Andrea B.
Traveler
TravelerOak Grove (MS) — Sardis Lake
Lots of sites. Bath houses aged but have great hot water.
Tent Camping near Olive Branch, MS
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent camping opportunities near Olive Branch, Mississippi include several primitive sites scattered around Arkabutla Lake and Sardis Lake, approximately 20-30 miles from town. Kellys Crossing Campground offers basic tent sites with access to Arkabutla Lake, while Beach Point at Sardis Lake provides tent-only camping with lake views. Most sites are simple with minimal development but provide access to water recreation and fishing opportunities.
Tent sites in this region generally feature basic amenities, with most offering picnic tables and fire rings but limited services. Kellys Crossing has vault toilets and trash disposal, but no drinking water on site. Beach Point requires campers to park in a designated lot and carry gear to walk-in tent sites, which offers more privacy and separation from vehicles. A camper noted, "You have to park in the parking lot and carry your stuff to the site. But it's a tent-only campground and there were only a couple other tents there so it was quiet and peaceful." Most primitive tent campgrounds in the area are self-service with payment envelopes at information boards.
The Holly Springs National Forest area contains several rustic tent camping options, including Cox Lake and Puskus Lake, which attract fewer visitors than the larger Corps of Engineers sites. These primitive tent areas provide greater solitude for campers seeking to disconnect. According to a review, "This is a great location to disconnect, but do not expect the amenities other sites offer." Summer months bring increased insect activity, particularly at Beach Point where one visitor reported, "The flies were so bad!" Fall and spring typically offer more comfortable tent camping conditions. Most tent sites in the region provide shade from the surrounding forest, though campers should come prepared with adequate water and insect protection. Weather conditions can change quickly, making three-season tents advisable even during warmer months.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Olive Branch (9)
1. T.O. Fuller State Park Campground
"Fuller SP Is a decent campground situated 5 miles from Graceland and about 15 minutes (by car) from downtown Memphis."
"Quiet campground within Memphis city limits, right off of the hwy 15 mins from downtown. Friendly knowledgeable staff, beautiful trails and nice full hookup campsites, clean modern bathrooms/showers."
21 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
2. Pleasant Hill Campground
3. Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground
"According to the head Ranger, we were the first to camp on this site since its renovation. Previously it had been a tent pad, but was now a concrete pad with a new 50A post and new water hydrant."
"I had to ask for everything, like a campsite map to my site, a trail map, and buying firewood. Nothing was offered, so definitely ask. The layout is also backwards."
11 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
4. Puskus Lake
"One bathroom away from the sites in the "day use" area. Mostly fisherman. The lake has motor oil/ fuel running on the surface. The docks nice, wide with bench seating."
"I spoke to a ranger this morning who said the road is full of widow makers. People are moving his barricades and going in anyway."
5. Beach Point - Sardis Lake
"We reserved campsites 13 and 14, at the far end, behind the restrooms. You have to park in the parking lot and carry your stuff to the site."
"Cars stay in the parking lot, and you walk up to your site. Pretty basic. Running water, flushable toilets, no showers. Quiet area. Early march, it was raining and I was the only one there"
Check Availabilityfrom $8 / night
6. Cox Lake
7. Graham Lake
"No hookups. Nothing. But, it is a free campground so what can you say. It’s rather nice there. This is a very small campground with about 5 spots."
8. Elmers Hill
"Nice little spot with about 8 tent sites. No hookups of any kind for campers. Bathrooms are currently closed, but we’re nice when we stayed there, but old. Drinking water is available."
9. Hays Crossing
Drive Time
- 22 min from Memphis, TN
- 1 hr 16 min from Jonesboro, AR
- 1 hr 18 min from Jackson, TN
- 2 hrs 15 min from Florence, AL
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Olive Branch, MS
15 Photos of 9 Olive Branch Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Olive Branch, MS
405 Reviews of 9 Olive Branch Campgrounds
Jeremy B.
GuideSouth Abutment Recreation Area
We stayed here for two nights. Got here after dark in a torrential downpour and it was my first time backing in our new camper. Gotta admit, took about an hour and we got completely soaked, but got it backed in. There’s definitely a lesson in there. The rest of the time has been beautiful and peaceful. The bathrooms and showers are clean with plenty of hot water on tap. Plenty of space between most campsites so privacy was never a concern. Most of the close by walking trails are closed, so we visited a nearby one called Ark Trail just a few miles away, which was awesome! At the time of our stay, the access road for the Arkabutla Lake Dam was closed, so it has a detour that takes you another couple miles around.
