Dog-Friendly Camping near New Houlka, MS

Davis Lake Recreation Area provides waterfront camping with electric hookups for both tents and RVs approximately 4 miles from the Natchez Trace Parkway. The 200-acre lake borders most campsites within this northern Mississippi destination. The campground features well-maintained bathhouses, wildlife viewing opportunities, and access to the nearby Tanglefoot Trail. Water pressure remains consistent throughout the camping area, with concrete pads available at several locations.

What to do

Fishing from your campsite: Multiple waterfront sites at Davis Lake Campground offer direct lake access for anglers. "Many people boating and fishing. The walking path is about a quarter mile down to a spot where people fish," notes Bruce F., who visited in 2021. The 200-acre lake supports various fish species without requiring long hikes to reach fishing spots.

Disc golf course: Tombigbee State Park offers a full disc golf course winding through wooded areas. "The disc golf course is very fun. It has an interesting layout in the woods so it is much like a hike," describes Ryan S. The course provides both recreation and exercise with natural obstacles throughout the layout.

Boat launching: Several campgrounds feature boat launches suitable for kayaks and motorboats. "There is a swimming beach, a pier, and plenty of place to tie up a boat," reports Nate S. about Davis Lake. Visitors should note that shallow areas exist in some waterways, particularly at Blue Bluff where "water along this stretch of the Tombigbee Waterway is very shallow and even kayaks can run aground in the mud."

What campers like

Lakefront proximity: At Trace State Park Campground, visitors appreciate waterfront sites. "We were in site 4 on the lake. Beautiful view!" writes Scott B. The park features multiple sites with unobstructed water views and easy shoreline access for fishing and relaxation.

Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive mentions in reviews. "Bathrooms were A+++ clean!" reports Bruce F. about Davis Lake. Similarly, at Howard Stafford Park, a reviewer noted "Small tidy county park with full hookups" and mentioned that the campground is "very clean with friendly host."

Wildlife viewing: Bird watching opportunities exist throughout the region's campgrounds. "Great wildlife! Came here for bird watching," reports Lynn G. about Davis Lake. Another camper mentioned, "All types of birds to watch. Squirrels too." The waterfront settings attract various waterfowl and woodland creatures throughout the seasons.

What you should know

Site limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV length or pad size. At Whitten Park Campground, a visitor advised to "do your research on the campsites. Some are pretty short and will not accommodate long rigs." Similarly, at Trace State Park, a camper noted "not much level space between camper pads, access roads need replacing."

Seasonal availability: Water levels and facility access vary by season. During peak summer months, shaded sites provide relief from heat, while certain amenities may be limited in off-season. One camper mentioned, "No showers due to covid" during their stay at Davis Lake, indicating that facility access can change based on circumstances.

Local services: The nearest full-service town is Tupelo, approximately 30 minutes from most campgrounds. "Local veterinary services can be found in nearby Tupelo, approximately 30 minutes away, which also offers pet supply stores." For smaller needs, some areas have closer options: "There's a gas station at the entrance to the park for snacks and ice."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Blue Bluff Campground features "a nice playground" near most sites. At Tombigbee State Park, a visitor mentioned "multiple updated playgrounds" providing recreation options for younger campers regardless of weather conditions.

Swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming locations. "There's a swimming beach, a pier, and plenty of place to tie up a boat," notes a Davis Lake visitor. However, at Blue Bluff, one camper advised "muscle shells are ever present so I would recommend aquatic footwear if you plan on using this area."

Open recreation areas: Tombigbee State Park includes "a big field, playground and baseball diamond" across from the campground loop, providing space for group activities. Another camper mentioned that at Howard Stafford Park, "the campground is attached to a public use park" with "a splash pad, a basketball court, and several piers on the lake for fishing."

Tips from RVers

Leveling considerations: Site grading varies significantly between campgrounds. At Blue Bluff, sites feature "level concrete pads" while at Tombigbee State Park, "inside loop spots are mostly close together, very little privacy." At Campground at Barnes Crossing, "sites are pull through and on gravel. Relatively close to one another but not bothersome."

Hookup positioning: Electric and water connections vary by campground. At Moon Lake Farm, a visitor praised the "30 amp power and water available" noting it was "well kept." At Davis Lake, campsites include "level, paved, and all had nice spacing, picnic tables, fire pits and well cared for electric service (50 amp) and water."

Reservation strategy: Several campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. At Davis Lake, one camper observed, "Some sites had already been booked for next week. Seems like this is a very popular place." Similarly, at Blue Bluff, a visitor during a holiday weekend noted "the campground was full for the fall holiday."