Camping options near Marion, Arkansas span across Mississippi River lowlands at elevations between 200-350 feet above sea level. The area features mild winters and hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer brings increased humidity and mosquito activity that campers should prepare for.
What to do
Trail exploration on Crowley's Ridge: Village Creek State Park Campground offers nearly 7,000 acres with unique terrain. "The Crowley's Ridge region of the state is home to unique geological formations, soil and plant life unlike anywhere else in Arkansas. The Big Ben Nature Trail offers a great opportunity to identify these unusual plant species and is a short, easy hike," explains Laura G.
Lake fishing opportunities: At Hernando Point, anglers can access prime fishing spots directly from their sites. "We enjoyed staying so close to the water. We fished right from the bank," notes one visitor. Many sites are waterfront, giving easy access to Lake Arkabutla.
Historical site visits: Village Creek State Park contains significant historical markers. "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," shares a camper.
What campers like
Convenient meal options: Memphis KOA campers appreciate the on-site food service. "Very impressed they have breakfast and dinner + they deliver right to ur site! The swimming pool looks nice and showers bathrooms are some of the best I've seen since Michigan," writes Kari K.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many visitors note the cleanliness of facilities as a standout feature. "From the moment we arrived, we had an amazing experience. The staff greeted us and our pups with smiles, cozies, and treats for the dogs. The site is well taken care of. The laundry and camper kitchen were great amenities," reports Zack L. about Memphis KOA.
Easy access to recreation: Dub Patton Campground provides lakeside enjoyment with minimal setup. According to Wild Sage F., "Site 9 and site 10 are by far the most beautiful sites in the camp in my opinion. They are right on the lake and relatively separate from the other sites."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat impacts comfort at some locations. One camper at Village Creek State Park Campground noted, "Lots of trails and activities to do around the area. Wish we weren't staying in a tent and would have come at a cooler part of the year. Was too hot to do anything at the beginning of July."
Road noise factors: Some sites at Memphis KOA experience traffic noise. As Charles S. mentions, "We stayed here for a few nights while visiting Memphis. It is a small campground right on the highway with a lot of traffic noise. The campsites were a decent size but the mosquitoes were unbearable."
Site selection importance: At Village Creek, campsite quality varies significantly. "The sites themselves left a lot to be desired. It almost looks like major erosion has occurred since these sites were first built - at every site in this loop, the picnic table and fire ring are IN the woods, and often partway down a ravine," notes Laura G.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Memphis offers family-specific programming. "This is a huge campground... This was our first Jellystone and I was shocked at how many campers the campground accommodated. Most of the amenities and services are located at the front of the campground and includes a store and propane, playground, dog run, pool, showers and laundry, gold mining station, and sports courts," shares Angela C.
Pack for heat and insects: Many glamping options close to Marion, Arkansas require proper preparation. "Take lots of bug spray in summer, and maybe only consider horse camp if you HAVE a horse," advises Laura G. about Village Creek State Park.
Choose sites strategically: At Village Creek, some campground sections offer better experiences than others. "We camped 4 nights in the B loop FHU area. The sites there are large, and spaced out pretty well. Bathrooms were clean, park staff was great," reports Bob M., adding, "If you stay in the B loop, you're about a two mile hike to the hiking trails fyi. The A loop is much closer to that."
Tips from RVers
Consider seasonal access: EZ Daze RV Park provides year-round accessibility with concrete pads. "Level, nice concrete pads. Good hookups. Workers all very pleasant. Didnt get to use the pool or other amenities but they looked nice. Quiet location close to gas station and stores. Excellent WiFi and verizon reception," shares deb K.
Watch for utility variations: Some sites have power inconsistencies. "We experienced a problem with our Powerdog 50 EPO Surge protector getting an E1 and E2 code error from the pedastals. The errors state that if the power is above 132 or below 104 on line 1 (E1) or line 2 (E2) it will shut off park power," notes andrew about EZ Daze RV Park.
Satellite and internet access: Mobile connectivity varies by location. At Dub Patton Recreation Area, one camper reported, "Verizon 1 bar, boosted got 2 bars," while at Village Creek State Park, another visitor noted, "We had no signal on ATT but there is free WIFI by the office which you can connect to day or night."
