Camping near Columbus, MS

Columbus, Mississippi sits along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, providing a convenient base for camping in east-central Mississippi. The area features a mix of Corps of Engineers campgrounds and state parks within 30 miles of the city. Camping spots along the waterway offer views of working barges that regularly traverse this major navigation channel connecting the Tennessee River to the Gulf of Mexico.

What to do

Disc golf courses: Lake Lowndes State Park Campground features a popular 18-hole course that attracts enthusiasts. "The park has a beautiful small lake for boating, fishing, and other water sports as well. Other things to do include an amazing frisbee golf course, tennis courts, softball fields, children's playground, hiking, biking, and a huge admin building with many indoor games like pool and ping pong," shares Richard W.

Watch barge traffic: Dewayne Hayes Campground offers riverfront sites with views of commercial traffic. "Many sites on the river. Cool to watch the working barges going by. And lots of armadillos," notes one camper. The campground has a walking trail leading to a cypress slough that adds another natural element to explore.

Paddling opportunities: Town Creek Campground provides access to calm waters suitable for canoes and kayaks. "We paddle in the area by the campground. Almost all motor boaters are very thoughtful in reducing their wake. Many people are fishing, some are catching and some families are out in pleasure boats cruising on the waterway," reports Cyndi H.

What campers like

Spacious waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the river and lake views at several campgrounds. "Busy campground but enough space so it doesn't feel like your neighbors are right on top of you. Plenty of shade and many spots have a direct view of the Tenn-Tom Waterway," writes Will G. about Dewayne Hayes Campground.

Walking trails: Blue Bluff Campground offers a scenic walking path from the campground to the picnic area that provides views of the lock and dam. "The walk from the campground to the picnic area offers a quiet (~ 2 mi round trip) and views of the lock and dam," notes one reviewer.

Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "We fell in love with the ducks, geese, and deer families that run around every night," writes a Lake Lowndes visitor. At Pickensville Campground, the barges provide an industrial contrast to the natural setting: "Site 129 is directly on the water with a front row seat for watching the boats and barges."

What you should know

Ant issues: Several campgrounds report problems with ants, particularly during warmer months. "At about 4:00 am, we awoke to find ants invading the trailer. The outside of the trailer was covered with thousands of ants and they were pouring into the trailer. A park employee came in the afternoon and sprayed all entry points around the trailer," reports Terry P. at Lake Lowndes. Consider bringing ant prevention supplies during summer visits.

Cell service limitations: Pickensville Campground has spotty connectivity. "Verizon service was flaky and bounced between no service to slow," notes Neil T. Similarly, Lake Lowndes has limited cell reception: "I gave this stay a 4 out of 5 since there was no cell phone signal for Verizon once you entered the park."

Tent camping challenges: Some campgrounds are more oriented toward RVs than tents. "The 'pad' was pea gravel, impossible to stake my tent. And, the super nice man running the place informed me I was to set up on the pad," reports Jennifer W. about Town Creek. At Blue Bluff, tent campers note: "It seems like the sites which aren't waterfront are a little more tent friendly, but our tent fit just fine in the gravel area by the picnic table."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: The Oaks RV Park and several other campgrounds offer playgrounds. Pickensville Campground has "a decent playground" according to Anna M., though she notes that while it's "great for looking at water," you "wouldn't be able to fish here without a boat."

Kid-friendly activities: Lake Lowndes State Park offers diverse recreation. "The park has a nice playground for the younger kids and disc golf for the older kids. And the lake is great for fishing and kayaking," shares Linda O. The park also features indoor games at the administration building.

Group camping options: Dewayne Hayes Campground accommodates family gatherings well. "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," notes Rick G. This flexibility helps families camp together while meeting different needs.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Most campgrounds feature level sites, making setup easier. "Level sites, clean restrooms. Boat ramp inside campground," reports Ben P. about Dewayne Hayes. At Blue Bluff, campers note "level spaces and easy to back in."

Seasonal considerations: During holiday weekends, expect full campgrounds. "The campground was full for the fall holiday. However, the energy was great," notes Vince B. about Blue Bluff in October. Many campgrounds offer Halloween activities: "Many sites decorated for Halloween. Even little trick or treaters," reports a Dewayne Hayes visitor.