Best RV Parks & Resorts near Arkabutla Lake

This is a huge campground and the price for a spot was at least double what we would pay elsewhere (nearly $100). We weren’t able to get a campground at Tom Sawyer and the reviews were all over the place for the rest of the Memphis campgrounds that we decided to go ahead and splurge on this one.

This was our first Jellystone and I was shocked at how many campers the campground accommodated - there are RVs everywhere. Most of the amenities and services are located at the front of the campground and includes a store and propane, playground, dog run, pool, showers and laundry, gold mining station, and sports courts (basketball, Gaga ball, and basketball). Further back in the campground, was another playground and dog run and a really cute little lake.

We were staying off-season so there was no activities and they actually deflated the jumping pad, but my kids still had fun and I could see this campground either being a blast in the summer or being a nightmare because of too many people. While we were there, I saw almost no children and several of the camper sites looked like the guests were staying long-term. For a campground that is marketed towards families, the demographics were a bit strange.

That said, it was super clean, well-organized, the landscaping and sites were maintained, everyone was friendly. We got two loads of wash done and my husband said the showers looked good. There were some restaurants and a Walgreen that looked like they delivered to the campground. WiFi worked and they had cable tv.

We reserved a basic site, but for more money you could get a site with Adirondack patio furniture and there were plenty of cabins as well. We reserved same day online and they have a system for late check-ins.

I’m definitely giving Jellystone another go - but next time during the summer. I’m not sure whether this campground is a good base for exploring Memphis - I think if you had a car it would probably be fine as it’s only 20 minutes or so.

PROS 

Senior discount 

No fee assessed to make on-line reservations 

Quiet 

light view of lake from #57 

Site 57 has no site next to it or behind it 

Good distance between campsites 

Dark sky friendly except for sites near toilet/shower facilities where there is an actual street light 

Climate controlled toilet/shower facility in campground B 

Both campground B toilet/shower facilities very clean with ample supply of TP, soap and paper towels 

Wood picnic table (on concrete pad), pedestal BBQ grill, metal fire ring with cooking grate and metal lantern hook 

Wide roadway in campground B 

Small playground 

Access to lake swimming area from campground B 

Trash receptacles at toilet/shower facility 

Lots of deer


Smaller Walmart in Wynne AR 

Pops Grill in Wynne real good

CONS 

County burn ban in place upon arrival but no signage anywhere alerting of ban. We saw the Arkansas burn ban website and inquired upon checkin if it was enforced and park clerk affirmed ban but we saw many campers had a wood fire burning all the time. So without any signage we understand the confusion and noncompliance. Park should at least place burn ban signage at campground entrance. 

Site 57 unlevel side-to-side 

No cell service. 

No public phone in park. 

Parks signage states WiFi at park visitor center could be used to make phone calls. We found this not true with our T-MOBILE service as we purposely went to the visitor center to make a WIFI call. There is WIFI at visitors center but only one bar and too weak to transmit a call. So if there is an emergency after visitor center is closed and you need to make a call, good luck, as there is no public phone nor any camp hosts. We drove approximately 8 miles towards Wynne to get sufficient cell signal to make calls and connect with internet. 

Only free WiFi is at park visitor center. We purchased WiFi from park vendor Viasat $20 unlimited for 3 days for one device. Viasat delivered a good signal within 200 ft of toilet/shower facility so it was useless in our campsite#57. Don’t waste your money! Sewer connection at rear of site pad so bring the looooong stinky slinky! 

Pets not kept on leash 

No security gate closure overnight

T.O. Fuller SP Is a decent campground situated 5 miles from Graceland and about 15 minutes (by car) from downtown Memphis. If you are concerned about staying in South Memphis, this state park is not for you. However, it is surprisingly decent compared to what you would assume based on its location.

TO fuller state park is expansive and has a state park feel to it. The campground is secluded and has 35-38 campsites. All campsites have 30/50 amp electric, water, picnic table, fire ring and trash hooks. There are no sewer hook ups, but there are two dump stations. This is helpful on busier weekends. The bathhouse is situated in the center of the campground and it has been updated. We did not use it and it was closed due to the pandemic. There is also an updated playground in the campground area that looks very nice. Many of the sites are level and there are a few pull through sites. Several large RVs and travel trailers were able to comfortably fit in these campsites.

There are several hiking trails, a swimming pool (in season), and a native American history Museum (Chulissa) that is very popular. Most of the facilities were closed, but we were able to hike and enjoyed it. The visitor center staff and Park Rangers were all helpful and very friendly. The visitor center has a number of state park items for purchase. If you are a person that collects patches, stickers, or clothing of the state park you visit visit, TO Fuller’s visitors center has everything you could need.

