The captives were initially held in the open, but a panic ensued in November 1863 when 800 new prisoners threatened a mass breakout.

[3] With over 2,000 new prisoners taken in Louisiana on April 8 and 9 1864, at the battles of Mansfield, and Pleasant Hill, the stockade was quadrupled in size.

[2] Multiple Union soldiers who were held as POWs at Camp Ford documented their confinement through diaries kept during their time there.

One such diary was created by James S. McClain, who had been captured on May 3, 1864, and was held until the final exchange of prisoners on May 27, 1865.

The park contains a kiosk, paved trail, interpretive signage, a cabin reconstruction, and a picnic area.