Lake Lowndes State Park sits between Columbus and Brooksville in eastern Mississippi, approximately 60 miles from Tupelo. The park covers 175 acres with several water bodies, including a 150-acre primary lake. Camping options span RV sites with full hookups to primitive tent camping areas, with most situated along the shoreline for water access. Winter temperatures average 40-55°F while summer brings 75-95°F conditions with high humidity.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Lake Lowndes State Park features an 18-hole course weaving through wooded areas near the campground. "This campground is very pretty and peaceful. They have a nice playground for the younger kids and disc golf for the older kids. And the lake is great for fishing and kayaking," notes Linda O. about Lake Lowndes State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Cast for largemouth bass and bream from lakeside sites or boat. "Sites 5 and 8 are our favorite. Really, any site on the small lake is great. Large hands in the smaller lake. I haven't even had a bite in the larger lake," reports Jonathon B. from Choctaw Lake.
Waterway watching: Observe commercial traffic along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. "During the week, we enjoy watching pilots from the Columbus Air Force Base honing their skills. The barges, more frequent during the day, have the occasional after dark run. They are fascinating to watch and quite pretty at night," shares Cyndi H. about camping near Brooksville.
Walking trails: Explore designated paths ranging from 1-3 miles around campsites and lakes. "The hiking trail that loops around the water is beautiful. My dog loves it too! It's such a great place to go relax, have fun, grill out, and make memories," writes Tiffany B. about the trail network.
What campers like
Lakefront site placement: Many sites offer direct water views and access. "Our campsite (10) was perfect- right on the water, plenty of space, nice even pad for our tent & canopy. The neighbors were kind & the bathrooms well maintained," reports Devan T. who tent camped at Lake Lowndes State Park Campground.
Quiet surroundings: Campsites maintain adequate spacing for privacy and relaxation. "Stayed 3 nights with friends. Nice spacing between sites and a nice dispersion of FHU sites with electric & water sites. Gave people the option of choosing either and allowed us to still group camp," writes Rick G. about Dewayne Hayes Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening animal sightings enhance the luxury camping experience. "The scenery is magnificent and we fell in love with the ducks, geese, and deer families that run around every night," shares Richard W. about his campground stay.
Regional outdoor access: Proximity to multiple recreation areas within 30 minutes. "This campground is our local campground and we go a few times a year. No WiFi and very little cell signal, as camping should be. We love it," mentions Jonathon B. about the glamping options near Brooksville, Mississippi.
What you should know
Ant prevention necessary: Several campgrounds report seasonal ant issues requiring preparation. "Nice state park with many amenities. The campground is located along a lake and many sites have nice water views. At about 4:00 am, we awoke to find ants invading the trailer. The outside of the trailer was covered with thousands of ants," warns Terry P. about his camping experience.
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility maintenance differs between locations. "The bathouse was clean, but very rundown," notes Terry P., while Anna R. states, "Really nice state park. Recently updated picnic tables. Nice quiet spots. Only complaint is that the showers could use a good remodeling, very dated."
Cell reception limitations: Signal strength varies by carrier and location. "I gave this stay a 4 out of 5 since there was no cell phone signal for Verizon once you entered the park even though it's so close to the town of New Hope," explains Christopher B. about Town Creek Campground.
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can change seasonally or over years. "The lake that was an attraction including water slides and fishing docks is dry and has been for a couple of years," reports Chris B. about one camping area near Brooksville.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play equipment for children. "They have a nice playground for the younger kids and disc golf for the older kids," mentions Linda O. about recreation options.
Indoor activity options: Some locations offer rainy day alternatives. "The park has a beautiful small lake for boating, fishing, and other water sports as well. Other things to do include an amazing frisbee golf course, tennis courts, softball fields, children's playground, hiking, biking, and a huge admin building with many indoor games like pool and ping pong," shares Richard W.
Weekend planning essential: Busier periods require advance booking. "One of my favorite campgrounds. Best to make reservations on line it fills up fast on weekends," advises Steve M. about Starkville KOA, a glamping option near Brooksville.
Supply proximity: Know the nearest stores for forgotten items. "Dollar general 10 minutes down the road if you need anything," notes Marissa G. about camping with scouts, while Mary mentions "Columbus, MS is just a few miles away and has anything you may need to buy."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Look for sites with specific attributes. "Sites could use some work but overall very nice campground," suggests David S., while Richard W. recommends "We have stayed at #43, #41, #1, #31 and #35 and we love them all. 31, 41, and 43 are the best."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites vary by location and may need advance booking. "It's a basic KOA with clean showers, laundry, and full hookups," explains Chris B. about one upscale glamping option in the Brooksville area.
Leveling preparation: Many sites feature paved, level pads for easier setup. "The sites are paved, large and very easy to back into," notes Richard W. about his camping experience.
Dump station protocols: Facilities maintain specific procedures. "This is a great place to dump your tanks. Only one problem and we expect it to be resolved soon. The charge is $5.00 but there is no one to pay!" cautions Randy C. about Choctaw Lake facilities.
