Best Campgrounds near Columbus, MS

Several good campgrounds surround Columbus, Mississippi for those looking to spend a night or two outdoors. Whitten Park Campground sits near the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, with plenty of room to spread out at each site. Along the Natchez Trace Parkway, Jeff Busby Campground doesn't take reservations, but has hiking trails and works on a first-come basis. If you cross into Alabama, Pickensville Campground puts you right on the river where you can watch barges go by. Lake Lowndes State Park Campground has spots for fishing and picnicking near your camp. A short drive will get you to Trace State Park Campground, which has woods all around and trails for walking. Watch for deer and birds throughout the area - keep your food secured so you don't attract wildlife to your camp. The weather runs hot and sticky in summer and mild in winter, making spring and fall the best times to camp here. Bathroom setups differ between places - some have regular toilets and showers while others are more basic. The Columbus area has something that fits whether you want modern facilities or something more stripped-down.

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Best Camping Sites Near Columbus, Mississippi (42)

    1. Dewayne Hayes Campground

    9 Reviews
    Columbus, MS
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 434-6939

    $26 - $36 / night

    "There is a trail in the campground that leads to a cypress slough and it is beautiful.  Some campsites are reserveable and some are first come first serve. "

    "The walking path is about 3 miles round trip from the the day-use boat ramp and playground to the campground end. Camp hosts are friendly and campsites are well maintained."

    2. Lake Lowndes State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Columbus, MS
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 328-2110

    "The location was close to family in New Hope and the cottage was nice and cozy. The view of the lake was beautiful in the mornings and we also enjoyed a nice game of disc golf."

    "I’ve stayed in the cabins and the primitive sites and both had wonderful views of the lake. The hiking trail that loops around the water is beautiful. My dog loves it too!"

    3. Town Creek Campground - West Point - MS

    3 Reviews
    Columbus, MS
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 494-4885

    $26 - $34 / night

    "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."

    4. Pickensville Campground

    12 Reviews
    Brooksville, AL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 373-6328

    $32 - $36 / night

    "It will take you to the recreation area and you will have to turn around. The campground can’t be seen from the main road."

    "The weather discourages us from paddling, but we enjoy walking through this 176 site campground. Bathhouses and grounds are clean."

    5. Town Creek

    1 Review
    Columbus, MS
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 327-2142

    "Well, next to it. Paved roads X throughout, with was huge for me on a motorcycle. But, the grassy area for my site was all red ants and bull ants."

    6. The Oaks RV Park

    1 Review
    Columbus, MS
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 275-0148

    7. Blue Bluff Campground (aberdeen Ms)

    13 Reviews
    Amory, MS
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 369-2832

    $32 - $34 / night

    "Really well situated spots, very level and well maintained. Showers could use an upgrade but the worked none the less. Lake is very pretty. Quiet and comfortable stay all around."

    "The site is small, without trees, and very close to site 73, offering no privacy. Some larger sites have trees, and offer water access."

    8. Indian Mound Campground

    1 Review
    Starkville, MS
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 312-0387

    "This campground is tucked away off a side road from highway! It’s a pretty low key campground with more permanent homes."

    9. Browns RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Columbus, MS
    1 mile
    +1 (662) 328-1976

    10. Browns RV Trailer Park

    Be the first to review!
    Columbus, MS
    1 mile
    +1 (662) 328-1976
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Recent Reviews near Columbus, MS

125 Reviews of 42 Columbus Campgrounds


  • elisha P.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    R & R Vineyard

    Wonderful host

    Small quaint winery and art house , wonderful host so sweet, pleasant conversation did wine tasting, was quite enjoyable, quiet camping Spot off the beat and path, nice hook up for water and electric, so private and quiet , great property for walking dogs, price was very reasonable and the wine was nice, bought a bottle😊

  • Maddox H.
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Choctaw Lake

    Great spots by the water, although quite humid on hotter days, camp neighbors are welcoming and the camp host is a charm

    Stayed a night and the next day up until two o’clock, (you’re required to check out &pack up before 2pm on leave day) the stay was great, campsite occupants were nice and even gave me and my lady fire starters when we forgot fluid for our coals when we planned on grilling LOL.. we stayed on site 8, it was a nice spot by the back end lake and its quite nice during the day. Nighttime can be quite humid and bug ridden but if you’re equipped for it i’d say this spot is great for beginners or family trips. Fishing is quite slow/inactive unless you’re on a boat, rather over fished.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2025

    Mississippi Art & wine gallery

    R&R Vineyard

    Rich and Ruth are excellent hosts. Rich makes the wine while Ruth is your main host. Quiet little spot with power and water hookups available. As an added bonus on the 2nd and 4h Saturday of every month Ruth makes a home cooked meal for her guests and they bring in local live entertainment.

