Campsites near Gilbert, Arkansas feature wooded terrain throughout the Mississippi River floodplain and Crowley's Ridge, with elevations ranging from 230 to 550 feet. Winter camping offers less crowded conditions with temperatures averaging 30-45°F, while summer brings humid conditions with frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through September.
What to do
Kayaking opportunities: Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground offers paddling access where campers can explore the Mississippi River. "We did a bird watching tour that was incredible, we got close to so many different species," reports Lynn G., who recommends taking advantage of ranger-led water tours.
Historical exploration: The Civil War historical site at Fort Pillow provides educational value through ranger programs. One visitor notes, "Ranger Tyson informed us that they were doing a night hike to the Fort and they would be serving Gumbo for dinner around the campfire at the Fort. Sign me up! It was one of the fee based activities, but for $5 per person, it was totally worth it!"
Water recreation: Reelfoot Lake State Park Campgrounds features unique paddling through a flooded forest ecosystem. "The lake is absolutely gorgeous and Grey's bait shop offers boat rentals for $80 a day," writes Jennifer K., making this an excellent option for visitors without their own watercraft.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Some Fort Pillow sites offer exceptional views. Daniel L. recommends: "If you are staying 2-3 nights then grab campsite 4, in the winter months after the leaves have fallen this site would be stunning. It is basically a private overlook to the Mississippi."
Wildlife viewing: Craighead Forest Park provides ample wildlife watching opportunities, especially for bird enthusiasts. The park includes "a paved trail that encompasses the park as well as a dirt trail around the outside," according to Shelly S., making wildlife observation accessible.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. At Craighead Forest Park, campers report "bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained," and one visitor named Kyle specifically mentioned the "staff were extremely nice. Campground is clean."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Water levels impact site availability at some campgrounds. One visitor to Reelfoot Lake noted, "We immediately saw why there were so many unreserved spots...A good 90% of the campground was underwater! The handful of sites that were still open for use had pools of water standing on the site."
Site selection matters: At Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, terrain varies considerably between sites. One camper advises, "Some sites on the back sides of the camp ground are subject to erosion and can be unlevel and not ideal for kids," while another notes, "We were fortunate to get a very shaded site that was very private."
Insect preparation: Multiple campgrounds report significant mosquito activity, particularly during warm months. A Meeman-Shelby visitor recommends: "Bring citronella candles for your table when camping and try to put a dryer sheet in your pocket to ward off mosquitoes. In addition to spray these will make your trip here a bit more comfortable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground features "a swimming area next to a historic CCC building and bridge," while Craighead Forest Park has "several very cool playgrounds."
Winter visit advantages: For pet-friendly camping near Gilbert, Arkansas during cooler months, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers more comfortable conditions. Ryan S. explains: "We mostly camp at Meeman-Shelby in the fall/winter. We do not camp Spring/Summer" due to mosquito activity.
Activity scheduling: Take advantage of ranger-led programs for educational family experiences. At Fort Pillow Historic State Park, one visitor shared: "Tyson and Matt were awesome and the evening hike was surprisingly very cool! As for the park itself, they don't have a huge 'tourist attraction' like some parks, so it was very peaceful and not overcrowded."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: For pet-friendly camping with RVs near Gilbert, Arkansas, Century Casino and RV Park provides full service sites. Sharon reports: "This casino RV park has all hook-ups, is very well-maintained, and our pull-through site was level. They have free laundry facilities and clean individual bathrooms with showers, ADA accessible with shower chairs."
Extended stay options: Monthly rates are available at some campgrounds. Bootheel RV Park offers long-term options and sites that drain well during wet weather. One visitor noted that the gravel sites provided "good drainage during wet weather periods."
Weather contingencies: Many campgrounds experience seasonal flooding that affects utilities. At Bootheel RV Park, a visitor explained: "When we arrived at the campground, there was a sign at the self check-in that there was no water due to the recent heavy rains and flooding. Water was on in the showers and laundry but not the sites."
Legend
