Camping near Marion, Arkansas offers convenient access to both the Mississippi River and inland waterways. Located at approximately 214 feet above sea level, this eastern Arkansas region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Campsites throughout the area typically remain accessible year-round, though Mississippi River levels fluctuate seasonally and occasionally affect waterfront campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 2 lakes within Village Creek State Park provide recreational fishing with boat rentals available seasonally. The park's waters have "produced state record fish" according to one camper, making it popular with anglers looking for trophy catches.
Watch river traffic: Tom Sawyer's RV Park offers Mississippi River frontage with excellent views of commercial vessels. "Tugboats pushed barges against the current at a slower than walking pace. Trees with root balls intact floated downstream," notes Greg S., describing the active river scene visible from riverfront sites.
Hiking options: Trail of Tears section at Village Creek features historically significant paths. One visitor mentioned, "There is a particularly stunning trail that includes one of the most well-preserved sections of the Trail of Tears. This made for both a lovely hike and a history lesson for our seven year old."
Disc golf: Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park features a popular course approximately 30 minutes from Marion. "There is a disc golf course that is very popular," notes a reviewer who found this activity suitable for visitors of all ages.
Free laundry services: Several campgrounds offer complimentary laundry facilities, unusual in the camping industry. A Tom Sawyer's visitor commented, "Clean restroom, free laundry and free WiFi. This is a campground we would like to stay at again."
What campers like
Riverfront views: Campers consistently praise the Mississippi River vistas. "The sites are right on the river bank, beautiful. Sunrise over the river was perfect. Watching the tug boats moving up and down the river all day and night was relaxing," writes Stacey at Tom Sawyer's.
Spacious sites: T.O. Fuller State Park offers larger campsites with privacy despite its urban location. "Sites are paved with gravel patios containing picnic tables, BBQ grill, and fire pits. There are a mix of pull-thrus and back-in sites of varying lengths (some of which claim to be 80-90 feet)."
Wildlife sightings: Several campgrounds report frequent deer encounters. At SK Campground, visitors note that "deer come out in the evening" and create peaceful wildlife viewing opportunities from campsites.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive positive reviews at most parks. "Cleanest bathhouse we saw in 2 weeks camping trip. Gotta compliment the cleaning crew," reported one T.O. Fuller visitor, a sentiment echoed across several area campgrounds.
Access to Memphis attractions: Quick access to urban amenities remains a draw. One T.O. Fuller camper noted, "10 minutes to Graceland. 20 minutes to Beale Street, 30 minutes to The Lorraine Motel," making it convenient for cultural excursions.
What you should know
Road noise concerns: Interstate proximity affects several campgrounds. At Memphis KOA in Marion, one camper noted, "Small campground along the highway with a lot of traffic noise," while others mentioned it was "Surprisingly quiet for being right on hwy 40."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. A Village Creek camper reported, "We had no signal on ATT but there is free WIFI by the office which you can connect to day or night," highlighting the need to plan communications accordingly.
Seasonal flooding: Mississippi River levels impact riverside camping. "This campground is right on the Mississippi River, only problem is if the river is over its banks, then the campground is closed," warns one Tom Sawyer's visitor.
Insect activity: Mosquitoes are particularly problematic in summer months. A Meeman-Shelby visitor advised, "Unless you are in love with mosquitos you may want to stay away from here in the summer... I'm from the south so mosquitos are pretty much the norm for summer, so they didn't deter us."
Variable site conditions: Quality and levelness differ widely. A Village Creek camper noted, "Some sites on the back sides of the campground are subject to erosion and can be unlevel and not ideal for kids," indicating the importance of researching specific site numbers before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature recently renovated play areas for children. At EZ Daze RV Park in nearby Southaven, MS, families appreciate the "overall good stay" though one visitor noted the "playground is scary," suggesting closer supervision might be needed.
Swimming options: Village Creek State Park offers a designated swimming area, though one visitor cautions "this lake is not great for swimming as it is pretty muddy," suggesting families might prefer campgrounds with pools instead.
Educational opportunities: The Chucalissa Museum at T.O. Fuller provides Native American cultural exhibits. "Chucalissa Museum is worth checking out if you are here," advises one visitor, noting many campgrounds provide free or discounted museum access with camping registrations.
Security considerations: Some campgrounds offer enhanced security measures. At Graceland RV Park, "24/7 security" was frequently mentioned as a positive feature, with one camper noting, "They have a 24-hour security guard at the entrance and you must sign-in to enter the property."
Wildlife awareness: Snake encounters occasionally occur at certain campgrounds. One Village Creek visitor warned about tables placed in brushy areas being "a cozy home for copperheads," suggesting families should closely monitor children in woodland settings.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Many campgrounds offer various site types with significantly different experiences. "We got a riverfront pull through site, which was cool but not appreciated as much at it should have been due to the real feel of 95 degrees when we pulled in and zero shade to setup in," notes a Tom Sawyer's visitor, highlighting the importance of considering seasonal factors.
Entrance challenges: Some parks have difficult access roads or complicated check-in procedures. At T.O. Fuller, a visitor advised, "Play road entrance closed making for a high stress night entry from Memphis. Use W UseMitchell St entrance."
Electrical considerations: Power quality varies between campgrounds. At EZ Daze, one camper reported specific voltage issues: "I checked my Powerdog app and it showed 142.5 volts on line 2," suggesting RVers with sensitive electronics should use surge protectors.
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly across campsites. A T.O. Fuller visitor noted, "About half of the sites are on a slight incline that we would consider unlevel," recommending campers bring adequate leveling equipment.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups. A Village Creek camper pointed out, "There was no sewage hook ups (water electricity only), nearby dump station," information important for planning longer stays.
