Camp Ford Historical Park

Review №1

Rating: 1

Left to rot and overgrown. Nothing left except a few signs with union propaganda on them. History is written by the victor.

Date: 3 weeks ago

Review №2

Rating: 4

Nice piece of history. Unfortunately, a bit ran down. Very senic.

Date: 3 weeks ago

Review №3

Rating: 1

The site is in poor condition. Lots of graffiti and no maintenance.

Date: 2 months ago

Review №4

Rating: 1

Its disappointing to see this historic site so poorly maintained. Grass was tall and area was not kept to be able to walk through and enjoy. Like it was forgotten as much of our history is being done today. Was truly excited but after just a short walk into the site we left due to the lack of maintenance.

Date: 2 months ago

Review №5

Rating: 5

Historical place where the misfortunes of a civil war can be seen. Interesting to explore

Date: 3 months ago

Review №6

Rating: 3

Not much to see or do. Historical army camp, but its on a busy highway, should be out in the sticks, but whatever...

Date: 3 months ago

Review №7

Rating: 5

Super interesting historical place

Date: 3 months ago

Review №8

Rating: 5

Date: 4 months ago

Review №9

Rating: 4

Great stories that bring the local history to life. But the Smith County Historical Society should be held accountable for the maintenance... its in shambles.

Date: 5 months ago

Review №10

Rating: 4

This was a cool place to learn about a part of history. It is a self-guided tour so that you can read the information and walk at your own pace. It was fascinating and it was free! However, it could use some cleaning up. We saw trash all over the ground throughout the entire park.

Date: 5 months ago

Review №11

Rating: 5

Definitely an unique place to visit if you enjoy history.

Date: 5 months ago

Review №12

Rating: 5

Date: 5 months ago

Review №13

Rating: 5

Took my 4 homeschooled grandchildren to learn some local history. It was interesting and the kids loved it.

Date: 5 months ago

Review №14

Rating: 3

So sad to see the disarray and destruction of plaques and fencing. Trash everywhere. Paved trails in need of repair especially for ADA standards. Major repairs needed. I took out of town guesses and was extremely disappointed. Please make this Historic Fort worth going to again. Thanks

Date: 6 months ago

Review №15

Rating: 5

Entrance is before the light. History at its finest and its free.

Date: 6 months ago

Review №16

Rating: 5

Date: 6 months ago

Review №17

Rating: 5

Very good food especially the attention

Date: 7 months ago

Review №18

Rating: 4

Self-Guided Tour. Interesting how someone made a trench to circumvent sickness in the camp. Unlike Andersonville, it appears to have been run a bit differently. The other interesting idea was how deep south and west.. the Union was attacking the South. I think, there were southerners and northerners as far west as Oregon. A quick 40 minute history lesson.

Date: 7 months ago

Review №19

Rating: 4

Date: 8 months ago

Review №20

Rating: 4

Date: 9 months ago

Review №21

Rating: 1

Nothing there except a parking lot. Took some out of town friends to see. Very disappointing for the City of Tyler to not take care of.

Date: 10 months ago

Review №22

Rating: 4

Wonderful place for walks picnics and such but some areas arent as well maintained but its peaceful

Date: 10 months ago

Review №23

Rating: 4

Pretty cool to see stuff like this around nice little walk around the park and learn some history too

Date: 10 months ago

Review №24

Rating: 5

Date: 11 months ago

Review №25

Rating: 3

Date: 11 months ago

Review №26

Rating: 4

Date: 11 months ago

Review №27

Rating: 5

Date: a year ago

Review №28

Rating: 2

Date: a year ago

Review №29

Rating: 5

Interesting reading about war

Date: a year ago

Review №30

Rating: 2

We have talked about visiting this place for a while and finally stopped. The walk was nice and it was pretty shaded. We were just a little disappointed that it wasnt more visual

Date: a year ago

Review №31

Rating: 3

Can use some update, cleaning landscape,road inside large hole be careful.

Date: a year ago

Review №32

Rating: 1

The park is run down homeless people fiicol on the trail brokensaringe laying in walkway The mayor of Tyler should be ashamed of themselves

Date: a year ago

Review №33

Rating: 1

There nothing there

Date: a year ago

Review №34

Rating: 5

This place is a good place to pull over and stretch your legs. It was raining and we stayed under the pavilion.

