41 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Starkville, Mississippi and its surrounding areas provide a range of camping experiences within the northeastern Mississippi landscape. Starkville KOA offers year-round accommodations with full hookups for RVs, tent sites, and cabin options about 15 minutes from Mississippi State University. Indian Mound Campground provides a more low-key atmosphere with basic amenities, while the John W. Starr Memorial RV Park on the university campus caters primarily to visitors attending campus events. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can access several Corps of Engineers campgrounds along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, including Dewayne Hayes and Town Creek, which feature waterfront sites popular with anglers and boaters.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with most campgrounds operating year-round but experiencing peak visitation during football weekends and university events. Summer humidity and occasional severe storms necessitate weather awareness, particularly from March through October. Cell service varies significantly, with stronger coverage near Starkville proper and diminishing signal in outlying areas. As one camper noted about Indian Mound Campground, "It's a pretty low-key campground with more permanent homes. The spots are close together and not a lot of privacy, but we were just passing through for the night so it was fine for us!" Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during Mississippi State University home games when availability becomes extremely limited.
Lakefront camping represents a significant draw in the region, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. The Tombigbee Waterway provides opportunities for fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing, with campers frequently reporting sightings of herons, eagles, and various waterfowl. Facilities at most established campgrounds include electric hookups, water connections, and dump stations, though amenities vary in quality and maintenance. A visitor to Starkville KOA mentioned, "The customer service was absolutely outstanding! Unfortunately the lake has mostly dried up and no longer hits the shoreline of the campground. All stores, Walmart, restaurants etc. are about a 12 minute drive away if needed." Tent campers should note that some sites have limited shade and rocky tent pads, particularly at Choctaw Lake where one reviewer cautioned about "jagged rocks" on tent platforms.
"Unfortunately the lake has mostly dried up and no longer hits the shoreline of the campground (apparently been this way for 6 years)."
"They gave us a break on the 2nd night stay due to our situation. Changing this to a 5!!"
"While visiting a beloved retired faculty member of Mississippi State, we were grateful to find this campground with The Dyrt for one night."
"This campground is tucked away off a side road from highway! It’s a pretty low key campground with more permanent homes."
"The walking path is about 3 miles round trip from the the day-use boat ramp and playground to the campground end. Camp hosts are friendly and campsites are well maintained."
"Showed us a nice spot next to the bath house. There is water and electricity no dump. So that's nice to have."
from $26 - $36 / night
Check Availability"The sign claims you can pay in the park, the dump is outside the park, at the entrance or exit. Afterwards we continued to “in the park” to pay with our 53’ rig with car in tow."
"**Nice cozy campground on the lake. The campsites are almost all right next to the water, but there isn’t too much tree cover despite very large campsites."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Another free camping site conveniently located on the Natchez Trace near the Historic French Village."
"There are a few other similar primitive campsites in the park nearby. Nice and wooded.** **Yay: simple camping! Very pretty wooded area."
"If you enjoy hiking make sure to grab a map and walk around Kennedy Lake (more like a pond) and the primitive sites."
from $26 - $34 / night
Check Availability
ScoutI really don't have much to say because I am a newbie. This was our first KOA site. I will say it suited us very well. It was shaded, our site was level, pet friendly, they were expecting us, and free firewood was provided. Also, we got in a little chat with some interesting local info built in.
GuideStaff was helpful and steered in the right direction. Very nice spot next to the bath house. There is water and electricity but no dump. So that was good to have.
GuideThe host was very helpful. Showed us a nice spot next to the bath house. There is water and electricity no dump. So that's nice to have.
GuideTown creek location in West Point Ms not far from the Columbus air Force base is a large COE park clean bathroom level sites
TravelerWhile visiting a beloved retired faculty member of Mississippi State, we were grateful to find this campground with The Dyrt for one night. A tremendous value due to the sparkling clean condition, kindness of staff, and abundant amenities for an active retired couple. We parked #9 (level drive-thru) closest to the entrance and adjacent Highway 82. The Highway was not too distracting after 10 PM. Had a very restful night and up early the next day ready to enjoy the next leg of our sojourn throughout the south. The video is of the super Bulldog fan restroom.
GuideAbout 4 miles off the trace clean restroom however the the shower that sucks it's a push button with no settings on for 20 second then off no way to adjust temp for water site are for the most part level
ScoutGood size lots. Was there after government shutdown. Only 3 other campers but others started coming in. Good water pressure, had sewer, and electric hook ups were good. Bath houses were dated but were clean. On Tenn-Tom water way. Get to see barges and other water craft. 2-3 miles from Dollar General and fuel stations
GuideYou wouldn’t be able to fish here without a boat. Decent playground.
ScoutRuth’s arts are indeed fine, and the wine is even finer. We had an amazing time. Not exactly what you’d expect and not exactly an RV park, though there are electric and water hook ups but no sewer. The wine was your traditional southernly made wines with bit more complexity than I expected. We arrived late and she still offered a tasting and it even ran longer than I had expected which was nice. I highly recommend this place. We even bought a whole bunch of grapes so we could bring em’ home and make jelly. It was lovely. They were lovely. The arts and wine were of course, lovely.