  • M
    Mar. 15, 2025

    Lake Lurleen State Park Campground

    Nice weekend trip

    I took my kids camping here and we had a great time! Paddle boarding and walking around to different playgrounds! The only downside was the snakes… when we looked for one, we saw one. Literally. They were everywhere.

  • Rick G.
    Feb. 27, 2025

    Dewayne Hayes Campground

    Peaceful Stay

    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. Verizon signal not great, but good.

  • pierre L.
    Dec. 9, 2024

    Jeff Busby Campground

    great place/free

    we stayed here just one night. pletty of place for our rv. First come first serve. has water and bathrooms. Quiet at night and in morning

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2024

    Jeff Busby Campground, Milepost 193.1 — Natchez Trace Parkway

    Great FREE and cozy camping

    This site is a very popular one night stay about mid-point on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The way the campground is constructed makes this a unique place to stay.

    The campsites are very close together causing lots of social interactions. That's the best and worst thing about the campground.

    The park service provides nice bathrooms, garbage cans throughput the campground, picnic tables and multiple pullouts.

    The park also has a paved road and hiking trail to a viewpoint. The road is less than a mile and the trail is over a mile and has some good elevation changes.

    We enjoyed the atmosphere of frequent conversations with other campers. Some kept to themselves...we just waived and smiled.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2024

    Dewayne Hayes Campground

    Peaceful

    Many sites decorated for Halloween. Even little trick or treaters. Many sites on the river. Cool to watch the working barges going by. And lots of armadillos.

  • Lindsey M.
    Oct. 8, 2024

    Town Creek Campground - West Point - MS

    Friendly Creek-Side Find

    RV spots are suitable for car camping, although a bit close together with bright street lights and showers are outdated. Still, the camp host treated me kindly, and I enjoyed the scenery and walkability!


Guide to Columbus

Camping near Columbus, Mississippi, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and friendly campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Whitten Park Campground, have great fishing spots. One camper mentioned, “Fishing off the fishing docks was great!” This is a perfect way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
  • Hiking: Trails are available at places like Trace State Park Campground. A visitor noted, “Nice hiking trails” which makes it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Kayaking: If you enjoy being on the water, Lake Lowndes State Park Campground is ideal. One reviewer shared, “We enjoyed a nice game of disc golf,” highlighting the fun activities available.

What campers like:

  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful environment at places like Burchfield Branch Park. One visitor said, “This is a quiet campground with well spaced sites,” making it perfect for those looking to unwind.
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds, such as Pickensville Campground, have helpful staff. A camper mentioned, “The guy at the front gate was super nice and helpful,” which adds to the overall experience.
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A reviewer at Tombigbee State Park Campground noted, “The bathrooms were clean and well stocked,” which is always appreciated.

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Lake Lowndes State Park Campground, have poor cell reception. One camper warned, “There was no cell phone signal for Verizon once you entered the park,” so plan accordingly.
  • Site Privacy: Some campgrounds, such as Trace State Park Campground, have sites that are close together. A visitor mentioned, “The sites on the loop seemed to afford no privacy,” so if you prefer more space, check the layout before booking.
  • Seasonal Crowds: Popular spots can get busy during holidays. A camper at Deerlick Creek noted, “It was noisy at night with some folks partying,” so be prepared for potential noise during peak times.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Whitten Park Campground, which is described as “very friendly family quiet campgrounds.” This makes it a great choice for families with kids.
  • Plan Activities: Bring bikes and kayaks for fun family outings. One reviewer at Pickensville Campground suggested, “Take your bikes and kayaks!” to enjoy the calm waters.
  • Check for Amenities: Make sure the campground has facilities like playgrounds or swimming areas. A camper at Lake Lowndes State Park Campground mentioned, “Nice trails too!” which can keep kids entertained.

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Big Rig Friendly Sites: Campgrounds like Burchfield Branch Park are big rig friendly, making it easier for larger RVs to navigate. A visitor noted, “Big rig friendly,” which is a must for RV travelers.
  • Check Hookup Availability: Ensure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A camper at Davis Lake Campground mentioned, “Some sites are reservable and others are first come,” so plan ahead.
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Some areas can experience flooding or heavy rain. A camper at Lake Lowndes State Park Campground shared, “A barge flooded the area,” so keep an eye on weather conditions before your trip.

Camping in Columbus, MS, offers a variety of experiences, from peaceful retreats to family-friendly adventures. With the right preparation, you can enjoy all that this beautiful area has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Columbus, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, Columbus, MS offers a wide range of camping options, with 42 campgrounds and RV parks near Columbus, MS and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Columbus, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Columbus, MS is Dewayne Hayes Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

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