Date: a year ago

Review №35

Rating: 4

Great for historical info not the best to go walking, we still like to go sometimes and go through the woods and what not :) just be aware homeless people often set up camp here!

Date: a year ago

Review №36

Rating: 2

It s ok . Nothing to see and just info boards to read. I wouldn t suggest unless you just happen to be close.

Date: a year ago

Review №37

Rating: 3

Needs some work right now. Still enjoy walking the trails and sitting in my car to soak in the atmosphere I dont know whats going on with the trash can but it needs a new one

Date: a year ago

Review №38

Rating: 5

Nice park that has some history. Good for a little walk

Date: a year ago

Review №39

Rating: 3

Nice walk. This park does need help.. signs all burned damage needs fixing. Better lay out needed but I did enjoy it.

Date: a year ago

Review №40

Rating: 1

Visited the site for the first time with friends yesterday. It was in truly appalling condition. For being in such a monied city as Tyler, I was shocked. I had half a mind to write to Smith County Historical that very day. It was truly shocking. Many plaques were badly damaged, or flat out missing, the only structures (3 small log tents), were completely dilapidated, the bridges had ALL rotted away and were heaped into the gullies, the pathways they connected were shut down, and there is also an ATROCIOUS tick infestation. We were picking ticks off our clothing for hours after leaving, we were all covered in them. Theres simply no excuse for the neglect. Its obviously just a total lack of even BASIC maintenance. They arent costly, or even time consuming repairs to make... its all a simple fix but maintenance in general seems to have either ceased entirely or hasnt been done in years! Its pitiful! I have never been to a historic site in such terrible condition, even the most underfunded have been far better maintained than this one is. Really sad. I get the impression that the attitude is very much if we let it all just rot away we wont have to maintain it anymore. Theres almost nothing to actually see anymore aside from the information plaques and the 2 or 3 little log tents, so it doesnt make sense that those few things cannot be adequately maintained. Literally a couple hundred bucks and a volunteer group of teenagers could have that place done in a weekend! Theres no excuse.

Date: a year ago

Review №41

Rating: 5

Very informative and a nice walk

Date: a year ago

Review №42

Rating: 5

A great little slice of history to walkabout and read about.

Date: a year ago

Review №43

Rating: 3

Unfortunately the site is in poor condition. Paths are very rough and buildings in disrepair. It takes money to maintain the site and the county has not made it a priority. The information on the plaques is interesting but the site falls short bc it has fallen into disrepair.

Date: a year ago

Review №44

Rating: 5

Cute little park.

Date: a year ago

Review №45

Rating: 1

Nothing there just land

Date: a year ago

Review №46

Rating: 4

This is a very interesting place to visit, but I wish there were more people both aware of it and more reconstructions visible. I couldnt help but think that there might be a few eagle scout projects to be accomplished here.

Date: a year ago

Review №47

Rating: 5

It was cool.

Date: a year ago

Review №48

Rating: 3

Lacks upkeep, but the post were informative and the area is neuritis.

Date: a year ago

Review №49

Rating: 5

Date: a year ago

Review №50

Rating: 1

This place doesn t have much appeal, and on Halloween, we were hoping it would be scary and fun but it definitely wasn t.

Date: a year ago

Review №51

Rating: 3

The most interesting part of Camp Ford were all the informational signs they had up at the entrance. Those made it worth the trip. Walking around the grounds theres virtually nothing left to see.

Date: a year ago

Review №52

Rating: 5

Date: 2 years ago

Review №53

Rating: 4

Google maps has the correct location, but the entrance is not from Hwy 155... enter from Loop 323. This is totally self-guided with several informative plaques and a few walking trails. No facilities or services, but provides a good read of what existed at that location in the 1860s.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №54

Rating: 5

Date: 2 years ago

Review №55

Rating: 1

Very disappointed in this. Thought there would be more to see. You have to have a good imagination.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №56

Rating: 4

Date: 2 years ago

Review №57

Rating: 5

History. I like history. I had my granddaughter with me he doesnt understand anything but computer lock it look at it and said she enjoyed it she even commented on how hard life had to be back then.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №58

Rating: 5

Date: 2 years ago

Review №59

Rating: 5

Amazingly hidden history. Worth a little time to stand in some Civil War history.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №60

Rating: 5

Date: 2 years ago

Review №61

Rating: 5

Lots of info, and beautiful spot.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №62

Rating: 5

Neat little historic spot a few replicas of huts,though not well kept.Overall a worth the time!