Camping spots near Starkville, Mississippi range from lakeside Corps of Engineers sites to primitive options along the Natchez Trace Parkway. The region sits in northeastern Mississippi's hilly terrain where the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway creates numerous water recreation opportunities. Fall temperatures from September through November typically range from 55-75°F, making it the most comfortable camping season with reduced humidity and fewer insects.
Hiking trails: Town Creek Campground features a path around Kennedy Lake with views of the waterway. "If you enjoy hiking make sure to grab a map and walk around Kennedy Lake (more like a pond) and the primitive sites," notes a visitor to Town Creek Campground.
Fishing: Many campgrounds offer direct water access for anglers. At Dewayne Hayes Campground, campers appreciate the convenience: "We launch and paddle from our site," reports one reviewer, who added that "campsites are well maintained" with a "walking path about 3 miles round trip from the day-use boat ramp and playground to the campground end."
Water recreation: Choctaw Lake provides swimming opportunities with a small beach area. A camper mentioned, "The lake was very pretty and had a wonderful trail around it," while another noted the "Beautiful small lake" makes for a peaceful setting.
Waterway views: At Dewayne Hayes Campground, visitors enjoy watching river traffic. "We enjoyed campsite 89... cool to watch the working barges going by," one camper noted, while another mentioned the campground is "busy campground but enough space so it doesn't feel like your neighbors are right on top of you. Plenty of shade and many spots have a direct view of the Tenn-Tom Waterway."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value the peaceful settings at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Jeff Busby Campground described it as "Beautiful and quiet," while another noted it was "a great spot to stop and relax... we stayed 3 nights and was very peaceful."
Wildlife viewing: Camping in this region offers opportunities to spot local wildlife. One camper at Dewayne Hayes noted seeing "lots of armadillos," while others report seeing various birds along the waterways.
Tent pad conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging tent sites. At Choctaw Lake, a camper warned: "Tents cannot be set up on grass; only on their 'tent pads' (jagged rocks). I asked the camp host if any sites had actual tent pads instead of rocks and was told no."
Cell service variations: Reception quality varies significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Dewayne Hayes noted "Verizon signal not great, but good," while another camper at Choctaw Lake mentioned having "Verizon cell reception for those going completely out of touch."
Seasonal crowding: Many campgrounds fill quickly during certain times. A reviewer at Starkville KOA reported their experience as a "Very nice unplanned arrival" where they were "in and out no problems," suggesting visitors should check availability in advance.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer facilities specifically for children. A visitor to Dewayne Hayes mentioned, "We went in April with our scouting troop. Very busy even then. Lots of small hiking trails. Nothing too fancy. Dollar general 10 minutes down the road if you need anything. Several primitive sites. Our troop made friends with some other kids nearby as well. Great for families or alone."
Swimming options: Choctaw Lake provides water recreation suitable for families. A camper described it as having a "beautiful lake with a small beach" and "access to mountain bike trails," making it versatile for family activities.
Holiday events: Some campgrounds host seasonal activities. A visitor to Dewayne Hayes noted, "Many sites decorated for Halloween. Even little trick or treaters," indicating organized family-friendly events during holidays.
Site spacing: RV campers should consider how close sites are to one another. At The Oaks RV Park, a visitor noted it's a "great little campground" where it's "always quiet and owners are very accommodating."
Water level fluctuations: Be aware that some advertised lakefront campgrounds may have water access issues. A visitor to Starkville KOA observed, "It's a basic KOA with clean showers, laundry, and full hookups. The lake that was an attraction including water slides and fishing docks is dry and has been for a couple of years."
Parking configurations: Some campgrounds have unique layouts that can be confusing. At Jeff Busby, a camper noted, "The parking is pull through but not clearly defined. Grills and tables were randomly placed," suggesting RVers should arrive during daylight hours for easier setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Starkville, MS?
Starkville offers several camping options in the surrounding area. Indian Mound Campground is tucked away off a side road from the highway, providing a low-key camping experience close to town. For those who enjoy unique experiences, Mississippi Art & Wine Gallery offers camping spots for visitors interested in the finer things. Other nearby options include The Oaks RV Park and Belaire RV Park, both offering drive-in access with water hookups. While not directly in Starkville, several beautiful campgrounds are within a short drive, including options along the Natchez Trace Parkway and at nearby lakes.
Is there camping available near Mississippi State University?
Yes, there are camping options close to Mississippi State University. Reflect, Renew, Resolve is a gorgeous farm offering a marvelous camping experience where you can park right next to your tent spot. The hosts are known to provide visitors with farm-grown provisions. For those looking for more traditional camping, Mississippi State University itself offers a camping area with water hookups and toilet facilities. These locations provide convenient access to campus while enjoying the outdoor experience.
Are there RV parks near Starkville, MS?
Natchez Trace RV Park is located near Starkville, accessible via the Natchez Trace Parkway. It offers spacious sites where neighbors aren't too close, providing a quiet atmosphere for RV travelers. Just a short drive from Starkville, Davis Lake Campground accommodates RVs with 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups and good water pressure. Many sites are lakeside, offering spectacular views. Additional RV options include The Oaks RV Park and Belaire RV Park, both offering big-rig-friendly sites with necessary hookups for comfortable stays while visiting Starkville.
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