Campgrounds near Beulah, Mississippi sit within the Arkansas River basin where cypress trees line lake shores at elevations averaging 130-150 feet. Seasonal flooding affects campground availability with many parks closing certain areas during winter months. Camping options range from basic sites with limited amenities to developed campgrounds with full hookups and showers.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Lake Chicot State Park Campground offers prime fishing spots for various species. "Great fishing. Merrisack Lake joins the ship canal to the Arkansas River. Fabled White River National Wildlife Refuge, America's first national refuge, close by," notes Jason W. about COE Arkansas River Merrisach Lake Park.
**Wildlife observation: Watch for diverse wildlife throughout the area. At Cane Creek State Park Campground, Steve S. observed "numerous birds (pileated woodpeckers) and even saw a swamp rat swimming in the lake (resembles a beaver with a skinny tail)." The park offers organized nature activities through its visitor center.
**Water recreation: Rent boats, canoes, and kayaks at several parks. "You can rent kayaks for very reasonable. Do it! The water trail is unlike any I have seen," recommends Lacee G. about Cane Creek State Park. Moonlight kayaking events occur seasonally at some locations.
What campers like
**Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds feature large sites with good separation. At Pendleton Bend, Allison N. notes, "The sites are spacious. For example, the water hookups are half way between the sites to be shared, and my 50ft hose just barely could reach."
**Waterfront views: Riverside camping provides opportunities to watch river traffic. "There are several of Warfield's campsites are literally river front. There is a nice boat ramp on the river," mentions Art M. about Warfield Point Park, offering direct Mississippi River access.
**Shade coverage: Most campgrounds feature tree cover, particularly important during hot months. At COE Arkansas River Wilbur D Mills Campground, Steve S. appreciates the "nice roomy sights plenty of shade, quiet and relaxing. plenty of wildlife showers were cold but covered picnic tables, fire ring, grill, paved level spots."
What you should know
**Seasonal closures: Winter closures affect campground availability. "Went by 1/17/2021 closed for winter saw a few pelicans," reports Steve S. about Wilbur D. Mills campground, which typically reopens in March.
**Bug concerns: Insects can be problematic, especially after flooding or during summer. At Lake Chicot State Park Campground, campers report "noseeums and other mosquitoes a little bad" though Ron P. notes "could be worse" during his fall visit.
**Water levels: The Arkansas River basin experiences seasonal flooding. "Park looks bad looks like flood damage gate is open no one around. Electric poles are down," observed Steve S. at Warfield Point Park, showing how flooding impacts facilities.
**Cash-only policies: Some parks have limited payment options. "Payment is CASH ONLY," warns Sarah H. about Warfield Point Park, which also has fewer full hookup sites than advertised.
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Beulah have play areas for children. Joseph B. says Cane Creek State Park has "good" playgrounds, and "the pavilions are clean and the AC works well."
**Holiday events: Parks host seasonal activities for families. "Halloween brings thousands of visitors each fall. The campsites all decorate for the holiday and everyone wants to see it!" explains Joseph B. about Cane Creek State Park.
**Bathroom facilities: Restroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Pecan Grove RV Park, visitors appreciate the "nice concrete pads" and convenient facilities, making it suitable for families needing reliable bathroom access.
**Educational programs: Visitor centers offer organized activities. "The visitors center offers fun activities for kids," notes Lindsey P. about Cane Creek State Park, providing structured entertainment options beyond outdoor recreation.
Tips from RVers
**Hookup reliability: Electrical capacity varies by campground. Aaron D G. warns about Merrisach Lake: "Our picnic table has a corner busted off and the water hydrant was combined for two sites to one hydrant spot. Our 25 ft hose was too short."
**Parking surfaces: Site conditions and leveling requirements differ. Lacee G. mentions that at Cane Creek State Park, "The sites were level." Most campgrounds in this region feature paved or asphalt pads.
**Cell service considerations: Signal strength varies considerably. Kathleen A. reports that at Cane Creek, "Cell phone (Verizon) and antenna reception are good possibly because there are no leaves on the trees," suggesting seasonal variations in connectivity.
**Dump station locations: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. Aaron D G. notes at Merrisach Lake, "The dump station is probably a mile and a half from the campground so if you have a grey water tote tank that you pull behind the truck like me, expect a fairly long drive."
