Camping sites near Meridian, Mississippi range from lakeside retreats to wooded getaways within 25-40 miles of the city. The region sits in Mississippi's east-central area where two major watersheds meet, creating numerous lakes and water recreation opportunities. Seasonal considerations include high humidity during summer months, with temperatures regularly reaching above 90°F from June through August.
What to Do
Water sports at Okatibbee Lake: The 4,000-acre lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, and bream. At Twiltley Branch, campers can access the water directly from their sites. "Many sites have great water views and access in case you want to launch a kayak or canoe. A short drive away is Collinsville Park with a boat launch providing access to Okatibbee Lake," notes one visitor.
Historical exploration at Dunn's Falls: Located about 30 minutes from Meridian, Dunn's Falls Water Park features a scenic waterfall and historic buildings. "Nice historical building. I was the only camper there when I stayed. Very quiet," reports one camper. The entire park can be explored in under an hour, making it ideal for a day trip from other campgrounds.
Disc golf and hiking: Several campgrounds offer additional outdoor activities beyond water recreation. At Clarkco State Park, visitors appreciate the diverse activities: "Activities included swimming, splash pad, hiking, disk golf, fishing, kayak rentals, and playgrounds," reports a recent camper.
What Campers Like
Spacious, lakefront sites: The Corps of Engineers campgrounds receive high marks for their waterfront locations. "Our site was a nice back-in with a great water view. Since we were there in the fall, the park was not even a quarter full so it was very quiet and peaceful," shares a camper at Twiltley Branch.
Clean facilities: Across multiple campgrounds, reviewers consistently mention well-maintained facilities. At Clarkco State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the amenities: "The campground is showing its age a bit, but is still nice and well maintained. We were in site 37 for 5 days, which was right across the road from one of the few street lights."
Accessibility to town amenities: Many campers value being close enough to Meridian for supplies and dining. "The staff told us about a great restaurant to check out just a few minutes away in the downtown area, Weidmann's. It was delicious! Apparently it's the oldest restaurant in Mississippi and one of the oldest in the US. Downtown is super cute!" notes a visitor at Meridian East-Toomsuba KOA.
What You Should Know
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have varying site qualities. At Meridian East-Toomsuba KOA, one camper notes: "There are two areas to the park really (large gravel parking lot area to allow big rigs to pull through easily...and...smaller back in for more private stays)."
Road conditions and accessibility: Some campgrounds require navigating narrow roads. "Road to the campground was narrow and a little bumpy getting there but was reasonable for an overnight stay," mentions one visitor about Meridian East-Toomsuba KOA.
Wildlife awareness: Okatibbee Lake has resident wildlife to be aware of. "No wading or swimming dt alligators. Many sites are on the water," warns a camper at Twiltley Branch.
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for splash pads and swimming areas: Bonita Lakes RV Park offers family-friendly amenities: "Full hookups, swimming pool, bath house, dog park, fishing lake, and oh yes! There is a train caboose on site. No real shade, but no matter. LEVEL CONCRETE PAD!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
Consider Meridian East-Toomsuba KOA for kids: The water recreation options make this campground a hit with families. "The kids love the elaborate slide built into the hill and the snack bar at the pool. This place is nothing fancy -but simple and just what we needed. There was access to a small general store, showers and laundry facility," notes one family.
Check facility operating hours: Some amenities have limited availability. "Check in time is 2pm, check out noon. The slide is only open Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-6pm. Pool is open daily from 10am-8pm," advises a camper about seasonal operations.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: RV campers should know that site conditions vary widely between campgrounds. "The sites are pretty level, very clean, and lots of tree coverage," reports a camper at Twiltley Branch, while another notes about Benchmark RV Park: "High water pressure, nice but small site."
Watch for dual sewer hookups: At Okatibbee Lake Waterpark, one RVer cautions: "No one told us of the possibility of two sewage hookups and which one should be used. We automatically hooked up to the one on the side by the water and electric. After 3 days there I noticed water puddling... We should have hooked up to the one in the center of the pad underneath our travel trailer."
Connectivity considerations: For those needing to stay connected, service varies by location. "AT&T coverage was 'fair', generally with 1-2 Bars and up to ~1 MB/s, but usually less than 0.4 MB/s. There is no WiFi, no cable, and no DISH satellite coverage at our site," reports an RVer at Clarkco State Park.
