Best Campgrounds near Coldwater, MS

Coldwater, Mississippi serves as a gateway to several Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds situated around Arkabutla Lake. Dub Patton Campground and South Abutment Recreation Area, both located on Arkabutla Dam Road, provide year-round camping with full hookup options for RVs and designated areas for tent camping. Kellys Crossing offers more primitive camping experiences with boat-in access to Arkabutla Lake, though it functions primarily as a boat ramp with limited amenities. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access additional options ranging from family-friendly Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Horn Lake to riverside camping at Tom Sawyer's RV Park across the Mississippi state line in Arkansas.

Reservations are strongly recommended for the more developed campgrounds, particularly during summer months when water recreation is popular. According to one camper, "Mississippi does a great job of maintaining their COE campgrounds. Nice, spacious spots underneath large Pine trees." The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while winters can occasionally bring freezing conditions. Mosquitoes and other insects are prevalent near the water, especially during warmer months. Campers note that "mosquitoes are terrible in the summer around dusk" at many sites near wetlands. Most established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with varying levels of additional amenities like showers, dump stations, and camp stores.

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Coldwater area. Arkabutla Lake offers fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities directly accessible from several campgrounds. Sites with water views tend to fill quickly during peak season. Facilities at state parks and COE campgrounds receive mixed reviews, with some visitors noting maintenance issues. One reviewer mentioned that "Mississippi needs to put some funding behind the park, could be a real gem." RV campers should verify site dimensions before booking, as many older campgrounds have varied site sizes that may not accommodate larger rigs. The proximity to Memphis (approximately 30 miles north) makes these campgrounds convenient bases for exploring both natural areas and urban attractions.

Best Camping Sites Near Coldwater, Mississippi (77)

    1. Hernando Point

    25 Reviews
    Coldwater, MS
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 562-6261

    $20 - $30 / night

    "The COE has been working on upgrading different sections of the campground at this location! It's nice to see places put money back into their campgrounds!"

    "Some are in a good spot on the camp side of the trailer, but a few are on the complete wrong side of the camper. Recently updated to full hookup sites for all sites."

    2. EZ Daze RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Southaven, MS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 342-7720

    "We didn’t have much interaction with the staff because as soon as I walked in, about 4p, I was directed to find my site information outside in the after hours arrival box."

    "One exit north has everything you need; food, Aldi's, Walmart.   The Dog Run is a huge area."

    3. Dub Patton Campground

    7 Reviews
    Hernando, MS
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 562-6261

    $30 / night

    "It was right on the lake, but shade was limited. The place is fairly clean, and there are clean bathrooms and showers. Over all it’s all right. Nothing too fascinating."

    "They are right on the lake and relatively separate from the other sites. However, I do recommend getting those sites together for a group."

    4. South Abutment Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Coldwater, MS
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 562-6261

    $30 / night

    "A big, undeveloped lake in Northern Mississippi? Yep, indeedy!!! We stayed here for two nights to break up the long drive between Nashville and Petit Jean in Arkansas."

    "Nice spot for simple outdoor recreation like kayaking or SUP on a lake. Almost all sites have a walk down to the water."

    5. Tom Sawyer's RV Park

    60 Reviews
    West Memphis, AR
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 735-9770

    "Great spot right on the Mississippi River, barges traveling up and down day and night. Beautiful sunrise and sunsets, close to Memphis Tennessee also."

    "Loved waking up every morning to the sunrise over the Mississippi River (2 young kids means we get up early 😁), watching the barges and running around in the big grassy areas!"

    6. Kellys Crossing Campground

    2 Reviews
    O.C. Fisher Lake, TX
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 562-6261

    "This is an off the beaten path area for standard recreation. It’s technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby."

    7. T.O. Fuller State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    West Memphis, AR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (901) 543-7581

    "Cicadas will drive you mad (even with earplugs I struggled to sleep but can't do anything about them..just fyi)."

    "There is a dump station at the entrance of the campground. There is a 4.5 mile hiking trail and a 2 mile novice trail."

    8. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Memphis

    7 Reviews
    Southaven, MS
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 280-8282

    "Airplanes every few hours, traffic from a nearby highway. Site 44 happens to be the only one without a tree for shade though, so unless you like hot sun- book another one."

