Kelly W.
Traveler
TravelerTishomingo State Park Campground
Nice quiet campground. We stayed at site 59. Level concrete pad, full hookup. We walked a couple trails. It’s been very dry no waterfalls and small creeks were dry.
Tent Camping near Belden, MS
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Holly Springs National Forest surrounding Belden, Mississippi offers several primitive tent camping options within a short drive. Tent-only sites can be found at Puskus Lake, a secluded campground located in the heart of the national forest, and at specialized bicycle-only tent camping areas along the Natchez Trace Parkway, including Tupelo Bicycle Only Camp near Saltillo and Witch Dance Bicycle Only Camp near Houston. Graham Lake provides additional walk-in tent sites approximately 30 miles northwest of Belden, while Cox Lake offers primitive tent camping options within the forest boundaries.
Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of maintenance. Puskus Lake provides metal fire rings, lantern poles, and picnic tables at most sites, with campsites positioned 50-100 feet from the water. Bathroom facilities are limited, with visitors reporting only one of three outhouses typically operational. Self-check-in is handled at permit boxes, with fees around $7 for camping ($3.50 with an interagency pass). Graham Lake offers approximately five tent sites with vault toilets but no other amenities. Campers should bring toilet paper, drinking water, and be prepared for minimal facilities. Sites at Cox Lake are particularly primitive with no toilets or trash service.
Tent campers frequently choose these areas for their seclusion and natural setting. According to reviews, Puskus Lake campground offers spacious sites where "camping spaces have a good amount of room so you do not feel like you are on top of each other." Weekday visitors often find themselves alone or with very few neighbors, though one camper noted that "by nightfall every site was full" on a Saturday in May. The area features two hiking trails totaling about 5 miles, though they may be poorly maintained in sections. Cox Lake is described as "a good pick if you're looking for a place to pitch your tent for a night," though some visitors report litter issues. Forest Service patrols monitor the areas, and campers should be mindful of local wildlife including snakes.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Belden (6)
1. Tupelo Bicycle Only Camp - Natchez Trace Parkway
2. Puskus Lake
"One bathroom away from the sites in the "day use" area. Mostly fisherman. The lake has motor oil/ fuel running on the surface. The docks nice, wide with bench seating."
"I spoke to a ranger this morning who said the road is full of widow makers. People are moving his barricades and going in anyway."
3. Chickasawhay
4. Cox Lake
5. Witch Dance Bicycle Only Camp — Natchez Trace Parkway
6. Graham Lake
"No hookups. Nothing. But, it is a free campground so what can you say. It’s rather nice there. This is a very small campground with about 5 spots."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 24 min from Memphis, TN
- 1 hr 34 min from Florence, AL
- 1 hr 44 min from Decatur, AL
- 1 hr 47 min from Jackson, TN
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Belden, MS
3 Photos of 6 Belden Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Belden, MS
255 Reviews of 6 Belden Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
LegendWhitten Park Campground
Still One of Our Favs
GPS took us right to Whitten Park Campground (CG). The check-in gate opens early most days and was already open when we arrived at 2:15 PM. Check-in was friendly and quick, even though the official check-in time was 4:00 PM. We had pull-through site 9 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP). Sites 8 and 9 had been combined to create a very long pull-through with two sets of utilities. We were able to position our rig on the pad to compensate for the slight slope, using one leveling block under each wheel on the door side. With temperatures reaching 100 degrees, we were glad the 50 AMP service supported all three of our air conditioners. As with most COE CGs, water pressure was very good, so we used our pressure regulator. Our site had a nice step-down patio with a large picnic table, stand-up BBQ grill, and fire pit. We stayed in the same site a couple of years ago, but the picnic table and other amenities from the former site 8 had since been removed. We also enjoyed a partial water view through the trees. We had 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile, with the T-Mobile signal strong enough to run our T-Mobile Home Internet and stream. With the amount of large trees in this CG, satellite could be iffy depending on the site. There was no CG WiFi. We stayed in Loop 1, which had trails leading to the boating and fishing docks, along with connecting trails to the other CG loops. Loops 1 and 3 are the most popular and tend to attract more campers. If you prefer fewer crowds and a quieter camping experience, consider Loop 2, which generally has fewer occupied sites, especially during the week. Whitten Park remains one of our favorite campgrounds.
Brett D.LegendTurkey Hill RV Park
Cute and quiet campground minutes from the interstate
Cute, quiet campground tucked away in the woods, yet only 5 minutes from the interstate! The sites are spacious, shaded, and very level. The showers and bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities are great. Highly recommend, especially for the price. Excellent value!
Kim K.
GuideTishomingo State Park Campground
tishomingo State Park
Very nice campground has concrete pads for RVs water and electric no sewer but does have a dump station has lots of beautiful hiking trails. Dog friendly and historic sites
Amanda F.LegendDavis Lake Campground
Nice campground
Great campground with a friendly and knowledgeable campground host.