Dawn S.GuideGraceland RV Park & Campground
Very easy to work with. Bathrooms and showers are clean. Walking distance to Graceland and a short ride to everything downtown. It's a beautiful campground. We would stay again.
- Jeremy B.Guide
Pats Bluff
We stayed here for two nights at site #1. Overall a quiet and peaceful experience. Got serenaded by the crows and bluejays. Saw a couple armadillos…well, we heard them first. They sound like a herd of bison running through the leaves! Got to see a cool tree frog outside the restroom. The showers were not the best, but private. The only access to the lake is by the boat ramp which doesn’t allow you anywhere to walk down to the lake from this side if you just want to take a stroll. The price is now $24 a night. There was a burn ban, so no fire for us.
Evelyn M.
ScoutTom Sawyer's RV Park
Like others, we found the area outside the park to be industrial and a little dodgy, but once in the park itself, it is a real gem! The barge channel is right off the park's riverbank, so you get an up close look as they pass by
Liesel G.GuideJohn W. Kyle State Park Campground
Quite Scenery beside the lake
We stayed at camp spot 216 with our 36 ft class A RV. It had full hook up and our stay for 1 night was scenic and quiet. There is only ONE functioning bathroom in this lowered end camp ground at the time of our stay and is only has cold water showers. The facility was clean though. The camp hosts at the gate house were, helpful, polite and friendly. We paid $38 for the night at this Premium location with waterfront. No swimming allowed in the lake, but you can fish. Would stay here again for a pit stop, but since we cant bathe in the bathhouse I wouldn't recommend a long stay unless you had your own camper with shower ans toilet facility to use.
- PPaul S.Guide
Graceland RV Park & Campground
A Great Place to Stay for the Full Memphis Experience
We really enjoyed our stay at Graceland RV Park and Campground. If you’re coming to Memphis to visit Graceland, it’s hard to beat the location. Being so close made everything easy and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the whole experience without rushing.
The Graceland Mansion tour was fantastic. Even if you’ve seen it countless times on TV, actually walking through Elvis’s home and seeing the rooms for yourself is something completely different. There’s so much history there, and it really gives you a sense of the man behind the legend.
We were equally impressed with the museums and exhibits. There is far more to see than we expected, from Elvis’s cars and stage outfits to memorabilia and displays covering his incredible career. Give yourself a good 3–4 hours at a minimum to see everything properly. You could easily spend longer if you’re a big Elvis fan.
While we were in Memphis, we also made the trip downtown to Beale Street, and we’re glad we did. It’s exactly the kind of place you picture when you think of Memphis — live music coming from the bars, plenty of restaurants, lots of places to grab a drink and a great atmosphere as you walk along the street. It made for a brilliant evening after spending the day at Graceland.
For us, staying at Graceland RV Park, touring the mansion and museums, and then experiencing the music, bars and restaurants of Beale Street made for a memorable Memphis visit.
We’d happily stay here again. If you’re traveling by RV and Graceland is on your bucket list, this is a great place to make your base.
Erin L.GuideHollywood Casino RV Park - Tunica
Only RV Park around Tunica Resorts
Booked a complete reservation(paid in full) online 2 weeks in advance and called a few days prior to inquire on check-in procedures and ask about early check in since we were coming from a few hours away. Was told that the RV Park has"any time" check in and when you check in proceed to the hotel registration desk to receive your site number. Upon arrival-- DO NOT FOLLOW THE SIGNS THAT DIRECT YOU TO THE RV PARK! Instead proceed down the far, far left arrow(not under the archway) around the back and that will take you to the hotel entrance where you can park easily to go inside and check in I reserved a pull through. We did not get a pull through. Every pull through was occupied but one and the water did not work on that site. We were given a back in site. I asked at check in if it was the same price since I booked a pull through and was told it was the same price. I also asked if we would fit and was informed that every site is the same length. They are not! We were given site#43. We did not even attempt it, we would not have fit. Our camper is 35 ft. And truck is 25 ft. I called the number and was transferred to the supervisor and explained the situation. By chance we were driving around and saw site#10 and inquired while she was on the phone with me. We fit in site#10. 1st and foremost, I am in no way bashing work camps. They serve a purpose and hubby has utilized them over the years with his previous employment. However, this is a work camp with a few travelers. Totally misrepresented online. It is not your typical casino RV park. It is run down along with the casino and several of the casinos in the Tunica area have been closed or are being torn down. It was quiet-ish. Being a work camp, diesels fired up between 3am-6am. People returned to their campers between 5pm-8pm. The bathhouse resembled a barracks after quitting time. Quiet time was 10pm and it was quiet until it was time to go to work. Everyone around did keep to themselves. Our"neighbors" were friendly and courteous. The RV park served its purpose to decompress and look at our route over the Mississippi River. We camped at Hollywood Casino Hotel& RV Park in a Travel Trailer.
