Sitting along the forested edge of Arkabutla Lake in northern Mississippi, South Abutment Recreation Area is a US Army Corps of Engineers campground with full hookups, paved sites, and direct water access from most spots. Reservations are now required, so planning ahead is necessary. The campground runs year-round and accommodates RVs up to 85 feet with electric, water, and sewer connections at each site.
Sites are generously sized and spaced well apart, which reviewers note keeps the area from feeling crowded even when the loops are occupied. Each site includes a concrete picnic table, fire pit, BBQ grill, lantern hook, and food prep table. Many sites sit close enough to the lake that campers can walk directly down to the water, making the campground a reasonable base for fishing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Water levels on the lake can vary, so the waterfront character of individual sites may shift seasonally.
Restroom facilities are clean according to multiple reviewers, though at least one visitor found soap dispensers empty during an off-season stay. The access road has a reputation for being rough, so drivers with low-clearance vehicles should take note. Tricia C. notes that "almost all sites have a walk down to the water," which holds up across several other reviews as well. Standard nightly rate is $30, though federal senior and access pass holders pay less.
Campers who want to compare campgrounds near Arkabutla Lake will find a few nearby alternatives, including Kellys Crossing Campground and Pleasant Hill Campground, both within a few miles.
Description
Overview
South Abutment Recreation Area sits along Arkabutla Lake and Dam in the hills of northwest Mississippi. The dam project is on the Coldwater River and offers some of the best sailing east of the Mississippi River.
Recreation
Families come to Arkabutla Lake to enjoy the great outdoors by fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and biking. Wildlife management areas around Arkabutla Lake boast a combined 30,000 acres of public hunting lands where whitetail deer, wild turkeys, quail and waterfowl roam. Several trails wind around the lake and throughout the nearby landscape. The Coldwater River Nature Trail System encompasses two hiking trails as well as an interpretive trail that helps educate hikers on the wildlife and ecosystem. The Swinging Bridge Nature Trail is also nearby, and includes a section of land that was part of the river prior to the dam being built. This trail is also an interpretive educational trail. Thousands of people each year visit Arkabutla Lake to go fishing. The lake is home to several species of native fish to Mississippi waters, such as largemouth bass, bream, catfish and crappie.
Facilities
This year-round campground offers 81 family sites and one group day-use shelter, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers and drinking water, creating a comfortable camping experience for guests.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on the waterfront, among rolling hills forested with a shady mixture of oak, hickory, beech, sweet gum and birch trees.
Nearby Attractions
The Lost Indian Spring Disc Golf Course is just below the Arkabutla Dam near Pratt Road. The course has 18 holes and is free to the public. The Senatobia Wetlands project is just a 30-minute drive from the park. It provides visitors with educational displays and an area to observe wildlife and waterfowl.
Charges & Cancellations
Once your reservation has been created, there will be a $10.00 fee to cancel and a $10.00 fee to change your site or dates. Cancellations made the day before, or up to the day after your arrival will also be charged the first nights use fee. No-shows are charged a $20.00 fee plus the first nights use fee. If your reservation is for 1 night, and you ahve been charged the first nights use fee, there is no $10.00 service fee.
Fee Info
$20.00
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have contractors conduct aerial herbicide spraying at certain areas within the lakebed of Arkabutla Lake for vegetation management beginning on August 1, 2026.Spraying is expected to be complete in approximately 2 weeks once started but may take longer if affected by lake elevations and/or weather.This is not expected to affect any day-use or campground areas at Arkabutla Lake, and those areas will remain open while spraying is underway.Please continue to monitor www.recreation.gov for information regarding reservations and potential closures.
Arkabutla Lake will be experiencing substantially lower water levels for an extended period of time. Long-term repairs to Arkbabutla Dam must be completed before water levels can return to normal. This affects boating access and water-based activities on the lake. Many boat ramps are currently closed with Hwy. 51 Landing being the only open ramp. Most day use and campground facilities remain open for public use. For more information, please contact the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at 662-562-6261 or 662-292-1992. For a full list of all affected areas and facilities as well as to get information on what's going on at Arkabutla Lake, please visit our project page at https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Programs-and-Project-Management/Project-Management/Projects/Arkabutla-Project-Page/
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSouth Abutment Recreation Area is located in Mississippi near Coldwater
Directions
From I-55, take the Hernando, Mississippi exit and follow Scenic Route 304 to the main dam. Follow signs into the recreation area; the campground is just south of the dam.
Address
3905 Arkabutla Dam Road
Coldwater, MS 38618-6548
Coordinates
34.7466667 N
90.1325 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/3/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/11/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 3/11/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 43 min from Memphis, TN
- 1 hr 33 min from Jonesboro, AR
- 1 hr 45 min from Jackson, TN
- 2 hrs 36 min from Little Rock, AR
