Arkabutla Lake sits at approximately 238 feet above sea level and covers 11,240 acres when at normal pool elevation. Located in northwestern Mississippi, the lake experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Most campsites around Arkabutla Lake feature level concrete pads with varying degrees of shade depending on location.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Arkabutla Lake is recognized for quality fishing, particularly for crappie, bass, and catfish. The Wallace Creek area provides excellent bank fishing access. "The lake is very popular for fishing and there is a boat launch/fish cleaning station," notes a visitor at Wallace Creek.
Disc golf course: Wall Doxey State Park features a complete disc golf course through pine forest terrain. "The highlight for us is the disc golf course the winds through the pine forest," shares one camper at Wall Doxey State Park Campground.
North Mississippi Fish Hatchery: Located near Enid Dam, this educational facility offers tours for a small fee. "The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery (by the Enid Dam) is a fun place to visit and tour for very small fee," according to a visitor to Wallace Creek.
Trail of Tears hiking: Village Creek State Park preserves a significant historical section of the Trail of Tears. "There is a particularly stunning trail that includes one of the most well-preserved sections of the Trail of Tears. This made for both a lovely hike and a history lesson for our seven year old," reports a camper at Village Creek State Park Campground.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Many campgrounds offer generously sized sites with lake views. At Wallace Creek, a camper shares, "Sites are really nice and spacious with paved driveways and patios. Some sites have amazing water views if you are able to snag one of those you are in for a great stay."
Clean facilities: Campground bathhouses receive consistently positive reviews for cleanliness. "The bathhouse was modern with flush toilets with clean showers," notes a Wallace Creek visitor.
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to Memphis, many campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. "Clean and quiet CG with spacious sites," writes one reviewer about Dub Patton Campground.
Affordability: Corps of Engineers parks offer excellent value compared to private glamping options. "They just added sewer with makes a full hookup at $20/night a total bargain. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, bbq grill, small concrete stand next to bbq, and lantern crook," reports a camper at Wallace Creek.
What you should know
Varying maintenance levels: State parks in the area show inconsistent upkeep. At John W Kyle State Park, a camper notes: "When you arrive the office is closed, just a phone number to check in. Very poor signage, sites are poorly marked. No lights for late arrivals. Branches down in the roads and sites."
Seasonal crowds: Popular areas become busy during summer months. "This place is very popular during the summer months with the boating crowd," warns a visitor to Wallace Creek.
Limited shade in some areas: Many lakefront sites lack adequate tree coverage. "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. However, I do recommend getting those sites together for a group," advises a camper at Dub Patton Campground.
Insect concerns: Ticks can be problematic in wooded areas during warmer months. "The highlight for us is the disc golf course that winds through the pine forest. That also leads me to the one negative...the pine trees... If you are camping here anytime during the warmer months, be ready to pick ticks off of everyone!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for children than others. At Hernando Point, a camper mentions, "Had a huge spot with lots of shade. Only complaint was there was no playground in the actual camping area."
Swimming considerations: Not all lakes permit swimming, so check ahead. "There is a small swimming area for campers only, but this lake is not great for swimming as it is pretty muddy," explains a visitor to Village Creek State Park Campground.
Halloween festivities: Wall Doxey State Park hosts special Halloween events with decorated campsites. "Every camp site had wonderful decorations and the kids had such a blast. It was awesome," shares an enthusiastic visitor.
Youth activities: Several campgrounds offer environmental education and seasonal programming. "There are several playgrounds my son enjoyed & we had a blast doing the scavenger hunt. We were too early in the season for the blow-up slides but we definitely plan on coming back to enjoy those," reports a family visiting Sun Retreats Horn Lake.
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: Water hookups at some campgrounds require extra equipment. "You may need a long potable water hose, 50+ feet," advises a visitor to John W Kyle State Park.
Site selection strategies: Choose locations based on shade and privacy needs. "The sites are paved and they have water and electricity, the bathrooms are clean, the staff is friendly and the area feels safe. There is a dump station as she exit each Campground loop," notes a camper at Village Creek State Park Campground.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds feature uneven sites requiring additional preparation. "Not all sites are level in fact we had to pass up a couple because of that reason. If you come in the off-season, there are plenty of sites not reserved so you can drive around and pick one using the self-pay system," suggests a Wallace Creek visitor.
