Best Campgrounds in Mississippi: 2026 Guide

Mississippi camping follows the water. The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway cuts a 234-mile corridor through the eastern half of the state with campgrounds perched on scenic bluffs above its lakes. The hill country of northern Mississippi holds a chain of Army Corps reservoirs — Sardis, Enid, Arkabutla — each surrounded by rolling pine forests and fishing-focused campgrounds. Head south to the Gulf Coast and you reach Davis Bayou at Gulf Islands National Seashore. Mississippi may not be the first state you think of for camping, but its waterway campgrounds are some of the best-maintained in the Southeast.

Why Mississippi Stands Out

The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is an engineering marvel and a recreational corridor that most Americans have never heard of. The campgrounds along it sit on elevated bluffs overlooking wide-water lake sections, with excellent fishing and boating access. The Holly Springs and Tombigbee National Forests add wooded lake campgrounds like Chewalla and Choctaw that feel surprisingly remote for the Deep South. Mild winters mean you can camp here comfortably from October through April when northern states are frozen — making Mississippi an excellent shoulder-season destination.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Blue Bluff Campground

On the Aberdeen Lake section of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Blue Bluff is one of the most scenic recreation areas on the entire waterway with elevated sites above the water.

Davis Bayou Campground

Part of Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs, Davis Bayou offers easy access to barrier island beaches, bayou kayaking, and Gulf Coast wildlife just minutes from town.

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

In the Holly Springs National Forest near Oxford, Chewalla Lake delivers a sandy swimming beach, wooded campsites, and hiking trails through the pine hills of northern Mississippi.

Choctaw Lake

Wrapping around its namesake lake in the Tombigbee National Forest near Ackerman, Choctaw Lake offers fishing, hiking, and swimming in a scenic forest setting.

Clear Creek

Nestled in the forests surrounding Sardis Lake near Oxford, Clear Creek provides close access to fishing, boating, and swimming — all within 15 minutes of the university town.

Dub Patton Campground

Along Arkabutla Lake in northwest Mississippi near Coldwater. The dam project on the Coldwater River offers some of the best sailing east of the Mississippi River.

Hernando Point Campground

Another Arkabutla Lake gem near Hernando, with the same excellent sailing and fishing plus easy access from the Memphis metro area just across the state line.

Chickasaw Hill

A quiet, family-oriented campground along the banks of Enid Lake in northern Mississippi. The forested setting and calm waters make it ideal for a relaxed getaway.

Planning Tips

Fall through spring is prime camping season — summers are brutally hot and humid with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F. The Gulf Coast campgrounds are best from November through March. Northern Mississippi lakes peak in spring when bass fishing heats up. Mosquitoes are intense near water from May through September; bring strong repellent. Most Corps campgrounds offer electric hookups and modern facilities at very reasonable rates.

Find More

Browse all Mississippi campgrounds on our Mississippi camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.