Fort Lookout, Redoubt in Ouachita County, Arkansas, United States

Fort Lookout is a large earthwork constructed in 1864 during the American Civil War to defend the town of Camden from attack. Built on elevated terrain, it commands a view of a bend in the Ouachita River, with thick earthen walls and old artillery positions still visible today.

Confederate forces built the earthwork between January and March 1864 to defend Camden from advancing Union armies. Union troops occupied the city briefly in spring 1864 but withdrew in late April due to supply problems and defeats in nearby battles.

The site tells the story of a difficult period when soldiers defended Camden and prepared fortifications for battle. Visitors can imagine the daily work of troops constructing trenches and maintaining defensive positions.

Fort Lookout lies about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of US Route 79, reached via Gravel Pit Road in Ouachita County. There are no marked paths or visitor facilities; the earthworks stand in reverted forest, and a house built near the midsection has partly disturbed the main work. Remnant trenches run east along the ridge from the main earthworks.

The earthworks sit on a bluff about 50 feet above a bend in the Ouachita River, and an L-shaped redoubt just west of the main work overlooked possible fording points at the base of the bluff. Each position could mount at least six guns of the period. Remnant trenches run east along the ridge.