Best Tent Camping near Guntown, MS
National forests and public lands surrounding Guntown, Mississippi offer several primitive tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Puskus Lake in Holly Springs National Forest provides tent-only campsites in a forested setting approximately 30 miles northwest of Guntown. Additional tent camping can be found at Cox Lake, also within Holly Springs National Forest, and at specialized bicycle-only tent sites along the Natchez Trace Parkway, including Tupelo Bicycle Only Camp near Saltillo and Witch Dance Bicycle Only Camp near Houston.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of maintenance. Puskus Lake campsites include metal fire rings, lantern poles, and picnic tables, though only one of three outhouses may be operational at any given time. Campers should bring their own toilet paper and drinking water, as water spouts may not function reliably. Sites at Cox Lake and Graham Lake are more primitive with limited facilities. Self-check-in is typically handled at permit boxes near campground entrances. Fees range from free at some locations to $7 per night at Puskus Lake ($3.50 with an interagency pass), with separate day-use fees of $1 at some sites.
Tent campers frequently note the solitude available at these campgrounds. According to reviews, Puskus Lake sites offer good spacing between campsites, with visitors rarely seeing more than 5-6 sites occupied simultaneously. One camper observed that "the campground sits in a nicely forested area just above the lake," providing a peaceful setting for overnight stays. Weekend visitation increases, particularly during fishing season, with sites sometimes filling by nightfall. The area features approximately 5 miles of hiking trails, though some sections may be poorly maintained. Trees suitable for hammocking can be found at several campgrounds, particularly at Second Creek Recreation Area across the state line in Alabama.
