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 Tishomingo, MS
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Tent campsites near Tishomingo, Mississippi include established areas like Second Creek Recreation Area, which offers free primitive tent camping along the lakeshore. Located just across the Alabama border, about 15 miles from Tishomingo, Second Creek provides waterfront tent sites with basic amenities. Tent campers seeking more seclusion might prefer Thompson Creek Trail Campsites in the Sipsey Wilderness of Bankhead National Forest, which offers primitive backcountry tent camping with multiple established sites along the creek.
Tent camping areas at Second Creek feature concrete picnic tables and portable toilets, but no drinking water is available. Most sites sit directly on natural surfaces with minimal site preparation. Campers should bring all necessary water and supplies, as no services exist beyond basic sanitation facilities. Fire rings are present at most locations, and fires are permitted when no restrictions are in place. Thompson Creek sites require hikers to carry in all gear, with campsites situated approximately every quarter mile along the river. According to one visitor, "About 3 miles from Thompson Trailhead is the exquisite campground number 4. This campground has about enough space for 2-3 tents or hammocks."
Sites at Second Creek accommodate both walk-in and drive-in tent camping, with several spots situated directly on the lake for easy water access. The terrain varies from open lakeside areas to more wooded settings. Many campers report the sites remain relatively quiet, even during weekends. Thompson Creek Trail tent sites feature natural surroundings with large moss-covered boulders and cliffs in the background opposite the river. Most tent campsites have fire pits, and some contain hand-made seating from woven branches. One camper noted that "water is a beautiful turquoise" and "most of the campsites have giant moss covered boulders all around." Tent campers should be prepared for wilderness conditions, particularly at Thompson Creek, where stream crossings may be necessary to reach some of the more secluded tent sites.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Tishomingo (5)
1. Second Creek Rec Area
"Multiple spots to set up camp with concrete tables at each."
"Good location and easy to get to. We have been camping here for years good spot for fishing kayaking and just good family time. They have on site porta potties and picnic tables."
2. Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites
"We got there pretty late (after dark) for setting up camp, and I do not recommend doing that. It's about a quarter of a mile walk to the campsite, but the site is absolutely gorgeous!"
"Located in Northwest Alabama, not far from the Sipsey Wilderness, Dismals Canyon offers an unparalleled camping experience that stands out in the state."
3. Big Hill Pond State Park Campground
"Primitive camping, no water or electric. Not big enough for RVs. Nice bathrooms, excellent showers. Very pretty with lots of hiking trails and a lake for fishing."
"We brought our small Aliner camper here to primitive camp for the first time and we couldn’t have picked a better place! The campsites have been redone in the last couple of years."
4. Thompson Creek Trail Campsites
"You hike along the river and almost every quarter mile you come across a set up campground and each is more beautiful than the last."
"Easily accessible to fresh water. Has nice logs around a campfire pit if you plan on having a nice campfire. Plenty of space to set up a tent, or a hammock."
5. Tupelo Bicycle Only Camp - Natchez Trace Parkway
Drive Time
- 55 min from Florence, AL
- 1 hr 22 min from Decatur, AL
- 1 hr 37 min from Huntsville, AL
- 1 hr 38 min from Jackson, TN
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Tishomingo, MS
10 Photos of 5 Tishomingo Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Tishomingo, MS
286 Reviews of 5 Tishomingo 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!
Cara N.TravelerHollow Hideaway
RV Camping
We have been to Hollow Hideaway for the past few years to camp and ride SXS’s. I highly recommend this place. The owners are the best I’ve ever felt with and now have become our friends. The RV sites are well maintained and the rental cabins and house are amazing. Get your spot booked now! You won’t be disappointed.
Tula J.
ScoutBrush Creek Park
Beautiful quiet place to relax
My daughter door dashes in Florence. Since we live in the Bankhead Forest, sometimes we stay closer to Florence. We love this park for peace and quiet. Easy to find. Only real problem is the showers. They are not heated and there is no door. So you need to bring your own shower curtain. It's wide open to the world.
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
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.
Troy R.ScoutWhitten Park Campground
Nice Clean Campground
Check in with very nice and friendly. Bath houses are a bit dated but clean. Nice view of Tom bigby waterway. No sewer hookups but does have a dump station.
