Campgrounds near Brookhaven, Mississippi range from state parks with extensive amenities to more secluded forest service sites. The region sits in the pine belt of southwest Mississippi, with elevations between 300-400 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Lincoln State Park offers excellent bank fishing during spring months. "We went in spring both times and bank fishing was exceptional," noted a visitor to Lake Lincoln State Park Campground. The recently renovated Lake Mary Crawford provides good bluegill fishing after being restocked.
Hiking trails: Clear Springs Recreation Area features multiple trail options within the Homochitto National Forest. "There is a loop hiking trail around the lake and a longer mountain bike/hiking trail," explains a camper who visited Clear Springs Lake Rec Area NF Campground. The area offers over 17 miles of interconnected trails ranging from easy lakeside loops to more challenging forest paths.
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas and boat access. "We enjoyed fishing and kayaking on the lake. The campground is very scenic with lake views," shared a visitor at Lake Lincoln. Calling Panther Lake is another option for water recreation, with one camper noting it's an ideal place for fishing trips.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. At Percy Quin State Park, campers note site separation varies. "The sites were all quite close to one another, not affording much seclusion and privacy from other guests," observed one visitor. In contrast, at Clear Springs Recreation Area, "The sites are flat, well groomed, with access to the pond and trail around the pond."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds feature wildlife viewing opportunities. "When our best friends and travel companions bought a camper, we couldn't wait to all go camping together with our kids and dogs," wrote a visitor to Percy Quin State Park Campground. Paradise Ranch RV Resort is known for its free-roaming red stag deer that visitors can feed by hand.
Lake views: Waterfront campsites are highly valued. "We were at site 64, which is directly on the lake. Concrete pad, that was pretty level," reported a Lake Lincoln visitor. Another camper at Percy Quin mentioned, "We brought our kayaks and were able to dock at our campsite."
What you should know
Bathhouse conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Lake Lincoln campers report, "Bath houses in good shape and air conditioned." However, at Lake Mary Crawford, one visitor noted the "bath house in the camping area is old but clean."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies considerably throughout the region. "I had good Verizon cell service. AT&T and TMobile had no service and the Starlink worked pretty well even with the trees obstructing," reported a visitor at Lake Lincoln. At Rocky Springs Campground, "1 bar Verizon, not enough to load any GPS or internet but you can squeeze a message out."
Road access: Some campgrounds require traveling on forest service roads. For Calling Panther Lake, one camper advised, "Road wasn't great but also wasn't full of pot holes as I expected... just keep your speed to about 35 and you'll be fine."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Lake Lincoln State Park, campers mention a playground for children, though one visitor noted, "Has a playground, swimming area was closed though." Paradise Ranch RV Resort offers extensive kid-friendly features including "a nice pool area and playground for the kids."
Family-friendly sites: Some campsites are better suited for families with children. At Paradise Ranch RV Resort, "This place is very kid and family friendly! Upon first arriving in our RV, we checked in and rented a golf cart. This ranch is huge so you need some form of wheels, even if you just bring a bike."
Educational opportunities: Rocky Springs Campground offers historical exploration. "We explored the old church and what's left of the city. There is a lot to do for such a small campground," mentioned a family who visited with their tent.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes and accessibility: Larger RVs may find some campgrounds challenging. "This is a great campground nestled in the woods. Some of the campsites border part of the lake and more are wooded," noted a visitor to Clear Springs who advised RV campers to select "sites 13-22" while tent campers should use "sites 1-12."
Hookup availability: Calling Panther Lake offers full-service sites. "Park has pull through and back in, level concrete pads with fire pit and table, 50/30/15 electric, water and sewer," reported one RVer. At Lake Lincoln, sites feature "full hook ups, plenty of shade, nice size lots."
Level sites: Finding level pads is important for RV campers. Percy Quin State Park offers asphalt pads, though some campers note a slight slope on certain sites. Lake Lincoln has "level pads" according to multiple reviews, making setup easier for RV campers.
