Tent camping options near Southaven, Mississippi provide access to several lakes and reservoirs within Lafayette County and surrounding areas. Campsites around Sardis Lake and Arkabutla Lake offer water-based recreation opportunities at elevations averaging 300 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer temperatures can exceed 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Fishing access year-round: Kellys Crossing Campground serves primarily as a boat ramp with camping areas adjacent to Arkabutla Lake. "This is an off the beaten path area for standard recreation. It's technically a boat ramp that accesses Arkabutla Lake with picnic and camping areas nearby," notes Heath T.
Winter solitude exploration: The colder months offer surprisingly peaceful camping at many sites near Southaven. At Kellys Crossing Campground, "I am visiting at the end of December, so there are hardly any other persons around besides the fishermen out on the water," reports Heath T.
Lake canoeing: Maple Flat Group Campground provides excellent water access for paddlers. "The lake has a lot of inlets to explore by canoe. It's a small campground that fills up since it's so close to Memphis," explains Kim B.
What campers like
Off-season affordability: Winter camping offers both solitude and cost savings at tent sites near Southaven. At Beach Point - Sardis Lake, McKinley L. shares, "There are restrooms at the entrance, all sites have a table, trash can and grill. We went in the off season so it was free!"
Wooded campsites: The natural setting at many campgrounds provides shade and ambiance. Maple Flat offers "Shady, wooded, pretty large individual sites...simple but a fine place," according to Kim B.
Firewood availability: Many tent sites near Southaven have adequate natural materials for campfires. Elizabeth S. notes about Beach Point, "There was plenty of firewood to be collected on site."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Many tent campgrounds have basic facilities. At Beach Point, Elizabeth S. reports, "The bathrooms were…campsite bathrooms. Not the best, not the worst. No locked on stall doors. No soap. But the toilets flushed so there's that."
Challenging access roads: Several campgrounds require navigation on poorly maintained roads. At Hays Crossing, Steve G. warns, "The roads in are horrible. There are people riding off road vehicles in the lake bottoms quite often."
Site configurations: Some campgrounds require parking separately from tent areas. Caitlyn E. explains about Beach Point, "Cars stay in the parking lot, and you walk up to your site. Pretty basic. Running water, flushable toilets, no showers. Quiet area."
Tips for camping with families
Scout-style group camping: For larger family gatherings, consider historical group sites. Maple Flat Group Campground is described by Shana D. as "an old, boy scout style group camp. A couple of picnic tables are grouped together at the front of the camp and then there are several remnants of old tent pads throughout the area."
Insect preparation essential: Summer camping requires adequate insect protection, especially for children and pets. Elizabeth S. cautions about Beach Point, "The flies!! They were so so bad! And bighty!! My poor dogs were covered in flies, as were we."
Fishing-focused visits: Plan family activities around fishing opportunities at sites like Cox Lake. B C. recommends it as a "Great little fishing lake" within Holly Springs National Forest.
Tips from RVers
Small trailer limitations: Many tent campgrounds near Southaven can accommodate small trailers but have significant size restrictions. At Graham Lake, Steve G. advises, "Large rigs are a no go I would think, as access can be tight. If you're in a small to medium travel trailer or a tent, this could work out."
No hookup preparation: Most tent-focused campgrounds lack RV amenities. Steve G. notes about Graham Lake, "No hookups. Nothing. But, it is a free campground so what can you say. It's rather nice there. This is a very small campground with about 5 spots."
Alternative campground recommendation: RVers seeking more amenities should consider alternatives to tent-focused sites. Shana D. observes about Kellys Crossing, "This is more of a boat ramp than a campground. There are a couple of picnic tables with an few areas to set up tents."
