Camping sites near Parkin, Arkansas range from established parks to less developed areas, with elevations generally under 300 feet above sea level across the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Located in the Arkansas Delta region, campers will find a mix of low-lying flatlands interspersed with Crowley's Ridge, a unique geological formation rising 250-550 feet above the surrounding delta. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winters are relatively mild with occasional freezing temperatures.
What to do
Explore historical sites: Village Creek State Park contains a well-preserved section of the Trail of Tears. "The Trail of Tears... made for both a lovely hike and a history lesson for our seven year old. The Crowley's Ridge region of the state is home to unique geological formations, soil and plant life unlike anywhere else in Arkansas," shares Laura G. about Village Creek State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Poinsett State Park offers fishing with specific regulations. "Fishing is catch and release only except for Catfish and Brim due to recently reopening the lake," notes Sean D. at Lake Poinsett State Park, which reopened after dam repairs.
Boating experiences: Mississippi River views provide unique boating perspectives. "Tugboats pushed barges against the current at a slower than walking pace. Trees with root balls intact floated downstream," describes Greg S. about his experience at Tom Sawyer's RV Park watching the river traffic.
What campers like
Multiple camping loops: Different camping areas offer distinct experiences at Village Creek. "There are 3 camping areas, two with water/electric hookups in more primitive settings, and one with full hookups including concrete pads. The equestrian campground includes stable facilities for those traveling with horses," explains Jonathan C. from Village Creek State Park.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. "The bathhouse is situated in the center of the campground and it has been updated," notes Ryan S. about T.O. Fuller State Park, adding that during their visit "most of the facilities were closed, but we were able to hike and enjoyed it."
Free amenities: Unexpected free services enhance the camping experience. "Right on the Mississippi River with a mix of pros and cons. Visitors praise the beautiful river views, spacious sites, and pet-friendly policies, as well as convenient amenities like free laundry facilities," reports Jordan B. at Tom Sawyer's RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding impacts: River levels affect campground availability. "This campground is right on the Mississippi River, only problem is if the river is over its banks, then the campground is closed. We had to keep checking to see if the river was down, campground was cleaned up and open," advises Christine U. about Mississippi River camping.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between camping areas. "We lost service about 5/10 minutes out from the park with Verizon so if there are things you need to search before do that!" warns Brittany R. from Village Creek. Similarly, at Lake Poinsett State Park, a camper notes "No Cell service for ATT. There is WiFi at the bathhouse, but was very sketchy due to the busy weekend."
Urban proximity considerations: Some campgrounds near Memphis have urban challenges. "The surrounding neighborhood made us feel a little uncomfortable as it was a pretty shady side of town. While there is a 14-day limit, it appeared some of the people were spending extended periods of time in the park," observes Nancy W. about T.O. Fuller State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. "The camp sites were the most well kept that i have ever seen. The bathrooms are the cleanest that we have experienced. The ability to walk trails, play on the playground or run around an open field makes this a place for families," explains Britt about their stay at Lake Poinsett.
Swimming options: Swimming locations vary across campgrounds. "There is a small swimming area for campers only, but this lake is not great for swimming as it is pretty muddy," notes Laura G. about Village Creek State Park. At Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Nicole mentions the park is "very serene and relaxing. Areas are very clean kid friendly playgrounds."
Entertainment opportunities: Unique activities can engage children. "We stayed in one of two cabins that helped to muffle the rumble of the trucks outside. There's big trikes to ride, a playground, and a basketball net," shares Inez W. from her stay at America's Best Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Different loop sections offer varied experiences. "We stayed 4 nights in the B loop FHU area. The sites there are large, and spaced out pretty well. If you stay in the B loop, you're about a two mile hike to the hiking trails. The A loop is much closer to that," advises Bob M. about Village Creek State Park camping areas.
Leveling considerations: Site terrain varies throughout the region. "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). Many back-in sites were longer than the pull-thrus. About half of the sites are on a slight incline," notes Nancy W. about T.O. Fuller.
Overnight stops: Several parks cater to travelers needing one-night stays. "Small, tight campground that has no amenities at all, but is priced accordingly. This campground has full hookups at every site, the sites are tight enough together that opposing slides wouldn't fit," explains Dale Y. about Delta Ridge RV Park, adding "the WiFi is rock solid. I didn't bother using my Starlink as I was able to stream from the campgrounds wifi."
