Tent camping options near Arkabutla Lake occupy northwestern Mississippi's floodplain where elevations rarely exceed 400 feet. The area features a mix of forested tracts and open shoreline with clay-rich soils that can become muddy after rainfall. Summer humidity levels regularly reach 80-90% with nighttime temperatures rarely dropping below 70°F in July and August.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Set up at Beach Point - Sardis Lake where campsites offer direct water access. "The view and proximity to the water is truly what makes this spot. All sites are tent sites so you have to be parked in the parking lot but we were the only ones there in early January so was easy to park as close as possible to a spot," notes McKinley L.
Kayaking exploration: Launch from Puskus Lake which provides concrete boat ramps and dock access for small watercraft. "The docks nice, wide with bench seating," reports Alex B., who adds "one site has a dock right in front of it, could park kayaks and or a boat."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at tent campsites near Arkabutla Lake often reward visitors with deer sightings and birdwatching opportunities. "The lake has a lot of inlets to explore by canoe," mentions Kim B., highlighting the natural areas available around primitive camping spots at Maple Flat Group Campground.
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: Many tent campers appreciate the lack of crowds at smaller campgrounds like Graham Lake. "This is a very small campground with about 5 spots," notes Steve G., adding that while there are "no hookups. Nothing. But, it is a free campground so what can you say. It's rather nice there."
Budget-friendly options: Delta Heritage Trail State Park Campground offers affordable tent sites with basic amenities. "This place has nice pads to put tents on and picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Only 10 sites though and it is first come first serve... All together not a bad place to stay for $15!" reports Jacob W.
Off-season camping: Winter camping provides additional seclusion at tent sites surrounding Arkabutla Lake. "We went in the off season so it was free!" shares McKinley L. about Beach Point, while another camper noted winter's advantages: "I am visiting at the end of December, so there are hardly any other persons around besides the fishermen out on the water."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds, with many offering only vault toilets. At Cox Lake, there are no toilets at all. Hunter H. explains about Puskus Lake: "This is a great location to disconnect, but do not expect the amenities other sites offer (bathrooms, electricity, water, etc.)."
Site maintenance concerns: Some campgrounds show signs of neglect. "The campsites are overgrown or sunken. Looks like no one has camped here or taken care of the property in years," reports Shana D. about Pleasant Hill Campground. Similarly, Kelly C. noted at Cox Lake: "Lake area is nice enough, but lots of litter and shot gun shells."
Insects: Mosquitoes present significant challenges, particularly near shorelines. "Bring bug spray," advises Hook C., "This is a nice place. The staff is very knowledgeable and kind. Small place, mosquitoes were bad other than that it was great." Flies can also be problematic, with one camper reporting: "The flies!! They were so so bad! And bighty!! My poor dogs were covered in flies, as were we."
Tips for camping with families
Water safety: Most swimming areas lack lifeguards, and some lakes prohibit swimming entirely. A camper at Puskus Lake notes: "While you can boat or fish on the lake, you cannot swim in the lake so keep that in mind if you are going somewhere where you want to cool off."
Trail access: Look for short hiking opportunities around Elmers Hill and other tent campsites near Arkabutla Lake. "There are 2 trails you can walk on around the campsite but they only equal about 5 miles and are not maintained very well in some areas although they are flat and easy to explore," advises Kim N.
Site selection for privacy: Choose tent sites farther from boat ramps for quieter family camping. "We reserved campsites 13 and 14, at the far end, behind the restrooms. You have to park in the parking lot and carry your stuff to the site. But it's a tent-only campground and there were only a couple other tents there so it was quiet and peaceful. Our lots were large," shares Elizabeth S.
Tips from RVers
Small trailer access: Large RVs face challenges at most primitive sites, but smaller trailers can access certain areas. "If you're in a small to medium travel trailer or a tent, this could work out," advises Steve G. about Graham Lake.
Solar power considerations: For those with solar setups, tree cover affects charging capabilities. "If you have solar or starlink pick your spot wisely as a lot I have a ton of trees," recommends Bryce K. about Puskus Lake, where he "stayed here for 6 days no problems and enjoyed it a ton."
Alternative parking strategies: Some campgrounds require creative parking solutions. "You have to be parked in the parking lot but we were the only ones there in early January so was easy to park as close as possible to a spot," notes McKinley L., highlighting the winter advantage of fewer fellow campers competing for parking.