    "This is a really nice campground just outside of Memphis, TN. They have a swimming pool, playground, covered party pavilion, laundry and lots of kids activities. They also have cabins for rent."

    9. Memphis South RV Park Camp Ground

    1 Review
    Coldwater, MS
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 622-0056

    10. Graceland RV Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Memphis, TN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (901) 396-7125

    "It is located next to Elvis Presley’s Memphis and across the street from Graceland- it’s a busy area."

    "You can walk right from the RV park to the museum. There’s a private gate from the campground to leads to the museum so you don’t have to drive anywhere."

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Recent Reviews near Coldwater, MS

457 Reviews of 77 Coldwater Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Oak Grove (MS) — Sardis Lake

    Good place

    Quiet campground with a lake you can fish and have a fishing boat. Pontoons are acceptable. Bathrooms are decent and the camps pot accommodated my 36ft 5th wheel.

  • e
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Mississippi River State Park Campground

    Beautiful and quiet

    This small campground is beautiful and kept very clean. Sites are full hookup. The bath house is very clean. There are four private toilet/shower rooms. All handicapped accessible. My favorite sites are 12, 13, and 14. My least favorite were 9, 10, and 11, but they are pull through sites.

  • Anna D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Hernando Point

    Great campground

    Sites are paved and full hookups at site. Nice view!

  • J
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

    A great place to do nothing.

    The shaded footpaths make walking the trails on a hot day still enjoyable. Quiet, low humidity, and plenty of camp sites to choose from make this location a great place to unplug and relax.

  • Jenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Tom Sawyer's RV Park

    Decent RV park Right on the mississippi

    Low key RV Park, and sites are a bit close together, but it's right on the Mississippi, and is wonderful views of the river! The staff was extremely helpful. Some of the sites only have 50 and 30 amp power, and I primarily use 20 amp for my camper van, and the staffer was very willing to help me switch sites to accommodate my needs.

  • Greg S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2025

    Tom Sawyer's RV Park

    4.4 stars

    Holy heck the drive getting to this place is crazy- left off the interstate, through a shady part of Memphis, past all kinds of industry, across tracks and over a dike, down a curvy bumpy gravel road past ancient campground signs and various unrelated turn offs.... When you get to the park check in building it's a relief but not a departure from what you've just seen lol. However, the woman who checked us in was very nice. Driving into the campground is almost as weird- random electrical towers, old tree houses falling down from floods, debris scattered here and there...... We got a riverfront pull through site, which was cool but not appreciated as much at it should have been due to the real feel of 95 degrees when we pulled in and zero shade to setup in. As evening rolled around, the beauty of this place came alive. We ate dinner in the shade due to the smart layout of the sites, and as the breeze picked up we could enjoy the scenery in earnest for the first time. Tugboats pushed barges against the current at a slower than walking pace. Trees with root balls intact floated downstream. The distant banks of the Tennessee side showed their sandy promontory. As the sun began to set, we walked along the river and climbed on huge logs and ran up and down the river bank. The RVs parked here along the river were classy and in stark contrast to the less than well maintained grounds. As I sat on the bench with my sons at dusk looking out across the mighty miss, the condition of the campground wasn't on my mind. This place is worth a stop for a day or two as you explore Memphis. Riverfront sites are a must.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2025

    Hernando Point

    Beautiful and Quiet

    The sites were easy to get into and the campground was quiet and the setting is really beautiful. Would recommend!!


Guide to Coldwater

Arkabutla Lake dominates the camping landscape around Coldwater, Mississippi, with the water level varying significantly by season. The region sits at approximately 330 feet above sea level with flat terrain punctuated by rolling hills. Humidity levels regularly exceed 70% during summer months, creating conditions where proper ventilation in camping units becomes essential for comfort.

What to do

Fishing at dawn and dusk: Arkabutla Lake offers productive fishing from shore or boat for multiple species. At Hernando Point, campers report success targeting crappie and catfish when lake levels are steady. "The lake was low, low, low. As there were only about 5 other campers there, we had our choice of sites," notes one angler who stayed when water levels were down.

