Best Glamping near University, MS

This is a little state park on the edge of the Holly Springs National Forest.

Yay: lovely easy hiking, lots of water activities, wooded campsites, simple and pretty. Nice basecamp also to explore the forest and nearby wildlife refuge.

Nay: not the fanciest campground, extremely basic but that’s not a problem for me. Close to a university, so one time we had a problem with rowdy college students, but the park rangers took care of it quickly and effectively! None of the campsites are right on the water, but some are a short walk.

Surprise: perfect stop on a road trip, close to Graceland!

Mississippi needs to put some funding behind the park, could be a real gem. Overall we had a great stay and I would recommend the campground.

My stay won't likely be like yours. First, I drove in while Mississippi was under a blanket of snow. All the roads in Holly Springs and the rest of the state were treacherous with packed snow and ice following a week of unseasonably frigid weather across the southern midwest.

That said, the 2 rangers working at Wall Doxey went out of their way to set me up with a parking place in the practically empty campground, putting me in the youth camp, finding me an extension cord to hook up to power and allowing me access to the group camp for a bathroom and shower.

This was necessary because many areas were either in the middle of renovation, inaccessible or out of service due to frozen pipes. To say these ladies went out of their way to get me situated is an understatement. They were heroines!

The camp has loads of retro charm. A big mid-century lodge, picnic area, swimming lake, frisbee golf and a 2 mile hiking trail around the lake. I enjoyed a walk thru the snow and the comfort of having a safe and caring place to stay during my trip through Mississippi.

I suspect it will be the same for you even if your visit is under far different circumstances.

It’s really hard for me to give 1 star for anything, but this place is a dump. This is the 3rd MS State Park (North MS) we have been to and it is clear that MS does not take care of its state parks. Only half of the park is open, the grass was overgrown, trash/garbage is littered every where (especially near the open dumpsters that are randomly placed throughout camp), the ranger only came around to collect fees and then disappeared. The bathroom does not have AC or a fan, so it was a total sweat box. The toilet paper was not replenished, there is no hand soap, there was broken glass on the ground in one of the stalls. The shower portion wasn’t that bad, but again, no AC. The water hook ups are at least 100 foot away from most camp sites, so bring lots of extra hose if you do end up staying here. The site #’s are not clearly marked and they do not post if a site is reserved. No designated fire pits, so people have been just burning where ever they want. The fee is $22 a night, but they will charge you another $16 if you put up a tent. Overall, I paid $39 to stay in the worst campground we have ever gone to. Get it together Mississippi!

Puskus Lake campground is a nice campground and could be better but parts are starting to hurt from low use.  The forest service is looking at removing the campground due to low use.  On my visit I was the only one their with the exception of two others fishing out on the lake.  Only one of the three outhouses where open and that was the one by the boat launch.  All the campsites have picnic tables, metal fire rings and metal poles for hanging your lantern.  The campground sit in a nicely forested area just above the lake.  While this might be considered somewhat isolated in the area, if this campground was in Montana it would be packed.  This is a very nice campground in need of a little TLC and more visitors.  Get away from the crowds at those corp of engineer sites and come here for some solitude while you can.

Really like the area. It’s got campsites right on the lake, a day area, boat ramp. It is falling into disuse and disrepair. The Forrest service has signs that it is going to be decommissioned. It is a Fee area. It’s 1$ for day use and 7$ for camp use. Bring cash.

This is an old campground. The sites are not well marked, so make sure you get there during daylight. We have camped here a few times, as it is relatively close to home. They are finally beginning to work on the other side of the campground to get it opened back up. This has the potential to be a great spot. Most of the sites on the edges are in the sun most of the day, so be aware of that. The park is nice and peaceful, with plenty of fishing and boating opportunities. No real hiking to speak of, one short trail nearby.

We are back this year. In the 7 or so months since we camped here, this park has made some improvements. More sites are open. The grass in the open areas is better Maintained. The areas that are still closed look like they are getting close. I spoke to the ranger and the closed areas are closed due to electrical issues. They are having the power redone so it is safe to open.

We’ve stayed here three times and always in the same area away from the lake. Very quiet, friendly neighbors and pretty well maintained. We did have to buy an extra hose to reach water hookup but other than that, it was good. We did not book a site with sewer hookups, but the dump station was easy to find and no one else was there so it worked out well! Especially since it was our first time dumping. Not rushed! The rinse hose at the dump station was busted but thankfully we had an extra in our bin to rinse out our tanks.

This is our close by getaway. Usually pretty solid, not great, but not bad. This time, we’ll, it was pretty ugly around here. Looks like it has been weeks since the grass was cut. Talking to another camper, he said this park is known for never getting mowed. The water spigot was in a several inches of water, trash littered campsites, just overall, this place needs to do better. It has so much potential.

While many sites have full service, this campground is badly in need of repairs and maintenance. I am not sure if any of the bathrooms are open as I went to 3, that were out of service Oddly, there was a small building with laundry. The northern part of the campground appears to only have a few sites in the upper numbers that were open. Most sites in the northern part are grown up in weeds and the concrete tables were in bad shape The staff was very nice! . We stayed one night then moved just to the south to the COE campground that is much better maintained.

When you arrive the office is closed, just a phone number to check in. Very poor signage, sites are poorly marked. No lights for late arrivals. Branches down in the roads and sites. Roads had poor drainage and large puddles. Sites are paved and fairly level. You may need a long potable water hose, 50+ feet. The bathhouse was heated with hot showers and clean toilet stalls. This is a fishing hotspot with lots of boats and folks fishing from the shores. Sardis Lake is impressive and attracts hundreds of sportsmen. This is an inexpensive and convenient location if you have modest expectations.

Half of the park is abandoned/closed down and only one bath house is up and running. The few spots they do have are taken up by gigantic big rigs that don’t need the bathrooms so it’s terribly set up. The Ranger will try to bamboozle you into staying there when you are looking for the park next door (Hernando Point-Oak Grove).

Had a comfortable night in a cabin. Cabin was warm & had everything we needed. Will stay here again if we’re in the area.

Campground needs work and mowing. Fishing is pretty good most days.

Camped 4days/3nights. Really nice wooded sites. Water and Electric on site. Wifi-Tmobile worked fine whole trip. Not a lot of campers while I was here. Quiet and Peaceful. I did not use bathroom facilities. No one available at check-in however I had reserved and paid ahead. Staff drove around regularly. Felt safe here as a solo female tent camper with a dog. Would visit again

I enjoyed this place so much! Camping, fishing, geocaching and enjoying nature.