Camping opportunities near Olive Branch, Mississippi provide access to a diverse mix of recreation areas throughout north Mississippi and the Memphis metro area. The region sits at approximately 387 feet above sea level with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Fall camping is particularly popular when temperatures moderate to 65-75°F during the day and humidity levels decrease significantly.
What to do
Fishing at local lakes: Hernando Point offers access to Lake Arkabutla for anglers. "Sites are paved and full hookups at site. Nice view!" notes Anna D. about the waterfront setting ideal for fishing enthusiasts.
Hiking forest trails: Wall Doxey State Park Campground features multiple trails through pine forests. "Wonderful halloween park. My wife and I have only camped here once. It won't be the last time, but we were invited to the halloween get to gether at the park. And we had no idea it was such a big deal," shares Fred S. about the special seasonal activities.
Disc golf courses: Several parks in the region feature disc golf courses popular with local outdoor enthusiasts. "Wall Doxey is a well maintained campground. The sites are far enough apart to not feel on top of your neighbor. The highlight for us is the disc golf course the winds through the pine forest," reports Brandon R.
Wildlife watching: The natural areas surrounding Olive Branch provide habitat for deer and various bird species. "We saw a momma dear and her baby cross the road. Lots of trees and leaves everywhere. It's fall," notes Orita I. about her camping experience at Wall Doxey.
What campers like
Lakefront sites: Dub Patton Campground provides waterfront camping options on Lake Arkabutla. "Site 9 and site 10 are by far the most beautiful sites in the camp in my opinion. They are right on the lake and relatively separate from the other sites," says Wild Sage F.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and shower areas. "Very clean restrooms and shower areas. Site had grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Water and electric hookup," reports Suzi T. about her experience at Hernando Point.
Affordable rates: State parks and recreation areas offer economical camping options compared to private resorts. "We only stayed one night, and moved on. We were just passing through. Lots of sites are waterfront. There were lots of trails available, but we didn't have time to explore. Each site has electric and water, but still only $20," notes CJ W. about Hernando Point.
Peaceful environment: Puskus Lake provides a quieter alternative to busier campgrounds. "Campsite was great. Beautiful lake and not crowded. Night time was quiet. Really enjoyed the views and relaxing environment," shares Hunter H. about the more secluded glamping experience near Olive Branch.
What you should know
Campground maintenance varies: Some public campgrounds may have maintenance issues. "The bathrooms were clean and stocked. We were only able to spend a little time at the lake as we were in the area for a family gathering, in New Albany, so spent the bulk of our weekend away from the park," explains Stacy D. about Wall Doxey State Park.
Site layouts and privacy: Campsite arrangements differ significantly between locations. "This is a huge campground and the price for a spot was at least double what we would pay elsewhere (nearly $100). We weren't able to get a campground at Tom Sawyer and the reviews were all over the place for the rest of the Memphis campgrounds that we decided to go ahead and splurge on this one," notes Angela C. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Memphis.
Highway noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to major roads. "Pictures don't show the busy highway RIGHT NEXT to the campsites. Very loud traffic noise all day and night. Surrounded by city. Sites are pull through and narrow, no privacy, small patch of grass, full sun," warns Stacy W. about Jellystone Park.
Seasonal considerations: Facilities and amenities may change throughout the year. "While we were there, I saw almost no children and several of the camper sites looked like the guests were staying long-term. For a campground that is marketed towards families, the demographics were a bit strange," observes Angela C. about off-season stays at Jellystone.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: EZ Daze RV Park offers basic play areas for children. "Overall good stay at EZ Daze. Bathroom and laundry facilities are amazing. Playground is scary. Very friendly and hospitable staff. Small spots close together," reports Claire M.
Swimming options: Some campgrounds provide swimming facilities during summer months. "The park sits off of Lake Arkabutla and has 80+ water/electric sites. The lake was low, low, low. As there were only about 5 other campers there, we had our choice of sites!" shares Bran P. about Hernando Point.
Bug protection: Prepare for ticks and mosquitoes, especially in wooded areas. "Wall Doxey is a well maintained campground. The sites are far enough apart to not feel on top of your neighbor. The playground could use an update, but it does the job keeping the kids entertained. The highlight for us is the disc golf course the winds through the pine forest. That also leads me to the one negative...the pine trees... If you are camping here anytime during the warmer months, be ready to pick ticks off of everyone!" warns Brandon R.
Organized activities: Memphis KOA offers structured family programming. "From the moment we arrived, we had an amazing experience. The staff greeted us and our pups with smiles, cozies, and treats for the dogs. The site is well taken care of. The laundry and camper kitchen were great amenities. The pool was clean and a great way to cool off," says Zack L.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Some sites require extra equipment to reach utilities. "Level, nice concrete pads. Good hookups. Workers all very pleasant. Didnt get to use the pool or other amenities but they looked nice. Quiet location close to gas station and stores. Excellent WiFi and verizon reception," notes Deb K. about EZ Daze RV Park.
Site sizes: RV sites vary significantly in size and accessibility. "Such a gem of a campground - 15 minutes off I-40 East but felt like a safe option a little ways out of the busy downtown Memphis area. From the moment I pulled in I could tell I had made a great choice - super clean showers, bathroom and laundry. The grounds are impeccable and sites and roads are all paved. Site 21 is nice and private at end of a row and is pull thru," reports LuAnn R.
Pull-through availability: Many campgrounds offer easier access sites for larger rigs. "Right off the hiway. The most Level site in our 6k mile trip. Nice park w clean facilities. Easy access to the sites. Nice park! Friendly staff," says Kathy F. about Memphis KOA.
