Camping opportunities near Saltillo, Mississippi center around the Holly Springs National Forest and Natchez Trace Parkway. The area's rolling pine forests sit at elevations between 300-600 feet, creating moderate terrain suitable for various camping styles. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons for tent campsites near Saltillo, Mississippi.
What to do
Fishing at Cox Lake: The small fishing lake within Holly Springs National Forest offers primitive camping without amenities. "Great little fishing lake," notes camper B C., though visitors should prepare for minimal facilities and bring all necessary supplies.
Kayaking at Puskus Lake: The lake provides calm waters ideal for paddling with several wide docks available. "Fun little quick trip to paddle around in kayak, fish & enjoy great meal over grill," shares David H., who appreciated the peaceful setting for water recreation.
Hiking nearby trails: Puskus Recreation Area offers approximately 5 miles of trails surrounding the campground. According to Kim N., "There are 2 trails you can walk on around the campsite but they only equal about 5 miles and are not maintained very well in some areas although they are flat and easy to explore."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Puskus Lake campsites provide considerable space between sites. "The campground itself 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," explains Kim N., who appreciated the layout.
Quiet weekday camping: Midweek visitors often find near-complete solitude. Dexter I. reports, "On my visit I was the only one their with the exception of two others fishing out on the lake," making it perfect for those seeking a peaceful experience away from crowds.
Waterfront access: Many sites provide proximity to water. Alex B. notes, "One site has a dock right in front of it, could park kayaks and or a boat," and describes sites as "around 100-50 feet from the water" with "wonderful sunset" views.
What you should know
Facilities condition: Graham Lake near Sardis Lake offers basic accommodations. Steve G. advises, "Bathrooms are there but bring your own paper," and calls it "a very small campground with about 5 spots" with no hookups available.
Busy weekend patterns: Despite seeming remote, some campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. Natalee F. shares her experience at Puskus Lake: "I camped here just one night in May 2021 on a Saturday, I got there at about 3pm and was the first there but by nightfall every site was full."
Maintenance issues: Some sites show signs of neglect. Ben H. described Puskus as "Very run down and lots of bugs," adding it was "fine for this" as a quick stopover but "wouldn't go out of the way to come back."
Fee information: Self-check-in systems operate at several sites. Skyler B. notes Puskus Lake "is a Fee area. It's 1$ for day use and 7$ for camp use. Bring cash," while Alex B. adds it's "$3.50 for those awesome folks with an interagency pass."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for privacy: Choose secluded spots for family camping. Justin Y. describes Puskus Recreation Area as "very well remote off of HWY 30 in the Holly Springs National Forest" and mentions it's "fairly well patrolled by game wardens."
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for potential wildlife encounters. Justin Y. advises campers to "Be mindful of snakes and you're usual pests" when camping in the area.
Water safety considerations: Lakes permit boating but not always swimming. Kim N. cautions that while at Puskus Lake "you can boat or fish on the lake, you cannot swim in the lake so keep that in mind if you are going somewhere where you want to cool off."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Cox Lake accommodates smaller vehicles better than large ones. Kelly C. considers it a "good pick" if "looking for a place to pitch your tent for a night" but mentions issues with "lots of litter and shot gun shells."
Boondocking options: Graham Lake works for self-sufficient camping without hookups. Steve G. notes, "If you're in a small to medium travel trailer or a tent, this could work out" but cautions "Large rigs are a no go I would think, as access can be tight."
Solar considerations: Site selection affects power generation capabilities. At Puskus Lake, Bryce K. advises, "If you have solar or starlink pick your spot wisely as a lot I have a ton of trees," which can interfere with solar panel efficiency.
