The best camping near Arkansas Post National Memorial

When you hear "post" at this memorial, think "trading post" (not a pole sticking out of the ground). This spot holds a lot of history going back to the 17th century. It was around before New Orleans was settled, before the Revolutionary War, even. In fact, it's the earliest settlement west of the Mississippi River.

Walk through some of the nature trails to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Explore Confederate rifle pits and imagine what it would have been like when 1,000 people lived here.

There's a really lovely picnic area, which sits right by the river under welcoming shade trees. If you're a birder, there are plenty of species for your tick list. Check out the bald eagles and waterfowl in the winter months.

There are alligators near the river but pay them no mind and they'll do the same for you. You're also likely to see armadillos waddling around on the lawns, nice and slow to make your Instagramming easy.

The visitor center is nicely laid out so you can understand what you're seeing, and the displays are quite informative. The Park Rangers are very friendly and happy to answer questions.