Davis Lake Campground is situated in the Tombigbee National Forest, approximately 4 miles from the Natchez Trace Parkway. The campground features 14 sites positioned directly on the lakeshore, with most pads being paved and level. Temperatures in this region range from winter lows in the 30s to summer highs in the 90s, making spring and fall particularly comfortable for outdoor activities. The campground sits at a modest elevation but offers waterfront camping with sites positioned only about 20 feet from the shoreline.
What to do
Fishing from shore or boat: At Davis Lake Campground, the 200-acre lake offers excellent fishing opportunities without requiring swimmers to compete for space. "We paddle in the area by the campground. Almost all motor boaters are very thoughtful in reducing their wake. Many people are fishing, some are catching and some families are out in pleasure boats cruising on the waterway," notes a visitor at Town Creek Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Puskus Lake in Holly Springs National Forest offers walking trails for those seeking land-based activities. "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," explains one camper.
Birdwatching from campsites: The area provides excellent opportunities for wildlife observation directly from your site. A camper at Davis Lake noted, "All types of birds to watch. Squirrels too. The walking path is about a quarter mile down to a spot where people fish."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many glamping options close to New Houlka, Mississippi benefit from the surrounding national forest setting. "We visited in late September with only 6 sites in use…felt like we had the place to ourselves," shared a Davis Lake visitor.
Clean facilities: Dewayne Hayes Campground maintains high standards for its amenities. "Clean restrooms. Boat ramp inside campground. Always enjoy camping here!" reports one visitor. Another mentions that "The campground hosts were all very friendly and helpful."
Level, well-maintained sites: Most luxury glamping options in the area feature developed sites with good spacing. At Town Creek Campground, "Sites are nicely spaced. During the week, we enjoy watching pilots from the Columbus Air Force Base honing their skills."
What you should know
Reservation needs: Particularly for waterfront sites, planning ahead is essential. At Trace State Park Campground, a camper noted, "We were in site 4 on the lake. Beautiful view! Grounds could use some updating but we really enjoyed our stay here."
Road conditions: Some access roads within certain parks require maintenance. One Trace State Park visitor mentioned, "The roads in the park are terrible! That's the one downside to the park."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across glamping locations near New Houlka. A recent visitor observed, "Cons: not much level space between camper pads, access roads need replacing, sketchy cell service."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming limitations: While boating is popular, swimming may be restricted to designated areas. At Davis Lake, a visitor mentions, "There is a swimming beach, a pier, and plenty of place to tie up a boat."
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds have limited built-in entertainment for children. A Starkville KOA visitor noted, "4 stars only because of lack of amenities for kids, however, they do have games to rent from office."
Wildlife watching opportunities: The various water bodies attract diverse wildlife, creating natural entertainment. At Davis Lake, one camper reports, "Literally lake front camping! The lake is known to anglers, and wildlife and birds are a given."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for solar power: For RVers using alternative power sources, tree coverage matters. At Puskus Lake, a camper advises, "If you have solar or starlink pick your spot wisely as a lot have a ton of trees."
Site lengths and slopes: Not all sites can accommodate larger rigs. A visitor at Davis Lake warns, "The sites away from the water looked to be uneven and on a slope so beware if you take an rv." Another camper adds, "do your research on the campsites. Some are pretty short and will not accommodate long rigs."
Full hookup availability: Hookup options vary by campground and site. At Dewayne Hayes Campground, a visitor explains, "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."
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