Guide to Tishomingo
Second Creek Recreation Area offers free primitive tent camping on the Alabama side of the Mississippi-Tennessee border, about 15 miles from Tishomingo, Mississippi. Most sites sit directly along the shoreline with concrete tables at each location. Tent camping opportunities near Tishomingo range from established recreation areas to backcountry sites within the Sipsey Wilderness, with most locations requiring campers to bring all necessary water and supplies.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Thompson Creek Trail in Sipsey Wilderness features numerous small cascades perfect for day hikes from your campsite. One camper noted, "The waterfall was beautiful and we found a quiet spot up the creek to camp."
Creek wading: The turquoise waters at Thompson Creek Trail Campsites provide cooling relief during summer months. According to Miranda C., "The hike in is not difficult. You do have to cross a stream, which was not as difficult for my 6'2 husband as it was for me at 5'2. The water was clear."
Kayaking: The lake at Second Creek Rec Area provides excellent flatwater paddling opportunities. Jake W. reports, "We have been camping here for years good spot for fishing kayaking and just good family time."
Night hiking: Experience the rare bioluminescent creatures at Dismals Canyon. One visitor shared, "We were fortunate enough to enjoy a private tour on a Friday night and were treated to a mesmerizing display of glow worms, which call this canyon home."
What campers like
Accessibility: Many tent sites at Second Creek are drive-up, making gear transport easier. Timothy F. notes, "Quick and easy getaway! Multiple spots to set up camp with concrete tables at each."
Rock features: Large boulders at Thompson Creek provide natural seating and viewing platforms. Matthew P. describes, "Theres a beautiful large boulder rock that overlooks Thompson Creek you can relax on or have meals on."
Water access: Nearly all campsites along Thompson Creek feature direct access to flowing water. According to Trinity W., "Most of the time, except during dry spells, there are LOTS of waterfalls. Also lots of shallow places for the kids to play in the water."
Campsite spacing: The primitive sites along Thompson Creek offer good separation between groups. One camper mentioned, "Very quiet, you will not hear any neighboring campers."
What you should know
Site conditions: Many tent sites lack level ground, especially at Dismals Canyon. Glynne E. warns, "Totally recommend seeing the canyon, but the campsites are in rough shape. Totally eroded with no level spot for a tent."
Fee structure: While Second Creek offers free camping, Dismals Canyon implements multiple fees beyond the base rate. Sarah C. explains, "This is a nice little spot but they nickel and dime you to death. Sites are anywhere from $27/night to $48/night. But then they also charge you a $5 cleaning fee (for a campsite????) and a 'one time admission fee' of $30."
Seasonal water levels: Creek crossings can vary dramatically throughout the year in the Sipsey Wilderness. One visitor advises, "Just make sure to check the weather in advance cause the rivers can be dried up the wrong time of year or you can get heavy rain."
Bathroom facilities: Second Creek features portable toilets at some locations, but they may not be maintained regularly. Michael W. reports, "No porta potty in sight. Did two, not maintained by TVA anymore."
Tips for camping with families
Bug preparation: Insect repellent is essential in warmer months. Summer A. mentions, "Lots of mosquitoes at night. Quiet pretty spot to camp. Trees for hammocking."
Water safety: Creeks provide natural play areas but require supervision. Trinity W. suggests, "If you want a trail with lots of great spots to camp, this trail is fantastic. Don't expect bathrooms or drinking water to be nearby."
Hiking difficulty: Most trails are moderate but consider young children's abilities. Jimmy R. shares, "Me and my 6 year old daughter hiked the trail this past Saturday. Had a great time. Definately be back."
Campsite selection: For families with small children, choose sites closer to trailheads. As Terrell B. noted, "We camped about 1 mile in at an existing fire ring. Beautiful water color!! Cool trees and rock formations."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive areas may challenge larger vehicles. According to Dani K., "The roads aren't the best but my van made it despite the muddy potholes."
Overnight parking: While many sites accommodate tent camping only, some areas at Second Creek can handle small trailers or vans. Jake W. explains, "We camp here regularly on the weekends. Good location and easy to get to."
Site accessibility: Some camping areas require parking in designated lots and walking to tent sites. One camper at Dismals Canyon Cabins and Primitive Campsites noted, "You cannot park right next to your site, you will have to park in the parking area and walk to your site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Tishomingo, MS?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tishomingo, MS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tishomingo, MS is Second Creek Rec Area with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Tishomingo, MS?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Tishomingo, MS?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Tishomingo, MS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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