Camping sites near Manila, Arkansas offer primitive to fully developed options across the northeastern region. Located in the flat Mississippi Delta terrain, most sites sit at elevations below 300 feet with seasonal flooding potential in lowland areas. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months routinely exceed 90°F with high humidity levels that affect camping comfort.
What to do
Hiking historical trails: Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground offers several trails with Mississippi River views. "The trails also go along the Mississippi river and provide some beautiful views. They also have a small lake and available canoes/kayaks for rent," notes Rick P.
Night activities: Ranger-led programs add educational value to your stay. "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!" shares Shana D. about Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating options exist at several locations. "The lake area is beautiful with a small spring fed waterfall, a swim beach area and even a slide into the water. No fishing in this lake, but there is another lake across the street that looks perfect for fishing!" mentions a visitor at Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground.
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: Some campgrounds offer unusual quiet. "A nice surprise about this campground was how quiet it was. Not very busy when we visited we got to soak in the scenery in serenity. After days on the road and camping at several campground this was a nice reprieve," explains Sara S.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise. "The bathhouse is newer and clean. Each bathroom was private in that you had your own suite style bathroom with toilet, sink & shower," reports a camper at Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground.
Fishing access: Craighead Forest Park provides popular angling spots. "A lake that is great for fishing. Very family friendly park," writes Andrew H. Another camper adds, "We had the site closest to the water. Nice fishing pier and plenty of room for the kids to play."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the area. "Proximity to Memphis was a plus, however, we had 0 service anywhere near our campsite. Nice to disconnect for a night, but plan accordingly," notes a visitor at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes present a significant challenge in warmer months. "Unless you are in love with mosquitos you may want to stay away from here in the summer, other than that it's a pretty nice place to escape for the weekend," cautions Andrew S. Another camper advises, "Bring citronella candles for your table when camping and try to put a dryer sheet in your pocket to ward off mosquitoes."
Site selection importance: Campground layouts vary significantly. "You really can't go wrong with Meeman-Shelby. It is so damn close to Memphis that while you won't feel like you are near an urban center, you benefit from its proximity... Not all sites are suitable for tent campers. I would call ahead to ask what sites to consider if booking online, or just show up."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks feature child-friendly facilities. "The park had a really nice day use area with a new playground, pavilion area and picnic tables. There is also a basketball goal/court area near the day use area," mentions a camper at Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground.
Group camping options: Willow RV Park provides space for larger gatherings. "Nice place to camp, clean and nice site. Lot to do around," notes Ernie L. For larger family reunions, consider the special group facilities at Fort Pillow: "We stayed in the group site that will hold up to 200 people for Halloween and it was perfect. The group site is away from all the other sites so you have plenty of room for children of all ages to run around."
Kid-friendly water features: Several parks offer water activities specifically designed for children. "Kids had a blast here! We did paddle boating and walked the trails!" shares Donna M. about Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Green's Quiet Acre offers level spots with minimal setup issues. "The lot was clean, level, and had full hookups. Quiet, safe location with easy access to town. Owner was friendly and made everything simple," notes a reviewer.
RV length considerations: Several parks have space limitations. "The campground has great tent spots and a variety of paved spots. Some are really small, so make sure to take rv length into consideration," advises a camper at Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground.
Utility access: Most established campgrounds provide hookups but with variations. "We camped here right after we got our Jayco 2012 travel trailer. It was our inaugural trip. Campground is small but well maintained. The inner loop of the primary campground has been updated with new concrete and gravel and 2 sites (I think 6,8) are ADA accessible."
