Camping near Quitman, Mississippi offers varied terrain from pine forests to lakeside settings within the Chickasawhay District. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-300 feet above sea level, creating moderate drainage during the region's frequent summer thunderstorms. Fall camping season typically begins in late September when temperatures drop to 60-85°F during the day and humidity decreases substantially.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Twiltley Branch, campers have direct lake access for anglers. "We had site 39 that backed right up to the lake. Campground was very clean and easy to get around," notes one visitor. The site offers both bank fishing and boat access to Okatibbee Lake.
Water recreation: The Meridian East-Toomsuba KOA features "the longest water slide in Mississippi" according to a camper. "The slide is only open Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-6pm. Pool is open daily from 10am-8pm," providing scheduled water activities approximately 25 minutes from Quitman.
Historical exploration: Dunns Falls Water Park offers historical structures alongside its natural features. A visitor explains, "The historical structures are neat, as is the waterfall. The whole park can be explored in less than an hour, so I can't imagine staying multiple nights." The park has a water wheel feature, though one camper notes "the water wheel does not work FYI."
What campers like
Clean bathhouses: At Clarkco State Park, campers consistently mention exceptional facilities. "I camped and kayak fished. The park had the cleanest bath houses I've ever used and a splash pad for the kids to play in," writes one five-star reviewer. These facilities remain open year-round except during renovation periods.
Quiet setting: Many visitors to Archusa Creek Waterpark appreciate the peaceful environment. "Been camping there most of my life. Peaceful and staff is great," notes a longtime visitor. The waterpark features boat-in access points and cabins set away from busier areas.
Level sites: Bonita Lakes RV Park receives praise for its concrete pads. "Each site is on a level cement pad with full hookups. Only $32 with Good Sam discount," mentions one camper. Another adds, "No shade in this side of the park, but no worries. We needed a place to stay for the night and they had an opening with full hook ups."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some parks close for renovations or during off-season months. One camper at Clarkco State Park reported, "They are about to close the park for the season to renovate. All the pads are about to be concrete and I think they are fixing some of the space issues." Always check current operating status before planning a visit.
Wildlife awareness: Bugs and wildlife are active in these campgrounds. At Clarkco, a visitor warned, "Very friendly staff. Beautiful camp site in deep forest with a gorgeous lake next to it. One heads up; it gets very loud at night in terms of the bugs! They're quite active there. Bring mosquito spray for sure."
Long-term residents: Some campgrounds have permanent or semi-permanent residents. A visitor to Archusa Creek Waterpark observed, "Some of the campsites looked like long term sites with a lot of junk around them. This would be a great place to pull an inter tube with a boat. Looked a little sad. It was quiet though."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Sleepy Hollow RV Park offers multiple family-friendly amenities. "We were able to bring all of our pups to the enclosed dog play area that had a great big shade tree to run and run and run. They had a nice little pool. Nothing fancy, but just what the kids needed," shares one parent who stayed during an evacuation.
Splash features: Clarkco State Park includes water features specifically for children. One family noted, "Our family of 5 (young kids) stayed for the weekend. A four day weekend would have been perfect. Activities included swimming, splash pad, hiking, disk golf, fishing, kayak rentals, and playgrounds."
Recreation variety: Campgrounds near Quitman typically offer multiple activity options. A Clarkco visitor reported, "Great campsites and cabins. Husband enjoys the fishing," highlighting how different family members can enjoy various activities at the same location.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choosing the right spot matters at Twiltley Branch. One RVer advised, "During our first stay during the Thanksgiving break, we camped at site 29 after seeing video reviews of this particular site, and we really enjoyed having views of the lake from three sides. The site was very spacious and level."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service varies by location and carrier. At Clarkco State Park, one RVer reported, "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, on the lake, with a roof mounted dish."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight roads for larger rigs. At Sleepy Hollow RV Park, an RVer cautioned, "Overall I like the campground it is nice and mostly quiet the hiway does produce a bit of road noise but we could not hear it in the camper with the windows closed. Lots of turns so go slow and know your rig."
