Campground Review: Columbus Belmont State Park, Kentucky

Working our way down the Mississippi from St. Louis towards Tennessee, we were hoping to find a scenic spot along the river to stop for two nights.

We struck gold when we stumbled into Kentucky’s Columbus Belmont State Park just before sunset. The view looking west from high up on the bluffs overlooking Mississippi River literally took our breath away.

We paid $2 extra per night to camp in one of the “premium” spots located right on the bluffs with a commanding view of the river. It was SO worth it to be able to watch the barges on the river right out our back window…

These bluffs have long been known for their domineering position on the river. During the Civil War the Confederate fort built on the bluffs was referred to as the “Gibraltar of the West”, and the Confederate army actually installed a massive chain across the entire Mississippi river to block Union supply lines and gunboats.

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There remains a lot to do in the park for Civil War buffs. The remains of the fort are located a short walk from the campground, the giant chain is on display, there is an old cemetery to walk through, and there is even a small museum on site. Every October historic re-enactors swarm the park to recreate the 1861 Battle of Belmont, the start of the Union’s western campaign and General Ulysses S. Grant’s first active engagement in the Civil War.

But we weren’t here for the history – we just wanted a place to relax, enjoy the view, and get some work done.

The parklike lawn offered a beautiful environment for working outside. Until the lawn care crew showed up with their power tools, that is…

Unfortunately, our cell phone data signal was slow and intermittent, and our booster wasn’t much help.

Even worse (from the standpoint of relaxing and getting things done), a lawn care crew spent the entire day mowing and trimming and edging and buzzing about. The downside of a beautiful parklike setting is the work that goes into maintaining it, I guess…

We loved sitting and watching the giant barges plying the waters heading up and down the Mississippi.

But once the lawn crew dispersed, the view from the bluffs well worth the annoyance. Magical, tranquil, and serene.

I would definitely recommend staying here. But unless you are coming for the Civil War history, make sure that you get one of the bluff-side camp spots. The rest of the campground area is rather typical and generic, but the spots along the river will take your breath away.

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Summary Details:

View: Barges on the Mississippi!

Sites: 38 sites. Only a few with views.

Facilities: Toilets, Showers.

Hookups: Sites have 30 amp electric. Water is available.

Cell & Data Coverage:

AT&T – Weak but usable.

Sprint – Marginal CDMA 1xRTT. (Dropped in and out…)

Cost: $20/night (no view) – $22/night (amazing view). $2/night surcharge on weekends.

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