Camping options near Okolona, Mississippi include both developed campgrounds and waterfront sites. The area's elevation ranges between 300-400 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate receiving around 54 inches of rainfall annually. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making Okolona's camping locations accessible year-round with seasonal variations in crowd levels.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Near Davis Lake Campground, anglers regularly catch bream directly from shoreline sites. "Many people boating and fishing. The walking path is about a quarter mile down to a spot where people fish," notes Bruce F., who visited in March 2021.
**Wildlife viewing: The waterways support diverse bird populations that attract photographers and nature enthusiasts. "Great wildlife! Came here for bird watching. Will return to bike the Tanglefoot Trail," writes Lynn G. about the natural attractions at Davis Lake.
**Hiking options: Trails of varying difficulty levels connect campgrounds to scenic overlooks and water access points. At Tombigbee State Park, "We hiked all the trails and they were well manicured and followed a frisbee golf course," reports Allison N., highlighting the park's multi-use trail system.
**Water recreation: Swimming areas and boat launches provide water access at several locations. "There is a swimming beach, a pier, and plenty of place to tie up a boat," explains Nate S. about the facilities at Davis Lake, making it suitable for multiple water activities.
What campers like
**Lakefront proximity: Many sites position campers directly at the water's edge for fishing and views. At Blue Bluff Campground, "We stayed one night (4/25/21) at site 78. Our site was on the water and we were able to catch quite a few bream directly in front of us," shares Allie T.
**Quiet setting: The remoteness of certain campgrounds creates peaceful environments away from traffic noise. According to Katie D., Blue Bluff provides "Amazing scenery. This place is absolutely beautiful. The birds migrating and stopping along the river make for such a relaxing and peaceful place to stop and relax."
**Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower buildings receive consistent positive mentions. Regarding Whitten Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Bath and showers were clean. Concrete pad with adjacent gravel area for screen room, tent, etc."
**Value pricing: Several campgrounds offer full amenities at reasonable rates compared to other regions. As Wendy T. observed at Davis Lake, "Level, fire pits, charcoal grills, picnic tables, water and electric all for 20.00 a night and we didn't qualify for any discount."
What you should know
**Reservation requirements: Weekend availability becomes limited during spring and summer, requiring advance planning. At Whitten Park, one camper reported, "We came on a Wednesday and were pretty much by ourselves. Both Thursday and Friday campers started coming in around 11:30 AM filling up the CG."
**Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can affect site quality and water access. "The lake along this stretch of the Tombigbee Waterway is very shallow and even kayaks can run aground in the mud," warns Cyndi H. about Blue Bluff conditions in March.
**Site variations: Campground layouts vary significantly in terms of shade, privacy and levelness. According to a visitor at Trace State Park, "not much level space between camper pads, access roads need replacing, sketchy cell service."
**Seasonal closures: Some facilities reduce services during off-peak seasons. "No showers due to covid," reported a camper at Davis Lake, while another noted at Whitten Park that "Laundry facilities were closed during our stay."
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Several campgrounds feature updated play equipment for children. At Tombigbee State Park, Ryan S. noted, "Multiple updated playgrounds. Very affordable. $24 a night for a full hook up site."
**Water safety: Swimming areas may require additional caution depending on conditions. One local visitor to Davis Lake cautioned, "The swimming area steps are quite slippery as well and muscle shells are ever present so i would recommend aquatic footwear if you plan on using this area."
**Kid-friendly layouts: Compact campground designs allow parents to monitor children easily. Tombigbee State Park gets high marks because it's "Great for young kids because the campground is small with a flat loop that is easy for bike riding, skating, or scooters. It is easy to see the kids from your campsite and not worry about them getting lost."
**Recreational amenities: Sports facilities provide additional activities beyond typical camping pursuits. As Deb M. described Tombigbee, it offers "Frisbee golf. Ball field. Large lake. Very quiet."
Tips from RVers
**Site length considerations: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. At Howard Stafford Park, visitors warn "the rv pads are very short.an uneven," making site selection important for larger vehicles.
**Utility hookups: Electrical service varies between campgrounds with some offering both 30 and 50 amp connections. "There is 30 and 50 amp electric and good water pressure," notes a Davis Lake camper, while warning, "The sites away from the water looked to be uneven and on a slope so beware if you take an rv."
**Access roads: Road conditions affect the ease of arrival for larger vehicles. "Our RV GPS and Waze brought us south from Tishomingo via MS-25 to MS-4 to John Rankin Hwy. It's a more scenic and narrower road than just taking MS-25 south, but there were no issues," reports a Whitten Park visitor.
**Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. One camper noted that Howard Stafford Park offers "Full hookups and concrete pad," eliminating the need for dump station visits during their stay.