Date: 2 years ago

Review №63

Rating: 4

Date: 2 years ago

Review №64

Rating: 4

The community could do better to keep the historic site and maintained.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №65

Rating: 5

This is an interesting place and is well kept. The numerous signs around the camp tell a lot about what went on in the camp.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №66

Rating: 4

I definitely recommend that families should come here! The only suggestion that I can make is that I wish the upkeep was a little better for it being a historic site. Its wonderful to learn about the history, though.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №67

Rating: 2

Date: 2 years ago

Review №68

Rating: 4

Great history of our local involvement in the Civil War. Its also a good place to go for a leisurely stroll. Get off the paved trail and walk through the woods. On the negative side, the place really needs some work. The garbage cans are overflowing and full of water, which should bring plenty of mosquitoes in a few more weeks. The cabin roofs are worn/torn. This place is too important to our history to be allowed to crumble.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №69

Rating: 5

Awesome historical site! Very educational, with rebuilt tents, and placards to read about the history of the place. It is all outdoors, so in the winter wear a coat. It is also a walk through so wear comfy shoes.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №70

Rating: 5

Date: 2 years ago

Review №71

Rating: 5

Neat history.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №72

Rating: 5

Great outdoor experience during covid!!

Date: 2 years ago

Review №73

Rating: 4

Date: 2 years ago

Review №74

Rating: 5

Signage is very well done and informative. Kudos to the community for preserving this site.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №75

Rating: 5

Date: 2 years ago

Review №76

Rating: 4

Sparse but informative

Date: 2 years ago

Review №77

Rating: 3

Walk in the woods; immerse oneself ever so slightly in history. Conditions must have been so different; even the little creek is now dry.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №78

Rating: 5

Date: 2 years ago

Review №79

Rating: 5

Very interesting to read the plaques about the history of the camp

Date: 2 years ago

Review №80

Rating: 5

We were in town for the Rose Festival and had an educational experience at Camp Ford. We did not walk around throughout the property since we were two females there by ourselves and no one else was there, but we did read all of the signage at the entrance, which made a huge piece of Texas history come to life. Definitely recommend stopping by, even if its only to read the extensive signage.

Date: 2 years ago

Review №81

Rating: 4

Well marked and documented

Date: 3 years ago

Review №82

Rating: 4

Just moved here and discovered it by accident. While I love historical sites, its unfortunate that the site isnt kept up. There is a collapsed bridge on a trail, overflowing trash cans, and its pretty overgrown. While the signs are informative, they can be a little vague. Apparently there was an archeological dig there in the 90s where they uncovered foundations, fence lines, etc. However; Nothing exists from that dig. They could have put up a marker where they unearthed a foundation, but you have to use your imagination.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №83

Rating: 5

Very nice and app kept Place

Date: 3 years ago

Review №84

Rating: 5

Very interesting but not maintained as well as it should be.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №85

Rating: 5

Favorite spot to eat takeout when in the area. Have never used the walking trails, but looks like a great place to explore.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №86

Rating: 5

It was amazing to walk around and learn about local history

Date: 3 years ago

Review №87

Rating: 5

What a great park and historical stop.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №88

Rating: 5

Excellent place to visit and relive history but unfortunately it is very abandoned since even the garbage cans are full and the architecture collapsed, the city of Tyler looks like it has too much money and it is sad that it cannot invest anything in its history

Date: 3 years ago

Review №89

Rating: 5

Vsry interesting. Never knew this was there. Great signs explaining the history. You could just feel the sadness of the situation. Learned a lot. Amazingly, a pretty wooded area.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №90

Rating: 5

This was the coolest stop on our trip! We love history. We had no idea what to expect. We showed up and was amazed! What a great learning opportunity. There were signs along the path detailing events of what took place. Our favorite tid bit of history was the prisoners that dug a tunnel to escape. Then the camp was enlarged and the tunnel was all encompassed in the camp again. There was great exploring while learning!

Date: 3 years ago

Review №91

Rating: 3

Date: 3 years ago

Review №92

Rating: 4

A little lacking in upkeep, but very interesting place. Been to Tyler many times and never knew about this historical site

Date: 3 years ago

Review №93

Rating: 5

Great preserved historical POW camp which is not well known by many!