In summary, TO Fuller State Park is surprisingly beautiful for its location, but if you cannot get past its location then it is not a good place for you to try and stay. However, if its location doesn’t bother you, you’ll enjoy your weekend and a pretty state park.

Tom Sawyer RV Park is located right along the Mississippi River. The entrance into the park takes you through a wooded area, which has beautiful scenery. Upon arrival they are doing contactless check in and have your car tag and park map located at the front office.

They have three areas to this campground: two are located on the river and one sits back into the trees with more shade. There is also 2 ponds located on site with fishing allowed. Sites are either concrete or gravel and mostly level. All sites are full hook up with 30/50 amp electric. They also have several bathhouses and laundry facilities, both which were clean.

We stayed in site 29 (concrete). We could see the river from our site, but it was a walk to get river side. Site had ample shade and was far enough apart from other campers. We also had cell service (ATT) and the park provides wifi.

Pros: •Clean campground •Spacious sites •Full hook ups with laundry facilities •WiFi included •Gorgeous views

Cons: •Poison Ivy •Ticks, mosquitoes, snakes, etc...are thick

Ok - so this campground is a few things.  Will detail the good/bad below as we saw it:

Good

1. This campground is super remote.  Like 20 minutes from downtown Memphis, but 0 bars of cell service.  Really nice for an escape, but hard if trying to work out of here.

2. This campground is part of a HUUUUUUGE state park.  Like 10000 acres.  

3. Tons of outdoors activities in this state park.

Bad

1. No cell service.  Or Internet.  Or anything.  There is very small service for WIFI available at the visitor center, which is a 5min drive from the park.

2. Bugs from April - October are pretty bad.  This is in a forest, so they are constantly around.

3. Bath areas are old.  And full of mosquitos.  Would make sure you understand this before camping.

4. No Full Hookups (state park).

What a great park. Or should I say another great COE park. This is the cleanest park we've seen. Very big rig friendly with large concrete pads with a little extra room for a boat or toad. Great vieas of the lake, which is said to be one of the best crappie lakes in the United States.$20.00 a night for full hook up and the geezer card bring it to$10.00. Can't beat that! Both ATT& Verizon came in strong. Did not try OTA TV. Shower facilities were also great with plenty of hot water and very clean facilities. Although you can hear Hwy 55 on a clear, calm night the route to the park isa bit tricky, as a bridge is out. But should be completed by this spring, I was told. Will definitely return. But keep in mind, we stayed a couple of days and left before the weekend. A quick walk around the park showed almost every site was reserved for the weekend starting Thursday. A popular park and worth it.

Ez Daze RV Park, Southaven, MS - We stayed one night in November. Easy pull through, level concrete site so we didn’t have to unhitch, very clean bathrooms and showers. They have two regular shower stalls which are extremely shallow and one ADA stall with pull down bench. We didn’t have much interaction with the staff because as soon as I walked in, about 4p, I was directed to find my site information outside in the after hours arrival box. Great if you’re looking for contactless registration or do in fact arrive after hours. There was debris in our space that must have been left by the previous camper and we had to get out and clear it before we could pull into the site. Appeared to be large broken pieces of a heavy plastic bumper. (Reason for 4 stars instead of 5) Strong wifi, cable reception wasn’t great. Code to the bathrooms, which is appreciated especially as the park is located in a business area and backs up to a residential neighborhood. Asphalt in front of office in extremely bad condition so be careful as you drive through. Nice office. They have plenty of long termers and there are two large receptacles outside the front office for package delivery. The park is easy access from I-55 and sits next to several RV dealers. Great place to stay if you want to have a look at some new trailers or motor homes. Also, a Tanger Outlet is just down the road. Full hook up, 50 amp site was $70, 63.00 with our Good Sam card which we think was a bit pricey. Oddly, there was only one trash receptacle in the entire park.

Located right off 55 at the first exit as you get into Mississippi. It’s 15-20 minutes from everything you want to do in the Memphis area like downtown or midtown. Groceries, gas, and other necessities are across the street. Mostly full timers here and everyone is friendly. It seems like the first pull through by the bathrooms and laundry is the transitory spot. Easy to get into, dry, and has a concrete patio. Not a ton of space between sites but definitely not the worst I’ve seen in smaller campgrounds like this. The people I spoke to in the office were awesome and very helpful. Had room to park the tow vehicle and the daily driver.