Water-based recreation: Swimming and boating options vary by season at the lake's public access points. When water levels permit, Kellys Crossing Campground provides a quieter alternative to the more developed areas. One visitor describes it as "an off the beaten path area for standard recreation. It's technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby."

Memphis attractions: Several campgrounds serve as convenient basements for exploring Memphis attractions. From Graceland RV Park, visitors can access Elvis Presley's mansion via a private entrance gate. According to one camper, "You can walk right from the RV park to the museum. There's a private gate from the campground that leads to the museum so you don't have to drive anywhere."

What campers like

Large, level sites: Corps of Engineers campgrounds near Coldwater receive high marks for their spacious layouts. At Dub Patton Campground, sites offer good spacing compared to private alternatives. A visitor notes: "Clean and quiet CG with spacious sites." Another adds the campground has "sites are clean and well kept."

River watching opportunities: Campsites along the Mississippi River provide unique views of commercial traffic. At Tom Sawyer's RV Park, visitors enjoy watching barges navigate the current. "Tugboats pushed barges against the current at a slower than walking pace. Trees with root balls intact floated downstream," reports one camper who appreciated the riverside perspective.

Affordable pricing: Several public campgrounds offer budget-friendly rates with senior discounts available. Water and electric sites at Dub Patton Campground cost less than many private alternatives. According to one visitor, "October 16-17, 2019. Site 14 had electric and water. Campground had dump station, showers and flush toilets. Rate was $10 with Sr Lifetime Pass."

What you should know

Seasonal flooding impacts: Campgrounds near water bodies experience periodic closures due to high water. Conditions at South Abutment Recreation Area can change rapidly with rainfall. One camper observed: "The water level looked to be very low, but we still had a nice view at the end of the loop."

Urban access trade-offs: Campgrounds closer to Memphis offer convenience but sometimes less natural setting. Some visitors note the contrast at certain locations. At T.O. Fuller State Park, a reviewer commented: "The drive in is a little eyebrow raising, you either take a long drive through a kind of run down neighborhood, or an industrial park."

Facility maintenance varies: Bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds. Some visitors report excellent conditions while others note issues. At EZ Daze RV Park, a camper stated: "Bathroom and laundry facilities are amazing. Playground is scary. Very friendly and hospitable staff."

Tips for camping with families

Family-oriented amenities: When traveling with children, look for campgrounds with dedicated play facilities. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive recreation options not found at public campgrounds. A visitor described: "There were several playgrounds my son enjoyed & we had a blast doing the scavenger hunt. We were too early in the season for the blow-up slides but we definitely plan on coming back to enjoy those."

Water access considerations: Lakefront sites offer both recreation and potential safety concerns for families with small children. At Hernando Point, one camper noted: "Had a huge spot with lots of shade. Only complaint was there was no playground in the actual camping area."

Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide access to learning experiences. T.O. Fuller State Park includes the Chucalissa Museum which explores Native American history. A reviewer recommended: "If you are here, Chucalissa Museum is worth checking out."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Reserve waterfront sites early for best views and access. At Hernando Point, experienced RVers recommend specific locations. "Site 21 is nice and private at end of a row and is pull thru," advised one camper at EZ Daze RV Park.

Hook-up variations: Water and electric connections are standard at Corps of Engineer sites, but sewer connections are limited. At South Abutment Recreation Area, sites offer full hookups which is uncommon for public campgrounds. A visitor observed: "Sites are FHU and other amenities include a large concrete picnic table, lantern hook, fire pit, BBQ grill, and food prep table."

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping brings lower rates and fewer crowds but occasional freezing temperatures. A camper at South Abutment noted: "It was below freezing the next morning, so I didn't try them [the showers] out." Plan accordingly for cold weather if visiting during winter months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Coldwater, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, Coldwater, MS offers a wide range of camping options, with 77 campgrounds and RV parks near Coldwater, MS and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Coldwater, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Coldwater, MS is Hernando Point with a 4.3-star rating from 25 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Coldwater, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Coldwater, MS.

What parks are near Coldwater, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Coldwater, MS that allow camping, notably Arkabutla Lake and Enid Lake.