Date: 3 years ago

Review №94

Rating: 5

One of the most haunted POW camps in Texas!!!

Date: 3 years ago

Review №95

Rating: 5

Cool little place to get out and stretch your legs. Several informational stops along the trail. We enjoyed it.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №96

Rating: 5

it was nice historical place to visit there wasnt much to it they had some pictures around the walking park and it was a little trail that you got to walk around in the fort but there really wasnt much to look at how many just look like a empty cleared Forest to be honest with you is still cool because they had old pictures of what it might have looked like back in the late 1800s what more can you expect from a place thats been gone for hundreds of years.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №97

Rating: 5

Nice place to just stop and see. Nice historical place. We need more of these.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №98

Rating: 5

Great place for lunch and a history lesson. Absolutely a must visit.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №99

Rating: 5

Date: 3 years ago

Review №100

Rating: 5

Very cool. Amazing to see the history. Wad a nice visit.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №101

Rating: 4

Found all the information very informative. Enjoyed the time spent there.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №102

Rating: 3

Date: 3 years ago

Review №103

Rating: 2

The place is falling apart

Date: 3 years ago

Review №104

Rating: 5

Love reading history

Date: 3 years ago

Review №105

Rating: 4

Date: 3 years ago

Review №106

Rating: 5

Date: 3 years ago

Review №107

Rating: 5

Even though it is on a busy intersection it is still a peaceful little spot of nature. The historic part is well maintained.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №108

Rating: 5

Very informative!

Date: 3 years ago

Review №109

Rating: 3

Looks abandoned. One of the bridges has collapsed. Some of history is missing off the wall, and a podium or two. And when was the last time it was mowed??

Date: 3 years ago

Review №110

Rating: 2

Park needs funding and attention.

Date: 3 years ago

Review №111

Rating: 1

Unsafe to visit

Date: 4 years ago

Review №112

Rating: 5

History and beautiful

Date: 4 years ago

Review №113

Rating: 3

Date: 4 years ago

Review №114

Rating: 5

Great spot to rest, learn, exercise or picnic.

Date: 4 years ago

Review №115

Rating: 2

Super run down, need more funds

Date: 4 years ago

Review №116

Rating: 2

No buildings other than 3 tent structures. Lots of signs telling what used to be there.

Date: 4 years ago

Review №117

Rating: 3

Date: 4 years ago

Review №118

Rating: 4

Nice place, needs some maintenance.

Date: 4 years ago

Review №119

Rating: 3

Date: 4 years ago

Review №120

Rating: 2

Very interesting to read and feel the historical significance but it has not been kept up in recent months.

Date: 4 years ago

Review №121

Rating: 5

Very cool place to visit. Awesome to be able to walk into history.

Date: 4 years ago

Review №122

Rating: 5

Date: 4 years ago

Review №123

Rating: 3

great place to go with the family. this place shows us a little history

Date: 4 years ago

Review №124

Rating: 4

Really rustic which is nice but not. The site needs signage because its unclear where youre supposed to walk. NOT at all ADA accessible as its kept as natural as possible meaning my visit day it was raw messy, slippery muddy everywhere after rains. The most southern part of site just leads you to walk towards trees into a dead end because of a huge gaping hole, a ditch about 8 feet.

Date: 4 years ago

Review №125

Rating: 5

Very cool

Date: 4 years ago

Review №126

Rating: 5

Interesting facts I didnt know

Date: 4 years ago

Review №127

Rating: 5

Date: 4 years ago

Review №128

Rating: 5

Date: 4 years ago

Review №129

Rating: 5

Date: 4 years ago

Review №130

Rating: 3

Needs to be funded for renovations.

Date: 4 years ago

Review №131

Rating: 4

Date: 4 years ago

Review №132

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №133

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №134

Rating: 5

Neat and informative place to see and feel a historical sight.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №135

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №136

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №137

Rating: 3

Its a beautiful park. It would be better if they could add the cabin shown on the info panel. We journeyed beyond the 3 structures hoping to discover more, but there is only woods. I give 3 stars only because its not well maintained. A bridge was collapsed during our visit and one other seemed unsteady. Would be great if this park could get more funding.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №138

Rating: 5

Loved it! I just wish the museum was open on Mondays! We will come back on our next trip to Tyler! My 10yr old and 16yr old really enjoyed the history!

