Best Tent Camping near Sicily Island, LA

This is a US Forest Service campground in the Homochitto Forest. The campground host doesn’t want the secret getting out. S/he jokingly told me “now don’t you go posting on social media” how much you love this place. But I do love this place. It’s definitely off the beaten track but worth the drive. It’s a great campground nestled in the woods. Some of the campsites border part of the lake and more are wooded. We stayed in the wooded area. Our campsite had a pretty picnic area with a wooden rail all around it and wooden steps down from the campsite to the picnic/grill area. There is a loop hiking trail around the lake and a longer mountain bike/hiking trail. The nearest town is Natchez, Mississippi so make sure stock up before you go to the campground. The campsites are mixed use RV/tent sites with water and electricity. They also have a dump station for RVs. There are two bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets. I have AT&T and had trouble getting a cell signal to make phone calls except when I was up by the bathhouse. They accept the America the Beautiful pass discounts.

It has 2 separate areas, both have electric and water at the sites. $25. Smaller RVs and tents only. Dump site at the entrance. There are trials, large picnic areas, and an older bath house with hot showers. Big pond for fishing and swimming.

This is a secluded campground, has tent/RV camping with water and electric. It has bathrooms with showers and swimming area in the lake, one side shallow and sandy for smaller swimmers, one side deeper. It has pavilions and tables, and great hiking trails around the lake and longer trails through the woods.

Breston was an amazing host!!! DEFINITELY call or text him to reserve a site. The historic plantation is absolutely gorgeous. We got the grand tour of the land, and Breston’s impressive herb farm. The love and passion Breston has for horticulture really shines through his work here. I’m a house plant nerd, and I loved learning about the ins and outs(and scientific names!) of outdoor plants! He’s got some for sale as well. We were going to pick up a patchouli plant, but I am spacey and completely forgot to ask by the time we left. 

Breston made us drinks with mint fresh from his garden, and offered a local beer(both delicious! He makes a mean julep!) His homemade gumbo was*chef’s kiss*. We walked back to our tent in the clearing behind the house with full bellies and good spirits. 

There are lots of spots to pitch your tent on property. We chose the clearing in the back, surrounded by towering trees, next to the levee. We brought bare minimum sleeping pads(just Nemo switchbacks and bags) and it was like sleeping on a cloud. The ground was soft and cushy, perfect if you’re light car-campers like we are. Just gingerly drive over a 110 year old sidewalk to get there! Southern hospitality is abundant here. We can’t thank Breston enough for such a memorable experience!

This is a great campsite nestled in the Homochitto National Forest right outside Bude, Mississippi. The campsite has two loops with hookups for RVs and some tent campers mixed in. We stayed in primitive campsites right outside of the main entrance for no fee and used the park to fill our water. There are excellent hiking/biking trails in 20+ miles winding through the area. The spring itself was very chilly and refreshing after a long day of adventuring.

Clear Springs Recreation Area,located in the Homochitto National Forest near Roxie, Ms, is probably one of my favorite campgrounds within 3 hours from New Orleans. It's located in a beautiful section of the forest, complete with rolling hills and a lake.

The primitive tent only sites are located about half a mile up the road from the main campground, providing a substantial distance between you and the RVs. The dirt road to the tent only sites is lined with individual camp sites until you reach the back area. The back has a few small hilltops that have about 4 sites per hill. Each hill is about 50 yards from each other, again, providing needed space between you and other campers. All of the sites have fire pits with fold down cast iron grills. The ground was level enough for tents, and there's a good amount of trees for hammock camping.

The RV spots are located near the lake(pond), and have picnic tables and the fire pit. Some of the RV sites are more open air and without much privacy, yet some are nestled amongst the trees on the outer perimeter.

Adjacent to the RV sites are the restrooms, equipped with showers. On a very cold and frozen winter morning, I had decided to visit the facilities. To my great surprise, when I opened the door, I was hit with blast of warm air! So you can rest easy knowing that the restrooms are heated. There is a large pavilion that is open to air on three sides. the open sides have a railing with bench seats. There are also picnic tables located within. Most interesting was the oversized stone fireplace. It looks most welcoming, although I had no chance to use it.next to the pavilion is an open picnic area with charcoal grills and more tables. All of these picnic areas overlook the pond.

I understand that there is 17 miles of hiking trails surrounding the area. It looks like a large circuit with shorter trails interconnecting by the map.

I haven't experienced this campground outside of dead winter. I enjoyed the subfreezing temps next to a hot fire. I have been four times in the last couple of years, twice solo and twice with guests. I very much love this campground.

Select your campsite then pay your fee. We arrived Sunday morning in February and only two other campers were here. The sights are flat, well groomed, with access to the pond and trail around the pond. This place is such a hidden gem. New electric service at every site. There is also an extended 10 mile hike around the forest. If you are in an RV or trailer go for sites 13-22. If you are with kids and/or in a tent then sites 1-12 are perfect. Also… not every site can handle a large rig. First come/first serve. All sights have water and electric and there is a dump station. Bathrooms with showers at each loop.

Brad is kind and wonderful. It is in a beautiful woods. We planned to stay 3 nights. Stayed a full month. Would DEFINITELY come back!

PROS 

Veteran discount 

Easy access to Natchez Trace Parkway 

Quick checkin with friendly staff S

Site 38 level 

Concrete parking pad surrounded by grass 

Pristine clean private 3 piece bathrooms 

Entire park well maintained 

Site picnic table 

Quiet 

Good WIFI signal 

Trash pick up at each site 

Small laundry on-site

Great concrete riverfront walkway 

CONS

$3 reservation fee 

Gravel roads 

No shade site 38 

No campfires permitted at campsite. Must use“community“ fire-pit

All is true the park describes. Friendly staff, good and clean facilties, much todo around. And more, Natchez downton has a large and free parking, so you can easily do the short drive for the visit.

We spent a few days at River View RV Park in January, visiting Natchez and enjoying the view of the Mississippi River. The sites were pretty spacious and many have an unobstructed view of the river. There is even a nice paved trail on top of the levee.

The staff was super helpful with advice for what to see and where to eat. We will definitely return when the weather is warmer.