Arkabutla Lake sits in northwestern Mississippi at approximately 209 feet above sea level, covering over 11,000 acres when at normal pool elevation. The lake's water level can fluctuate significantly throughout the year, with winter and spring typically seeing higher water levels than summer months. Camping options range from fully-equipped RV sites with modern amenities to primitive tent areas offering a more secluded experience on the shores of this Corps of Engineers reservoir.
What to do
Fishing access from campsites: Dub Patton Campground offers sites directly on the lake with convenient water access. "Site 9 and site 10 are by far the most beautiful sites in the camp in my opinion. They are right on the lake and relatively separate from the other sites," notes one camper at Dub Patton Campground.
Kayaking and paddling: Launch directly from your campsite at several locations around the lake. "Almost all sites have a walk down to the water," reports a visitor to South Abutment Recreation Area, making it "a nice spot for simple outdoor recreation like kayaking or SUP on a lake."
Cultural exploration: The Chucalissa Museum near T.O. Fuller State Park offers archaeological exhibits with artifacts found in the area. "Chucalissa Museum is worth checking out if you are here," recommends a visitor who stayed nearby while exploring local history.
Wildlife viewing and photography: Early mornings provide opportunities to observe migratory birds and local wildlife. A winter visitor to South Abutment noted, "Because the ground was frozen the next morning, I was able to walk down to the water and get some great photos of the sunrise and birds."
What campers like
Affordable pricing: Camping options around Arkabutla Lake offer good value compared to commercial campgrounds. "Sites 'had electric and water. Campground had dump station, showers and flush toilets. Rate was $10 with Sr Lifetime Pass," reports a visitor to Dub Patton Campground.
Solitude options: For those seeking quieter experiences, Kellys Crossing provides primitive camping with minimal facilities. A recent visitor explained it as "an off the beaten path area for standard recreation... a good spot to go if you needed to get away for some solitude."
Spacious camping areas: The Corps of Engineers campgrounds feature well-designed sites with adequate space. "COE campground. No sewer. Water and electric. Clean and quiet CG with spacious sites," notes a camper about their experience.
Level sites: Most established campgrounds offer paved sites that require minimal setup. At Hernando Point, campers appreciate that "the sites were easy to get into and the campground was quiet and the setting is really beautiful."
What you should know
Winter camping considerations: Off-season camping offers quieter experiences but some facilities may be limited. A December visitor to Kellys Crossing observed, "I am visiting at the end of December, so there are hardly any other persons around besides the fishermen out on the water."
Site selection strategy: Some campgrounds have significant variations between sites. "Site 14 had electric and water... Rate was $10 with Sr Lifetime Pass. Verizon 1 bar, boosted got 2 bars," notes one detail-oriented camper documenting their experience.
Primitive camping options: Some areas offer more rustic experiences with fewer amenities. Kellys Crossing has been described as "more of a boat ramp than a campground. There are a couple of picnic tables with an few areas to set up tents."
Accessibility challenges: Depending on water levels, some areas may have limited access. A visitor noted, "Private property is close by and you have to travel past them to get to the public day use area so also be aware of that."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Not all campgrounds have playground equipment within the camping areas. One parent at Hernando Point mentioned, "Had a huge spot with lots of shade. Only complaint was there was no playground in the actual camping area."
Swimming options: For summer visits, pools are available at select locations near the lake. At T.O. Fuller State Park, "A lot of people do love to come here to enjoy the pool during the summer."
Clean facilities: Families appreciate well-maintained bathhouses for comfort with children. "Cleanest bathhouse we saw in 2 weeks camping trip... Cleanest bathhouse..gotta compliment the cleaning crew," reported a family who camped with children.
Site privacy considerations: Some adjacent sites may be quite close together. A camper at Dub Patton recommended, "I do recommend getting those sites together for a group. While they are separate from others, both site are on top of each other."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Recent upgrades have improved services at several campgrounds. A visitor to Hernando Point reported, "Sites are paved and full hookups at site. Nice view!"
Dump station locations: For sites without sewer connections, plan accordingly. "Campground had dump station... Dump station on the way out," notes a winter camper who stayed at Dub Patton.
Seasonal considerations: Water levels affect shoreline access, particularly for larger RVs. One visitor observed, "The lake was low, low, low. As there were only about 5 other campers there, we had our choice of sites! Although we could have had a waterfront site, we chose 75 as it was quite large and private."
Utility reliability: Power can sometimes fluctuate in this rural area. "We stayed 2 nights in December. Needless to say no crowds but the showers and bathrooms were spotless and warm. Easy back in spot with water and electric," noted a winter RV camper.
