Columbus-Belmont State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Columbus-Belmont State Park is located in the state of Kentucky, not Mississippi.
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Summary
The park is situated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and offers a unique historical experience. Visitors can explore the Civil War-era earthworks and see the spot where Confederate forces attempted to block Union troops from traveling down the river. The park also has a museum with exhibits on the history of the area.
One of the main reasons to visit Columbus-Belmont State Park is to learn about the history of the Civil War in the region. The park's museum and historical sites provide a fascinating look at this era, and the park hosts regular events and reenactments that bring the past to life.
Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the Confederate earthworks, the Civil War Museum, and the river overlook. There are also hiking trails, picnic areas, and a campground for visitors to enjoy.
Interesting facts about the area include that Columbus was an important supply point for Confederate troops during the war, and that the Battle of Belmont was fought nearby in 1861.
The best time of year to visit Columbus-Belmont State Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park's events and reenactments are taking place. The park is open year-round, however, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and historical sites any time of year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area
Towosahgy State Historic Site
Coil Estate Wildlife Management Area
Winford Wildlife Management Area