Dispersed camping in the forests and public lands near Coldwater, Mississippi allows for a more secluded outdoor experience than established campgrounds. Situated within the Holly Springs National Forest, the area features gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 300-600 feet and mixed pine-hardwood forests. Winter temperatures can drop to the 30s while summer months often exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall prime camping seasons.
What to Do
Disc golf adventures: Wall Doxey State Park Campground offers an engaging disc golf course winding through pine forests. "The highlight for us is the disc golf course the winds through the pine forest," notes Brandon R., though he cautions about a seasonal hazard: "If you are camping here anytime during the warmer months, be ready to pick ticks off of everyone!"
Fishing opportunities: Dub Patton Campground sits right on Arkabutla Lake with excellent fishing access. "Site 9 and site 10 are by far the most beautiful sites in the camp in my opinion. They are right on the lake and relatively separate from the other sites," reports Wild Sage F., who found the location "clean and safe for a female solo camper."
Lake exploration: Wallace Creek on Enid Lake provides water recreation options with extensive shoreline access. "We enjoyed paddling around the lake. The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery (by the Enid Dam) is a fun place to visit and tour for very small fee," says Nancy W., who appreciated the campground's spacious waterfront sites.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Hernando Point provides well-maintained camping areas with room to spread out. "The sites were easy to get into and the campground was quiet and the setting is really beautiful," shares Jason G., while Steve W. describes it as "Clean, and quiet, with good sized sites."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer excellent value compared to private RV parks. "Each site has electric and water, but still only $20," reports CJ W. about Hernando Point, noting the lakefront sites and trail access make it an exceptional deal for cost-conscious campers.
Yurt camping options: Chewalla Lake Recreation Area offers one of the few yurt camping experiences near Coldwater, Mississippi. "The campground is simple but nice and a step above absolutely basic. Nice cheap fees," mentions Lynn G., who particularly enjoyed the "adorable little bridge to an island" and the variety of trails including "woods, waterfront, boardwalks."
What You Should Know
Campground maintenance varies: John W. Kyle State Park has been undergoing improvements but still faces challenges. "This is the 3rd MS State Park (North MS) we have been to and it is clear that MS does not take care of its state parks," Shana D. observed, noting issues with overgrown grass and facility maintenance.
Off-season considerations: EZ Daze RV Park remains open year-round with consistent services. "This is a great extended stay campground. Lots of amenities, including a swimming pool. Very close to shops and restaurants," notes Shana D., though she clarifies it's "more of a place to park" than a traditional campground.
Reservation systems: Some parks use self-registration. Mark O. shares his experience at EZ Daze: "Box on door had about 7 registration slips so we guessed there were probably that many spots available (as there is no map or legend showing what spots were available for the night anywhere)."
Tips for Camping with Families
Multiple playgrounds: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Memphis caters specifically to families with children. "There were several playgrounds my son enjoyed & we had a blast doing the scavenger hunt," Amy L. shares, adding they "definitely plan on coming back to enjoy" the seasonal inflatable slides.
Insect preparation: Come prepared for seasonal bugs, especially in wooded areas. "The mosquitoes were unbearable. Very few people were spending any time outside due to the bugs," warns Charles S. about camping near Memphis during warmer months.
Island exploration: Family-friendly short hikes are available at Chewalla Lake. "Adorable little bridge to an island!" mentions Lynn G., making it an ideal spot for yurt camping near Coldwater, Mississippi with children who enjoy exploration.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Memphis KOA provides convenient full-hookup sites with added services. "The most Level site in our 6k mile trip," reports Kathy F., while Zack L. appreciates that "dinner is delivered to your site."
Water connection planning: Bring extra water hose at some parks. A camper at John W. Kyle State Park notes: "We did have to buy an extra hose to reach water hookup but other than that, it was good," while adding the dump station was "easy to find and no one else was there so it worked out well!"
Site selection for large rigs: When choosing sites at Wallace Creek, Nancy W. advises: "Not all sites are level in fact we had to pass up a couple because of that reason. If you come in the off-season, there are plenty of sites not reserved so you can drive around and pick one using the self-pay system."
