Best Campgrounds near Pontotoc, MS

Campgrounds near Pontotoc, Mississippi range from state parks to county-operated facilities, with most offering full hookup options for RVs alongside tent camping areas. Howard Stafford Park Campground, located directly in Pontotoc, provides lakeside camping with concrete pads and full hookups, while Trace State Park Campground and Davis Lake Recreation Area offer additional options within a 30-minute drive. Most established campgrounds in the region accommodate RVs, tents, and several feature cabin rentals, particularly at Trace State Park and Tombigbee State Park near Tupelo.

The camping season in this region typically runs year-round, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Many campgrounds maintain consistent accessibility regardless of season, though summer weekends often see higher occupancy rates. "Right in Pontotoc, MS. Small park right on the lake. Can get busy during the weekends. Full hookups and concrete pad," noted one visitor about Howard Stafford Park. Road conditions within some parks require attention, with several reviews mentioning potholes and maintenance needs at certain facilities. Most campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, with sewer connections available at select sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though data speeds may vary by location and provider.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the region, with Davis Lake Campground receiving particular praise for its lakeside sites. One camper highlighted that "almost all spots were right at the water edge. Literally." Fishing opportunities abound at most area lakes, with boat ramps available at several campgrounds. Bathhouse facilities vary considerably between locations, with some receiving excellent reviews for cleanliness while others face criticism for maintenance issues. The proximity to the Natchez Trace Parkway enhances the appeal of several campgrounds, providing easy access to this scenic byway. Wildlife viewing opportunities include various bird species, particularly at waterfront sites, where herons and other waterfowl are commonly spotted. Most campgrounds feature fire rings, picnic tables, and moderate spacing between sites, though privacy levels vary by location.

Best Camping Sites Near Pontotoc, Mississippi (62)

    1. Trace State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Pontotoc, MS
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 489-2958

    $32 / night

    "Roads are drivable of course but need to be funded, come on Mississippi and step up.. 15-20 minutes from a supercenter on West Main Street in Tupelo. Tupelo is lovely and where we actually live."

    "Trace State Park near Tupelo, MS. Once you get into Tupelo the signage directing you to the park is easy to find and follow."

    2. Howard Stafford Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Pontotoc, MS
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 266-0712

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Right in Pontotoc, MS. Small park right on the lake. Can get busy during the weekends. Full hookups and concrete pad."

    "The campground is next to a big county park with a playground, boat ramp and fishing docks. Nice walking paths along the lakes edge provides a great place for a view of the sunset."

    3. Davis Lake Campground

    12 Reviews
    New Houlka, MS
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 285-3264

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Many backed up to the water and none were a far walk from water access either bank or dock.

    Only 4 miles from the Natchez Trace."

    "In the middle off Mississippi just a few miles off Natchez Trace parkway is this lovely little campground on a lake. And super affordable."

    4. Moon Lake Farm - Kitchen, Fishing, Showers

    2 Reviews
    Belden, MS
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 205-0660

    $35 - $45 / night

    "Beautiful property with great host they have a short trail that goes around the property and a beautiful lake to enjoy"

    "The land and lake are beautiful."

    5. Tombigbee State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Tupelo, MS
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 842-7669

    $43 / night

    "Tombigbee SP

    Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and Tombigbee SP is a good spot to base your exploration out of.

    I overnighted here enroute to Alabama."

    "We have camped at several MS state parks near Memphis (Tishomingo, Wall Doxey) and have left feeling like MS didn’t have a lot to offer, but Tombigbee State Park is great."

    6. Natchez Trace RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Tupelo, MS
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 767-8609

    $33 / night

    "Stopped here for a night traveling through Mississippi. It is a little out of the way, but quiet. You drive down the Natches trace to get here."

    7. Serenity RV Park

    1 Review
    Belden, MS
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 269-0444

    $60 - $65 / night

    "Water and electric hookups are centrally located on the pad, though the electric connection sits low to the ground, requiring us to bend the surge protector to plug in."

    8. Campground at Barnes Crossing

    4 Reviews
    Saltillo, MS
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 844-6063

    $40 / night

    "Close to town but didn’t visit. Reasonable at $40. Some sites have Wi Fi I think. Short nice walk and area for dogs. Not far from freeway."

    "From inside the park it’s hard to believe you’re so close to the city. 2 mins from restaurants and shopping. Sites are pull through and on gravel. Relatively close to one another but not bothersome."

    9. Puskus Lake

    9 Reviews
    University, MS
    24 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Self check in is handled at the permit box upon turning off the highway. Be mindful of snakes and you’re usual pests."

    10. Whitten Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Fulton, MS
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 862-7070

    $34 - $36 / night

    "Our 3/3/21-3/6/21 stay at Site 60 provides easy access to a fishing pier, walking paths and enjoyable sunsets."

    "Whitten Park campground is located on a peaceful waterway far enough from the highway to feel secluded but not difficult to access. Each site is surrounded by trees."

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Recent Reviews near Pontotoc, MS

256 Reviews of 62 Pontotoc Campgrounds


  • elisha P.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    R & R Vineyard

    Wonderful host

    Small quaint winery and art house , wonderful host so sweet, pleasant conversation did wine tasting, was quite enjoyable, quiet camping Spot off the beat and path, nice hook up for water and electric, so private and quiet , great property for walking dogs, price was very reasonable and the wine was nice, bought a bottle😊

  • J
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

    A great place to do nothing.