Date: 5 years ago

Review №139

Rating: 4

Civil War Prisoner of War Camp. Good hiking opportunities, could use more details of what the camp looked like, but the bunks shown are excellent quality. Beware of the broken bridge. Excellent placards of what camp life was during the final months of the Civil War.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №140

Rating: 4

Could use upkeep.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №141

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №142

Rating: 5

Used to also be a Japanese Internment camp. Not on any signs though.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №143

Rating: 4

Nice walk. interesting information really available about the site.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №144

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №145

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №146

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №147

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №148

Rating: 3

I found trash everywhere and there is lots of posin ivy.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №149

Rating: 4

Date: 5 years ago

Review №150

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №151

Rating: 5

Very good food and nice atmosphere

Date: 5 years ago

Review №152

Rating: 4

Nice place.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №153

Rating: 3

It was okay but not what I expected

Date: 5 years ago

Review №154

Rating: 3

Cool place

Date: 5 years ago

Review №155

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №156

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №157

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №158

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №159

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №160

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №161

Rating: 3

Tree over trail. Trash cans full, critters had raised trash can. Needs some TLC

Date: 5 years ago

Review №162

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №163

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №164

Rating: 4

One of the bridges is broken and a downed tree across part of path due to recent storms but my 11 yr old loved seeing it and the history.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №165

Rating: 5

Perfect for a picnic

Date: 5 years ago

Review №166

Rating: 5

Cool place

Date: 5 years ago

Review №167

Rating: 3

Great history there

Date: 5 years ago

Review №168

Rating: 4

Date: 5 years ago

Review №169

Rating: 4

Love visiting there. Very quiet.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №170

Rating: 5

Love this place great for a short peaceful walk and learn history.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №171

Rating: 4

Date: 5 years ago

Review №172

Rating: 5

Very informative

Date: 5 years ago

Review №173

Rating: 4

Date: 5 years ago

Review №174

Rating: 5

I was on a 34 reset, parked my truck and had a Whataburger lunch thats located across the street, took a nap when a voice said to get off his property, I looked outside my truck to see who was talking, nobody was there. Uh, it didnt have to tell me twice to get off the property. Respectfully I moved across the road.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №175

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №176

Rating: 1

Theres nothing there.. only people sitting in the parking lot smoking in their cars. No historic buildings, trash cans are overflowing. Was really excited to see this place, but unfortunately was pretty disappointed. At least it was free.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №177

Rating: 3

Needs a little upkeep

Date: 5 years ago

Review №178

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №179

Rating: 5

Humbling.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №180

Rating: 5

Love when they do the reenactments with tents, the outdoor cooking, and the attire. And Whataburger is across the street.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №181

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №182

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №183

Rating: 5

My favorite place of local history

Date: 5 years ago

Review №184

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №185

Rating: 3

History is lost everyday. Its great for a short brisk walk...

Date: 5 years ago

Review №186

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №187

Rating: 4

Date: 5 years ago

Review №188

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №189

Rating: 5

Awesome place to go for local and Texas history

Date: 5 years ago

Review №190

Rating: 5

I like

Date: 5 years ago

Review №191

Rating: 3

Date: 5 years ago

Review №192

Rating: 4

Date: 5 years ago

Review №193

Rating: 5

Loved it

Date: 5 years ago

Review №194

Rating: 4

Loved walking thru the trail, even in the rain. I had thought there was a museum based on their website, the is not. However, there is a nice kiosk with some great information and copies of lithographs from that time period!

Date: 5 years ago

Review №195

Rating: 5

Date: 5 years ago

Review №196

Rating: 4

This was an amazing, interesting place. I m very disappointed that it is so unkept. It is enormously important and I believe would bring much tourism into Tyler if it were more well known. It is still well worth visiting and walking down the paths; remembering the lives of the men held there.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №197

Rating: 4

I learned something I didnt know about Tyler.

Date: 5 years ago

Review №198

Rating: 3

It was nice to stop and read all the placards and even see a couple of the structures but i wish they had rebuilt more if it to really get a sense of what the camp was like

Date: 6 years ago

Review №199

Rating: 3

Date: 6 years ago

Review №200

Rating: 5

Nice place to eat lunch.

Date: 6 years ago