot summer days right on the Ouachita River.

White Oak Lake State Park

A short 22-mile drive from Camden, offers camping grounds, swimming areas, fishing, scenic nature trails, picnic areas, and a playground.

Click Here to Learn More

Hunting

Thousands of acres of land in and around Camden provide some of the best deer hunting in this part of the country. This paradise for sportsmen also boasts abundant quail, turkey, hog, squirrel, rabbit, and dove hunting. Many sportsmen from other areas travel to Camden just for the hunting seasons in our serene and abundant environment.

McCollum Chidester House Museum

One of the oldest houses in Camden today documents much of the unique history of Camden, Ouachita County, the State of Arkansas, and even the South. This house was constructed by slave labor in 1847; after a land grant was signed by President James K. Polk legal ownership of the property was transferred to Peter McCollum. McCollum had moved into Camden six years earlier to manage a mercantile business that was owned by his brother. Once the construction was completed, he lived in the house for almost sixteen years before it was sold to John T. Chidester in 1862 for the sum of $10,000 which was paid in gold.

Chidester and his wife, the former Leah Minerva Crocker, had furniture for their new home shipped to Camden from New Orleans. They also added two large rooms to the east and west wings of the home to accommodate their needs.

John Chidester subcontracted a part of the Memphis to Fort Smith stage route from John Butterfield in 1858. During that same year he began to operate the Chidester, Reeside, and Company as a four-horse stage line. The following year he established the Chidester, Rapley, and Company to operate stage lines in North Louisiana and South Arkansas. This company offered four-horse coaches capable of carrying nine passengers with connections to Gaines Landing, Washington, and Hot Springs, Arkansas and Trenton and Homer, Louisiana by way of Magnolia, Lewisville, Pine Bluff, Arkadelphia, and Antoine.

During the Civil War the house was used by Confederate General Sterling Price while Camden was the site of a large Southern military presence. Then, during the eleven-day occupation of Camden, Major General Frederick Steele used the house as an outpost during the Battle of Poison Springs.

The Chidester family owned the house until 1963, and during that time, three generations of children were born there. The Ouachita County Historical Society purchased the house in 1963 from Dan and Tom Lawrence Chidester.

Today, the Society operates the house as an historical museum with guided tours, and the house still contains many of the furniture items John Chidester purchased when he moved into it. Also, the McCollum-Chidester House serves the Society in its effort to preserve yesterday for tomorrow.

Approximately 2,500 people visit the McCollum-Chidester House annually.

Visitor Info

Camden welcomes visitors and we want to make sure you have the best experience possible. Please review the materials provided below to help you plan a great trip to the Camden Area! Some of the historic homes on Washington St and the vicinity are available for tours by appointment.

Lodging

Americas Best Value Inn 

942 S. Adams Ave.
Camden, AR 71701

(P) 870.836.2535

Comfort Inn 

1 Ridgecrest Drive
Camden, AR 71701

(P) 870.836.9000

Holiday Inn Express 

1450 US Hwy 278 West
Camden, AR 71701

(P) 870.836.8100