Lake Lowndes State Park and Choctaw Lake provide comfortable cabin camping near Louisville, Mississippi at elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level. Campers find moderate humidity with temperatures averaging 75-90°F during summer months and 45-60°F in winter. Both locations offer waterfront sites within 30 minutes of Louisville, with notable fishing opportunities for bass and bream.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Lake Lowndes State Park Campground features an 18-hole course popular with visitors. "The park has a beautiful small lake with a small beach. Access to mountain bike trails. Verizon cell reception for those going completely out of touch," notes one camper at Choctaw Lake.
Water activities: Kayaking and canoeing are popular at Twiltley Branch campground on Okatibbee Lake. "The best thing about this site was the access to the lake and the little beach where you can wade and swim! This campsite is prone to flooding so it's not always available," shares a visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Birding opportunities abound with eagles and hawks regularly spotted. "Saw eagles and some cute little red birds we couldn't identify," mentions a Choctaw Lake visitor. At Twiltley Branch, another camper reports "Lots of birds and alligators to see."
What campers like
Lakefront sites: Many campsites offer direct water access. At DeWayne Hayes Campground, "We camped in a tent on site 88. Right on the tombigbee," one visitor shares. Another adds, "We launch and paddle from our site."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. One visitor to Starkville KOA mentioned, "Bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean. Grounds were clean. Very quiet place."
Yurt camping options: While traditional yurt camping in Louisville, Mississippi is limited, similar glamping experiences are available. "Very nice campground. Clean bath houses with showers, beautiful lake with a small beach," reports a visitor about alternative sheltered accommodations at Choctaw Lake.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Lake Lowndes, certain sites offer better experiences. A camper advises, "We have stayed at #43, #41, #1, #31 and #35 and we love them all. 31, 41, and 43 are the best."
Tent pad conditions: Not all sites accommodate tent camping comfortably. A Choctaw Lake visitor cautions, "Campsites are on top of each other with very little tree cover. Also, tents cannot be set up on grass; only on their 'tent pads' (jagged rocks)."
Seasonal considerations: During summer months, insects can be problematic. "Nighttime can be quite humid and bug ridden but if you're equipped for it I'd say this spot is great for beginners or family trips," notes a Choctaw Lake visitor.
Lake water levels: At Town Creek Campground, water levels remain consistent for recreation, while a Starkville KOA visitor warns, "The lake that was an attraction including water slides and fishing docks is dry and has been for a couple of years."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Lake Lowndes State Park, a visitor mentions, "They have a nice playground for the younger kids and disc golf for the older kids. And the lake is great for fishing and kayaking."
Kid-friendly water areas: Swimming beaches with gradual entry points work well for families with young children. "Nice cozy campground on the lake. The campsites are almost all right next to the water... Nice little beach for swimming, boating and fishing," shares a Choctaw Lake visitor.
Indoor recreation options: For rainy days, some parks offer indoor facilities. A Lake Lowndes visitor notes the park has "a huge admin building with many indoor games like pool and ping pong."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Okatibbee Lake Waterpark, RVers should verify sewer connections. "Beware of 2 sewage hookups... we should have hooked up to the one in the center of the pad underneath our travel trailer," warns one RVer.
Leveling considerations: Most RV sites are well-maintained but some require attention. "Sites are pretty level, very clean, and lots of tree coverage," notes a Twiltley Branch visitor.
Site size constraints: For larger rigs, site selection is important. "Sites are deep but some are a little bit narrow so be careful if you have slides on both sides," advises a Twiltley Branch camper.
