Best Tent Camping near Coldwater, MS
Tent campgrounds near Coldwater, Mississippi include several options within a short drive. Kellys Crossing Campground on Arkabutla Dam Road offers tent-only sites with access to Arkabutla Lake, while Puskus Lake in Holly Springs National Forest provides more secluded tent camping about 30 miles east. Pleasant Hill Campground, though rated lower by visitors, offers additional tent camping options in the immediate Coldwater area.
Most tent sites in the region feature basic amenities with minimal improvements. Picnic tables and fire rings are common at established campgrounds, though not all sites have drinking water available. Vault toilets are typically present but may be located some distance from individual campsites. According to one visitor, "The campground is quite small but the camping spaces have a good amount of room to them so you do not feel like you are on top of each other." Many locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration at permit boxes, and fees range from free to $15 per night depending on the campground.
Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, particularly at Beach Point on Sardis Lake where cars must remain in the parking lot while campers carry gear to their sites. This arrangement creates a more peaceful tent camping experience. The area offers good shade coverage at most campgrounds, with sites typically situated under mature forest canopy. A camper noted that Puskus Lake "is very well remote off of HWY 30 in the Holly Springs National Forest" making it ideal for those seeking quiet tent camping. Seasonal considerations include high mosquito activity in summer months, particularly near water. Fall and spring typically offer the most comfortable tent camping conditions with fewer insects and moderate temperatures. Many tent campsites provide access to fishing, hiking trails, and boat launches for additional recreation.
