Sardis Lake offers multiple camping options across 98,000 acres of water surface in northern Mississippi. Water levels fluctuate seasonally with higher levels in spring and lower levels in late summer, affecting shoreline access and boat ramps. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter nights can drop below freezing, requiring appropriate camping preparations.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Wallace Creek campground provides access to Enid Lake, recognized as "one of America's Top 10 Fishing Spots." A visitor noted, "The lake is very popular for fishing and there is a boat launch/fish cleaning station."
Hiking trails: Persimmon Hill Campground features a lit nature trail for evening exploration. As one camper mentioned, "Behind the playground is a nice nature trail that is lit at night for an evening stroll."
Wildlife viewing: Persimmon Hill Campground offers exceptional wildlife spotting opportunities. A reviewer remarked, "Lots of wildlife to observe. I've never seen more deer, especially close up, in my life!"
Educational visits: The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery near Enid Dam provides learning experiences. A visitor recommended, "The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery is a fun place to visit and tour for very small fee."
What Campers Like
Lake views: Wallace Creek provides exceptional vistas. A reviewer advised, "Site 28 which is a pull-thru on a paved pad and is waterfront with beautiful panoramic views of Enid Lake."
Site spacing: Persimmon Hill Campground offers well-designed layouts. A camper noted, "Level, clean and top rated bathroom facilities. The view is great from every camp spot."
Clean facilities: Hernando Point maintains high cleanliness standards. One visitor praised, "Very clean restrooms and shower areas. Site had grill, fire ring, and picnic table."
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round. A December visitor reported, "Very nice campground. With family gatherings discouraged due to covid we decided to camp. Bathroom is directly in front with toilets and showers. Very clean and warm (low Christmas eve and Christmas 23)."
What You Should Know
Budget considerations: Corps of Engineers parks offer affordable rates. A camper reported at Hernando Point, "Very reasonably priced included water and electric."
Seasonal flooding: Some areas experience significant water issues. At Sleepy Bend, a visitor warned, "It's a pleasant spot not many people, but we were there on a day. It was rainy, and the whole place flooded... it's a decent place when it's dry but I would not want to be there when it rains."
Varying bathroom conditions: Facilities differ between campgrounds. A Pats Bluff visitor cautioned, "I am giving this one 3 stars because the bathroom was absolutely disgusting!! There appears to be a permanent resident in the campground that I assume is the camp host."
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites require caution. About Hays Crossing, a camper noted, "The roads in are horrible. There are people riding off road vehicles in the lake bottoms quite often."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Clear Creek provides natural play spaces. A visitor mentioned the campground is "nestled in the woods and neighbors aren't too close."
Beach activities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. A Persimmon Hill visitor described, "Persimmon Hill Recreation Area is a well maintained picnic/day use area with a sandy beach. Life jackets are provided at the beach if needed."
Safety considerations: Some sites offer enhanced security features. A camper appreciated, "This campground is huge! They offer full hookups and lots of sites with water views! There are several different 'loops' within the campground."
Pet-friendly camping near Sardis, Mississippi: Beach Point welcomes dogs but requires preparation. A visitor advised, "The flies!! They were so so bad! And bighty!! My poor dogs were covered in flies, as were we."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Careful consideration of site numbers is important. About Wallace Creek, a visitor warned, "Site 55 should not exist. It was wedged in between two others."
Hookup options: Pats Bluff offers enhanced services. A camper noted, "Recently added sewer to upper sites to go along with current 50amp and water hookups."
Dump station access: Infrastructure maintenance affects services. A visitor to Pats Bluff observed, "The only real drawback is the fact that they have pretty much made the dump station unusable by dumping tons of rock there."
Level sites: Despite appearances, some parks provide surprisingly even surfaces. At Rebel RV Park, a camper found, "Sites do not look to be level but are surprisingly, really-really level."
