Campgrounds near Hernando, Mississippi primarily serve as gateways to the Arkabutla Lake recreation area with sites situated 15-20 miles from the city center. The terrain around these camping areas features rolling hills with elevations between 200-300 feet above sea level. Water levels at lakeside campgrounds fluctuate seasonally, with sites often becoming unavailable during high water periods in spring.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Dub Patton Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. "I love the fishing," notes Thomas W., who considers the Corps of Engineers camp "top rated." The campground maintains clean facilities while offering water and electric hookups without sewer connections.
Barge watching: Tom Sawyer's RV Park offers Mississippi River views with unique transportation sightings. "Tugboats pushed barges against the current at a slower than walking pace. Trees with root balls intact floated downstream," describes Greg S. The riverside sites allow campers to observe commercial river traffic throughout the day.
Water recreation: South Abutment Recreation Area provides direct lake access for paddlers. "Nice spot for simple outdoor recreation like kayaking or SUP on a lake. Almost all sites have a walk down to the water," reports Tricia C. Boat ramps allow for easy launching while shore fishing remains popular during cooler months.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Lake views and generous spacing between sites rank highly among camper preferences. "Sites are paved and full hookups at site. Nice view!" Anna D. mentions about Hernando Point, where many campers appreciate the waterfront positioning and privacy between sites.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities consistently earn positive reviews. "Super clean showers, bathroom and laundry. The grounds are impeccable and sites and roads are all paved," reports LuAnn R. about EZ Daze RV Park, noting site 21 as particularly private at the end of a row.
Recreational variety: Family-friendly amenities beyond basic camping facilities appeal to visitors. "This RV park served us well for our first night in our Hymer. Clean and surprisingly quiet," writes KimnJohn M., who recommends riverside sites for optimal views of boat traffic and shoreline scenery.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels: Lake-adjacent campgrounds experience significant water level fluctuations. "The lake was low, low, low. As there were only about 5 other campers there, we had our choice of sites!" notes Bran P. During drought periods, waterfront sites may be separated from the shoreline by exposed lake bed.
Urban proximity: Some campgrounds near Hernando sit close to urban areas or highways. "It's a city RV park, what do we really expect? It's not camping for sure," Jessica P. explains about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Memphis, mentioning "noise, sure, but nothing a fan or AC could drown out. Airplanes every few hours, traffic from a nearby highway."
Service availability: Cell service and internet access vary significantly between campgrounds. "Strong wifi, cable reception wasn't great," Karen notes, adding that some rural sites require signal boosters for adequate connectivity. T.O. Fuller State Park experiences limited cell reception in certain areas of the campground.
Tips for camping with families
Budget-friendly options: Corps of Engineer campgrounds provide economical alternatives to commercial parks. "Rate was $10 with Sr Lifetime Pass," mentions Annell N. about Dub Patton Recreation Area, making it substantially less expensive than private RV parks charging $70-100 nightly.
Entertainment planning: Campgrounds without built-in activities require advance planning. "Had a huge spot with lots of shade. Only complaint was there was no playground in the actual camping area," Susan R. reports. Family campers often bring portable games and sports equipment for on-site entertainment.
Security considerations: Urban-adjacent campgrounds maintain varying security measures. "24/7 security. Staff onsite in office from 9 am to 4 pm," states Renee H. when describing the dog-friendly campgrounds near Hernando at Graceland RV Park, noting security features matter for families concerned about urban camping locations.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choosing appropriate sites based on rig size and setup needs requires research. "Level, nice concrete pads. Good hookups," deb K. explains, adding that "excellent WiFi and verizon reception" make EZ Daze suitable for remote workers traveling by RV.
Area navigation challenges: Routes to certain campgrounds present difficulties for large vehicles. "Holy heck the drive getting to this place is crazy... through a shady part of Memphis, past all kinds of industry, across tracks and over a dike, down a curvy bumpy gravel road," warns Greg S. RVers should research approach routes carefully, especially for river-adjacent campgrounds.
Power considerations: Some campgrounds experience electrical issues affecting sensitive equipment. "I tried it on another pedestal in the morning and received an E2 error code. I checked my Powerdog app and it showed 142.5 volts on line 2," reports andrew, suggesting surge protectors may be essential for protecting electronics at certain facilities.
