Camping options near Ackerman, Mississippi sit in the pine-hardwood forests of the Tombigbee National Forest region. This central Mississippi location averages 54 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures regularly reaching 90°F. Most campsites near Ackerman, Mississippi have limited cell reception, with Verizon generally performing better than other carriers in these rural woodland areas.
What to do
Hiking Little Mountain Trail: Located at Jeff Busby Campground, this trail offers one of Mississippi's highest viewpoints. "Nice nature walk to a view, 1 mile each way," writes Jacqueline A., while another camper notes it has "good elevation changes" making it more challenging than typical Mississippi trails.
Kayaking on local lakes: Reflect, Renew, Resolve campground offers paddling opportunities on their private pond. "We enjoyed a couple hours kayaking on the big pond/little lake with some ducks. We ended up getting caught in a surprise rain storm while floating," shares LaRee S., highlighting the natural water features available to campers.
Disc golf: Choctaw Lake area includes a disc golf course for recreation beyond typical camping activities. Lynn G. mentioned this amenity noting, "There is a disc golf course nearby (but we don't play)," indicating additional recreational options for visitors.
Mountain biking: The area provides access to mountain bike trails for outdoor enthusiasts. Gregory H. notes that Choctaw Lake offers "access to mountain bike trails" among its recreational amenities, making it a good base for cyclists.
What campers like
Fishing opportunities: Bass fishing is popular, particularly at smaller lakes. "Large bass in the smaller lake. I haven't even had a bite in the larger lake," reports Jonathon B. about his experiences fishing at Choctaw Lake.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathroom facilities despite remote locations. At Starkville KOA, Xander H. found that "bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean" while Chuck S. praised their "absolutely outstanding" customer service.
Free camping options: The Natchez Trace Parkway offers no-cost camping alternatives. "This is a very popular one night stay about mid-point on the Natchez Trace Parkway," notes Kevin C. about Jeff Busby Campground, adding that "the park service provides nice bathrooms, garbage cans throughout the campground, picnic tables and multiple pullouts."
Swimming areas: Lake Tiak-O'Khata provides enhanced swimming facilities beyond natural lake access. Colette H. describes it as "a great family spot with a nice swimming beach on a lake with slides and diving boards. Great restaurant as well. Kids will love it!"
What you should know
Site arrangements can be confusing: Some campgrounds have unusual layout patterns. At Jeff Busby Campground, Stacy G. observed, "The parking is pull through but not clearly defined. Grills and tables were randomly placed," while another camper mentioned sites are "very close together causing lots of social interactions."
Tent camping limitations: Rocky tent pads can be an issue at some sites. Gregory H. warns that at Choctaw Lake, "tents cannot be set up on grass; only on their 'tent pads' (jagged rocks). I asked the camp host if any sites had actual tent pads instead of rocks and was told no."
Weather considerations: Summer humidity and insects can be challenging. Maddox H. notes that at Choctaw Lake "nighttime can be quite humid and bug ridden but if you're equipped for it i'd say this spot is great for beginners or family trips."
Reservation systems vary: While some campgrounds require bookings, others operate first-come, first-served. Pierre L. mentions Jeff Busby is "first come first serve" with "plenty of place for our RV," making it a good option for spontaneous trips.
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for kids: Campsites 3-12 at Choctaw Lake offer prime waterfront locations. Tiffany C. recommends, "Camp sites 3-12 is where you want to be. There is a playground for kids, a boat dock if you have one, or you can just fish right off your site."
Entertainment amenities: Some camping areas lack activities for children. Chuck S. notes that Starkville KOA received "4 stars only because of lack of amenities for kids, however, they do have games to rent from office."
Swimming options: The beach at Choctaw Lake provides water recreation for families. Gregory H. describes "a beautiful lake with a small beach" while acknowledging the campground has "very little tree cover despite very large campsites."
Restaurant access: For families wanting meal breaks, some campgrounds offer dining. Colette H. mentions Lake Tiak-O'Khata has a "great restaurant" making it convenient for families who don't want to cook every meal during their camping stay.
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations and fees: Plan your tank emptying carefully. Randy C. at Legion State Park Campground notes that while dumping costs "$5.00 but there is no one to pay! The sign claims you can pay in the park, the dump is outside the park, at the entrance or exit."
Site leveling challenges: Many camping areas have uneven sites. Napunani warns, "Few of the 15 sites here are level side-to-side. We had to get creative in our site #4 as when parked on the asphalt pad we did not have enough leveling equipment."
Utility hookups: Most developed campgrounds offer water and electric connections. Jeff noted during his Jeff Busby stay that it "has water and bathrooms" while being "quiet at night and in morning," which many RVers appreciate for overnight stops along the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Pull-through access: Some sites require careful navigation despite being labeled as pull-through. Jacqueline A. explains that at Jeff Busby Campground, "paved pull through sites are first come first serve. They seem to over lap and lots of folk share the sites. So you may need to back up to get out, even if it is pull through."
