Camden
Around Camden
Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Arkansas · 26k people
Camden
Locals say South Arkansas · “City of Camellias”
A friendly stop on the Ouachita River.
Cardinal RedPine Green
Welcome to South Arkansas, where the pine trees meet the Ouachita River. Come for the small-town charm, stay for the catfish and friendly folks.
Clubs for Camden
No clubs for Camden yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Camden. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Camden. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- White Oak Lake State Park Camping, fishing, and boating
- Camden City Lake Popular for fishing and picnics
- Ouachita River Fishing and boating
- Ouachita County Courthouse Historic downtown landmark
- Dallas County Museum Local history in Fordyce
- Outdoors Fishing on the Ouachita River
- Outdoors Hiking at White Oak Lake State Park
- With kids Dallas County Museum
- With kids Camden City Lake
- Evenings Evening strolls on the historic square
- Evenings Campfire gatherings at hunting camps
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Hunting and fishing camps
Through the year
- Camden Daffodil Festival March Spring celebration with flowers and local crafts
- Ouachita County Fair September Agricultural exhibits, rides, and livestock shows
- Bearden Fish Fry summer Community fish fry with catfish and sides
- White Oak Lake Bass Tournament spring Competitive bass fishing on the lake
South Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be outdoors. Best: Spring and fall
Getaways
- El Dorado Murphy Arts District and South Arkansas Arboretum
- Magnolia Historic downtown and Columbia County Courthouse
- Arkadelphia DeGray Lake Resort State Park and Henderson State University
- Hot Springs Bathhouse Row and Ouachita National Forest
Local flavour
Rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish Southern staple, often served with hushpuppies
- BBQ Local barbecue style, often pork with a vinegar-based sauce
- Sweet tea A must-have Southern drink
- Hushpuppies Cornmeal fritters, a common side
Where people go
- Small-town diners Classic Southern comfort food spots
- Hunting and fishing camps Deer and duck hunting, bass fishing
- Historic downtown squares Antebellum architecture and local shops
- Pine forests The Ouachita National Forest and timberland
- River landings Access points on the Ouachita River
Heritage and traditions
Camden and the surrounding towns are proud of their deep Southern heritage, from Civil War history to the annual Daffodil Festival, and of the outdoor way of life centered on the Ouachita River and pine forests.
This time of year in Camden
- Civil War reenactments Fall Occasional reenactments at Poison Spring.
Say it like a local: “Coke” — A soft drink, especially a carbonated beverage.
Festivals
- Camden Daffodil Festival April Celebrates spring with daffodil gardens, a parade, and arts and crafts.
- Ouachita County Fair September Agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, and carnival rides.
- Bearden Fish Fry Summer A community fish fry held in Bearden, often during the summer.
Landmarks with a story
- Camden Confederate Cemetery Final resting place for Confederate soldiers, including David O. Dodd.
- Poison Spring Battlefield Site of a Civil War battle in 1864, part of the Camden Expedition.
- Fort Lookout Civil War earthworks overlooking the Ouachita River.
- McCollum-Chidester House A Greek Revival home used as a hospital during the Civil War.
Food traditions
- Fried catfish Served at fish camps and church suppers, often with hushpuppies and coleslaw.
- BBQ Pork shoulder slow-cooked over hickory, with vinegar-based sauce.
- Sweet tea Brewed strong and sweetened, served over ice at every meal.
- Hushpuppies Cornmeal fritters fried alongside fish, a staple of fish fries.
Music and arts
- Gospel music Church choirs and southern gospel quartets are common in the area.
A little history
- 1864 Camden Expedition
- 19th century Camden as a river port on the Ouachita River
- 1864 David O. Dodd's capture and execution
Rivalries
- Camden vs. Fordyce high school football Annual gridiron clash
- Camden vs. El Dorado Regional basketball and football rivalry
- Game day High school football
- Game day Bass fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing on the Ouachita River
- Outdoors Hunting in the pine forests
- With kids Daffodil Festival
- With kids High school football games
Locals speak with a Southern drawl, often dropping 'g's in words like 'fishin'' and 'huntin''. They use 'y'all' for the second person plural and 'fixin' to' for 'about to'.
Only here
- The Camden Daffodil Festival, which celebrates the area's daffodil fields.
- Poison Spring Battlefield, a Civil War site with a tragic history.
- The Ouachita River, which provides fishing and boating opportunities unique to the region.
- The Camden Confederate Cemetery, one of the few Confederate cemeteries in Arkansas.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; pack for mosquitoes and wear sunscreen.
- Drive carefully on rural roads, especially during hunting season (fall and winter).
- Try a plate lunch at a local diner—fried chicken, turnip greens, and cornbread.
- Learn to say 'Ouachita' correctly: 'WASH-i-taw'.
- Join a church or community group to meet people quickly; small-town life revolves around them.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaEl DoradoArkansasWhere piney woods meet the oil derricksMagnoliaArkansasSouthern comfort, magnolia prideArkadelphiaArkansasSlow river days and diamond-bright nights.HopeArkansasWhere the pines meet the watermelon patch.MalvernArkansasWhere the streets are paved with brick and pride.HomerLouisianaWhere the pines meet the red dirt.Hot SpringsArkansasSoak in the natural beauty.Pine BluffArkansasRiver town, Delta heart
Camden, AR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.