- Lee W.Scout
Dub Patton Campground
10 out of 10
Awesome Clean camp grounds with easy bathroom and water and electric hook ups definitely a 10 out of 10
Guide to Olive Branch
Tent camping near Olive Branch, Mississippi extends across two significant Army Corps of Engineers lakes—Arkabutla and Sardis—with camping opportunities on both shorelines. Located in the northernmost part of Mississippi, these camping areas sit at approximately 300 feet elevation with terrain transitioning from the Mississippi Delta floodplain to the eastern hill country. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter lows can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing from shore access: At Cox Lake in Holly Springs National Forest, anglers find easily accessible shorelines. "Great little fishing lake," notes one visitor, though some areas show signs of previous use with "lots of litter and shot gun shells."
Paddling on calm waters: Puskus Lake offers protected waters ideal for kayaking. "Fun little quick trip to paddle around in kayak, fish & enjoy great meal over grill," reports one camper. The lake features "docks nice, wide with bench seating" where visitors can relax after time on the water.
Disconnecting from technology: Forest Service campgrounds provide opportunities to unplug completely. A camper at Puskus Lake explains, "This is a great location to disconnect, but do not expect the amenities other sites offer (bathrooms, electricity, water, etc.)."
What campers like
Uncrowded camping: Many campsites around Olive Branch remain relatively undiscovered. At Elmers Hill, "This place is a gem if you're a tent camper. We have camped here once, but most of the time it is closed. I am not sure why. Nice little spot with about 8 tent sites."
Free camping options: Several areas offer no-cost camping with basic amenities. At Hays Crossing, "It is a free campground, so really, one can't complain. The view is great. You can see out across the lake. There is plenty of space to hike and explore."
Winter solitude: Off-season camping provides maximum privacy. At Kellys Crossing, one December visitor reported, "The fee has been reduced to free, so enjoy but be respectful! I am visiting at the end of December, so there are hardly any other persons around besides the fishermen out on the water."
What you should know
Self-registration required: Most primitive campgrounds require campers to handle their own check-in. At Puskus Lake, "Self check in is handled at the permit box upon turning off the highway."
Bathroom conditions vary: Don't expect modern facilities at primitive sites. At Beach Point - Sardis Lake, "The bathrooms were…campsite bathrooms. Not the best, not the worst. No locked on stall doors. No soap. But the toilets flushed so there's that."
Insect protection essential: Biting insects can be overwhelming, particularly in summer months. A Beach Point camper warned, "The flies!! They were so so bad! And bighty!! My poor dogs were covered in flies, as were we."
Tips for camping with families
Choose walk-in sites for safety: Several campgrounds offer separation from vehicles. At Beach Point, "You have to park in the parking lot and carry your stuff to the site. But it's a tent-only campground and there were only a couple other tents there so it was quiet and peaceful."
Target weekdays for better experience: Weekends bring more visitors and potential disruptions. At Puskus Lake, "I camped here just one night in May 2021 on a Saturday, I got there at about 3pm and was the first there but by nightfall every site was full."
Scout ahead for best spots: Site maintenance varies considerably. At Graham Lake, "This is a very small campground with about 5 spots. Large rigs are a no go I would think, as access can be tight. If you're in a small to medium travel trailer or a tent, this could work out."
Tips from RVers
Limited suitable options: Few primitive sites accommodate larger RVs. At Kellys Crossing, "This is more of a boat ramp than a campground. There are a couple of picnic tables with a few areas to set up tents. The positive is that you won't be fighting a lot of other campers to be able to stay here."
Prepare for basic amenities: The best tent camping near Olive Branch, Mississippi offers few services. Hays Crossing includes "five tent sites. The websites states you can bring a small camper here, but I wouldn't try it. The bathrooms are run down and have a port a potty feel. The roads in are horrible."
Bring all essentials: Many campgrounds lack basic facilities. At Puskus Lake, "The water spout did not work on my visit." Another visitor notes, "Bathrooms are closed, and have been for some time. For $8 you could do worse."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Olive Branch, MS?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Olive Branch, MS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Olive Branch, MS is T.O. Fuller State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Olive Branch, MS?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Olive Branch, MS?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Olive Branch, MS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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