Erin L.GuideTombigbee State Park Campground
FHU- Not big rig friendly
Small park, 20 sites of various sizes, 18 full hook ups(even sewer). Tent& group camping available. Cabins also available. A/C Bathhouse centralized with a vending machine for canned soda, men's side, women's side, and coin laundry(2 washer/2 dryer)$2.50 per use for light wash load- price increases with load size and function.$2.50 per dryer in commercial dryer. Sides each consisted of 3 flush toilets and 2 shower stalls. Lots of playground equipment for kids, along with a small baseball diamond, volleyball nets, BBQ grills, picnic tables and pavilions. Lots of trails around, but seems that they link to the disc golf course. Trolling motor or kayak lake only, NO SWIMMING. You can rent kayaks from the office. Fishing available with permit available at office& limits. Not far from Tupelo, MS, 15 minute drive to explore and shop. Our site#6 was just big enough for our camper(35 ft). We parked our truck(25ft) sideways-ish in front of the camper. We tried to stay out of the road for passing vehicles. There were parking spaces just up from our site, but our truck would have stuck out into traffic. Glad that we didn't because a storm came through and the wind caused a tree to come down over the road in front of our camper where those parking spots were. When I made the reservation via the phone number, I spoke with a representative who was in Maryland, so she had no idea, but said that on her screen the pad size should be long enough and it was not. There is no one at the gatehouse, you have to check in at the office across from the campground or envelopes are provided with a fee list for the honor system. It was quiet at night. There was only 1 other RV hooked up there the whole 7 days that we were. There were people that came through the week for 1 night only, but most people coming into the campground loop were stopping to use the shower facilities, the laundry facilities, or just driving through. We camped at Tombigbee State Park in a Travel Trailer.
- MMaggie C.Legend
Whitten Park Campground
Nice and quiet
Stayed here for 4 nights in sites 27 and 28. Right across from the bathrooms which were more than adequate. Was able to put our paddle board in from site 27 - just had to walk thru a little brush to access the river. Very quiet campground. No other campers in our loop at all. Sites are shady and perfectly level.
- Amanda F.Legend
Wall Doxey State Park Campground
Decent
Not sure if it’s somewhere I would stay right now due to one section being closed.
- Amanda F.Legend
Puskus Lake
Closed
This area is closed. I spoke to a ranger this morning who said the road is full of widow makers. People are moving his barricades and going in anyway.
Guide to Belden
Tent camping opportunities near Belden, Mississippi concentrate in the Holly Springs National Forest. While many sites feature primitive conditions, several campgrounds offer varying levels of facilities. Spring through fall camping is most popular, with overnight temperatures dropping to 40°F in early spring and late fall, while summer nights maintain comfortable 65-70°F temperatures, though daytime humidity can be high.
What to do
Fishing from campsite docks: Puskus Lake features wide docks with bench seating where campers can fish directly. As one visitor noted, the area offers a "fun little quick trip to paddle around in kayak, fish & enjoy great meal over grill." The lake supports various fish species, though some visitors have reported issues with water quality.
Kayaking and boating: Puskus Lake offers a concrete boat launch and is suitable for small watercraft. "We've frequented this small space since childhood. It's very well remote off of HWY 30 in the Holly Springs National Forest," reports one regular visitor. The concrete boat ramp allows for easy water access.
Trail exploration: Some campgrounds feature short trail systems, though maintenance varies seasonally. At Cox Lake, campers can access forest paths surrounding the "great little fishing lake" as described by visitors. Trails are generally flat but may have overgrown sections during summer months.
What campers like
Seclusion and quiet: Most campgrounds in the Holly Springs National Forest remain relatively uncrowded, especially on weekdays. One camper at Puskus Lake appreciated that it was "Beautiful lake and not crowded. Night time was quiet. Really enjoyed the views and relaxing environment."
Affordability: National Forest camping is budget-friendly with most sites costing $7 per night, or $3.50 with an interagency pass. A camper at Graham Lake noted, "It's rather nice there. This is a very small campground with about 5 spots," though they also mentioned it's important to bring your own supplies.
Lake views: Many sites sit within 50-100 feet of water, offering pleasant settings. One visitor described Puskus Lake as a "secluded beauty close to town" with docks that are "nice, wide with bench seating." Several campsites have direct lake views, with one site even featuring its own dock.
What you should know
Facility limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities with inconsistent maintenance. At Witch Dance Bicycle Only Camp and several other sites, no toilets or drinking water are available. Visitors to Puskus Lake have reported that "It is falling into disuse and disrepair. The Forrest service has signs that it is going to be decommissioned."
Self-registration process: Most sites require self-registration at permit boxes. "Self check in is handled at the permit box upon turning off the highway," explains one regular visitor. Payment is typically cash-only, so arrive prepared with correct change.
Bring essential supplies: No running water exists at most sites, requiring visitors to bring drinking water. One camper advised about Puskus Lake: "This is a great location to disconnect, but do not expect the amenities other sites offer (bathrooms, electricity, water, etc.)."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness: Families should prepare children for encountering local wildlife. Forest Service patrols monitor the areas regularly, as one visitor confirmed: "It's fairly well patrolled by game wardens and the camping spots are well maintained. Be mindful of snakes and your usual pests."
Weekday timing advantage: For quieter family experiences, schedule trips during weekdays. A weekend camper at Tupelo Bicycle Only Camp reported that sites fill quickly on weekends, noting "I got there at about 3pm and was the first there but by nightfall every site was full."
Consider site spacing: Some campgrounds offer better separation between sites for family privacy. Specific sites at Puskus Lake provide more seclusion, as visitors appreciate that "camping spaces have a good amount of room to them so you do not feel like you are on top of each other."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Small to medium travel trailers can access some sites, but large RVs cannot navigate most forest roads. A camper at Graham Lake advised, "Large rigs are a no go I would think, as access can be tight. If you're in a small to medium travel trailer or a tent, this could work out."
No hookups available: All campgrounds in the area are dry camping only with zero amenities. When staying at Chickasawhay, RVers must be completely self-contained with their own water, waste storage, and power. One visitor to a nearby campground characterized it as "Boondocking? This one might work. No hookups. Nothing."
Limited turnaround space: Forest service roads and campground layouts rarely accommodate large vehicles. RVers should research site layouts before attempting access, as most forest campgrounds feature narrow entrance roads with tight turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Belden, MS?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Belden, MS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Belden, MS is Tupelo Bicycle Only Camp - Natchez Trace Parkway with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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