Crawford campgrounds provide access to Alabama and Mississippi waterways with tent and RV sites on the Tombigbee River system. The region sits at relatively low elevations between 200-300 feet above sea level with clay soil that can affect drainage during rainfall. Camping spots near Crawford, Mississippi offer connections to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway with multiple Corps of Engineers campgrounds providing reliable amenities within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway offers numerous put-in spots for kayaks and canoes. Dewayne Hayes Campground provides convenient water access where "We launch and paddle from our site. The walking path is about 3 miles round trip from the the day-use boat ramp and playground to the campground end" according to a visitor at Dewayne Hayes Campground.
Disc golf courses: Several camping areas feature well-maintained disc golf facilities. Lake Lowndes State Park receives praise for its "amazing frisbee golf course" with one camper noting "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."
Barge watching: Many waterfront sites offer unique industrial views. At Town Creek Campground, one camper reports "The barges, more frequent during the day, have the occasional after dark run. They are fascinating to watch and quite pretty at night." This activity requires no equipment and provides educational interest for all ages.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many visitors prioritize river and lake views when booking. A camper at Pickensville Campground shared their experience at "Site 129 is directly on the water with a front row seat for watching the boats and barges. Another pleasant COE campground with friendly and helpful staff." Sites along the water tend to book faster, especially during spring and fall.
Wildlife viewing: The region's wetlands support diverse animal species. At Town Creek Campground, campers report frequent sightings of "working and playing" wildlife with military training flights adding unexpected aerial views: "During the week, we enjoy watching pilots from the Columbus Air Force Base honing their skills." Armadillo sightings are common at many campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and grounds. At Starkville KOA, one visitor noted "Bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean. Grounds were clean. Very quiet place." Facility quality varies seasonally with some bathhouses having limited maintenance during winter months.
What you should know
Ant problems: Multiple campgrounds report ant issues, particularly during warmer months. Sites on grass or near water may require preparation. One camper warns to "Take ant precautions" before setting up camp. Bringing appropriate ant treatments is recommended.
Cell service variability: Signal strength changes dramatically between and within campgrounds. At Lake Lowndes State Park, a visitor noted problems despite proximity to towns: "There was no cell phone signal for Verizon once you entered the park even though it's so close to the town of New Hope." At Pickensville, another camper reported "Verizon service was flaky and bounced between no service to slow."
Flooding concerns: Low-lying areas can experience water issues during heavy rains. At Lake Lowndes State Park Campground, a camper mentioned "This is local to us and we've been a few times. The last time however a barge flooded the area. Caused some shut downs." Having backup plans during rainy seasons is advisable.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. A Pickensville Campground visitor noted facilities were sometimes temporarily closed: "Sadly the playground and basketball courts were closed and we didn't know." Calling ahead to verify playground availability prevents disappointment.
Indoor game options: Weather backup activities exist at some locations. Lake Lowndes State Park provides "a huge admin building with many indoor games like pool and ping pong" according to a satisfied camper. These facilities may have seasonal or limited hours.
Wildlife education: The region's wetlands create learning opportunities about local ecosystems. At Dewayne Hayes Campground, a scout leader reported "We went in April with our scouting troop. Very busy even then. Lots of small hiking trails. Nothing too fancy. Dollar general 10 minutes down the road if you need anything. Several primitive sites. Our troop made friends with some other kids nearby as well."
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Most established campgrounds provide reliable pads for parking. At The Oaks RV Park, the newer facilities receive praise with one camper noting "This is great little campground. The Cabins were recently added and is a nice feature. Always quiet and owners are very accommodating."
Water quality issues: Some locations experience temporary water discoloration. At Pickensville Campground, one RVer mentioned "The water ran brown for a while. I'm guessing it just hadn't been used at our site over winter. It cleared up after a minute and I flushed it for another 5." Running water before hookup is recommended.
Site spacing: RV sites vary in privacy and proximity. Dewayne Hayes Campground receives positive feedback with one visitor noting "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."