    The shaded footpaths make walking the trails on a hot day still enjoyable. Quiet, low humidity, and plenty of camp sites to choose from make this location a great place to unplug and relax.

  • Ed D.
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Turtle Lodge RV Park

    Nice friendly place

    Good spot to stop on a trip or visiting the area.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2025

    Mississippi Art & wine gallery

    R&R Vineyard

    Rich and Ruth are excellent hosts. Rich makes the wine while Ruth is your main host. Quiet little spot with power and water hookups available. As an added bonus on the 2nd and 4h Saturday of every month Ruth makes a home cooked meal for her guests and they bring in local live entertainment.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Trace State Park Campground

    Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL state park.

    We’re so happy that we drove 20 minutes off the interstate to get here! Such a wonderful place!

  • Will G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 23, 2025

    Trace State Park Campground

    Good campground, great lake access

    Pros: Clean, relatively quiet even when full, lots of sites with direct, clean access to lakefront.

    Cons: not much level space between camper pads, access roads need replacing, sketchy cell service

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 21, 2025

    Serenity RV Park

    Newer RV Park

    We heard about this new RV park through a blog email and decided to check it out. Following our GPS from I-22, we had no trouble finding the campground (CG).  We arrived at 3:00 PM to find the office closed, with a sign on the door indicating they would return at 3:30. Although we had prepaid for our reservation, we had not been assigned a site number. We called the contact number and left a message. A few minutes later, we received a call back with our site number and were informed that we could proceed to site 26 and check in once the staff member returned from lunch. Site 26 with FHUs is 1 of 6 pull through cement sites in the CG. The 4 back-in sites are cement pads. The pad was spacious, providing ample room for our 40’ fifth wheel and F-450 truck. There are two sewer connections on both cement and gravel sites, which is a nice convenience. Water and electric hookups are centrally located on the pad, though the electric connection sits low to the ground, requiring us to bend the surge protector to plug in. The water pressure was adequate at around 40 psi. The CG Wi-Fi worked well for basic tasks such as email and web browsing, including Facebook, though we did not attempt to stream. Facilities include a clean shower and restroom area, as well as a laundry room equipped with four washers and four dryers, each costing$3 per use. During our visit, the small dog run was unavailable due to maintenance or AstroTurf installation. A small playground is located adjacent to it. Most of the sites are pull-through, with a few back-in sites near the cabins. There is highway and train noise, but not too bad. The office carries a selection of snacks, drinks, and some RV essentials. Overall, the CG is a few miles west of Tupelo, with limited attractions nearby. While it offers good amenities and a convenient layout, the remote location may not appeal to those looking for nearby entertainment or dining options. This CG worked well for our overnighter.

  • C
    Mar. 21, 2025

    Wall Doxey State Park Campground

    Nice stay

    Camped 4days/3nights. Really nice wooded sites. Water and Electric on site. Wifi-Tmobile worked fine whole trip. Not a lot of campers while I was here. Quiet and Peaceful. I did not use bathroom facilities. No one available at check-in however I had reserved and paid ahead. Staff drove around regularly. Felt safe here as a solo female tent camper with a dog. Would visit again


Guide to Pontotoc

Camping near Pontotoc, Mississippi, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the numerous trails available at Tishomingo State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The park has several trails to hike on. We did the one starting on the swinging bridge."
  • Fishing and Kayaking: At Wallace Creek, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. A reviewer noted, "This is a very popular camping area with very good fishing."
  • Disc Golf: If you're into disc golf, Trace State Park Campground has a course available. One camper shared, "Plenty of hiking trails, disc golf, fishing, and kayaking available."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Piney Grove Campground said, "Very nice lake side campgrounds. Quite clean beautiful relaxing weekend trip."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Whitten Park Campground stated, "Bath and showers were clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the campground staff. One reviewer at Wall Doxey State Park Campground said, "The 2 rangers working at Wall Doxey went out of their way to set me up with a parking place."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited amenities. A camper at Chewalla Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "No shower or bathroom facilities."
  • Seasonal Access: Certain campgrounds, like Piney Grove Campground, are only open from March 1 to November 15. Make sure to check the season before planning your trip.
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly, so it's wise to make reservations. A visitor at Tombigbee State Park Campground noted, "The staff at check-in were very friendly and answered all the questions we had."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A reviewer at Whitten Park Campground mentioned, "Fishing off the fishing docks was great!"
  • Spacious Sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. One camper at Wallace Creek said, "Large sites with elbow room."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring everything you need, as some campgrounds are far from stores. A visitor at Piney Grove Campground reminded, "Remember to bring everything you need; it’s 10 miles or more to a town."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure the site can accommodate your RV. A reviewer at Trace State Park Campground noted, "The campground was well maintained with level parking pads."
  • Connectivity: Be aware of cell service availability. One camper at Tombigbee State Park Campground mentioned, "Poor cell service with AT&T."
  • Dump Stations: Look for campgrounds with dump stations for convenience. A visitor at Wall Doxey State Park Campground appreciated the availability of a dump station near check-in.

Camping near Pontotoc, Mississippi, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pontotoc, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pontotoc, MS offers a wide range of camping options, with 62 campgrounds and RV parks near Pontotoc, MS and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pontotoc, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pontotoc, MS is Trace State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pontotoc, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Pontotoc, MS.

What parks are near Pontotoc, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Pontotoc, MS that allow camping, notably Enid Lake and Sam Rayburn Reservoir.