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Best Tent Camping near University, MS

258 Reviews

Tent campsites near University, Mississippi offer several primitive options in surrounding national forests and at area lakes. Puskus Lake in Holly Springs National Forest provides rustic tent camping on the lake shore with simple amenities and wooded surroundings. Other tent-friendly locations include Beach Point at Sardis Lake and Graham Lake, both offering walk-in tent sites with water views approximately 20-30 miles from University.

Most tent campgrounds near University feature basic setups with picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Sites at Puskus Lake include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles, but limited drinking water access according to recent visitors. Vault toilets are available at most campgrounds, though Beach Point offers flush toilets without showers. As one camper noted on The Dyrt, "The campground is in the middle of Holly Springs National Forest on Puskus Lake. The camping spaces have a good amount of room so you do not feel like you are on top of each other." Self-registration is standard at most primitive tent areas, with fees ranging from free at some locations to approximately $7-8 per night at others.

The primitive tent camping experience near University varies seasonally, with most locations seeing increased visitation during spring and fall. Eagle Point Primitive Campground features level gravel tent pads with lake views and swimming access. According to reviews from The Dyrt, "All sites have a water view" and the area offers "great views of Grenada lake at both sunrise and sunset." Weekend occupancy tends to be higher at popular locations like Puskus Lake, where a reviewer mentioned, "I got there at about 3pm and was the first there but by nightfall every site was full." Tent campers should be prepared for limited cell service and potentially sharing facilities with day-use visitors at boat ramps and lake access points. Walk-in tent locations at Beach Point require carrying gear from parking areas to campsites but offer more secluded spots away from vehicle traffic.

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Best Tent Sites Near University, Mississippi (16)

    1. Puskus Lake

    9 Reviews
    University, MS
    12 miles
    Website

    "One bathroom away from the sites in the "day use" area. Mostly fisherman. The lake has motor oil/ fuel running on the surface. The docks nice, wide with bench seating."

    "We’ve frequented this small space since childhood. It’s very well remote off of HWY 30 in the Holly Springs National Forest."

    2. Beach Point - Sardis Lake

    4 Reviews
    Sardis, MS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 563-4531

    $8 / night

    "We reserved campsites 13 and 14, at the far end, behind the restrooms. You have to park in the parking lot and carry your stuff to the site."

    "Cars stay in the parking lot, and you walk up to your site. Pretty basic. Running water, flushable toilets, no showers. Quiet area.

    Early march, it was raining and I was the only one there"

    3. Graham Lake

    1 Review
    Waterford, MS
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 563-4531

    "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."

    4. Elmers Hill

    1 Review
    Sardis, MS
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 563-4531

    "Nice little spot with about 8 tent sites. No hookups of any kind for campers. Bathrooms are currently closed, but we’re nice when we stayed there, but old. Drinking water is available."

    5. Hays Crossing

    1 Review
    Sardis, MS
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 563-4531

    6. Cox Lake

    2 Reviews
    Potts Camp, MS
    27 miles
    Website

    7. Eagle Point Primitive Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grenada, MS
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 226-1649

    $10 / night

    "The campground is located in a beautiful spot on a peninsula with great views of Grenada lake at both sunrise and sunset."

    "There are eight campsites, each with a level gravel pad tent area, picnic table and grill. There is group fire pit area, with a picnic table."

    8. Kellys Crossing Campground

    2 Reviews
    O.C. Fisher Lake, MS
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 562-6261

    "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."

    9. Hugh White State Park - Outlet Channel

    1 Review
    Grenada, MS
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 226-4934

    "Many of the sites are shaded and face the river. This water flow is after the dam, so has a very strong current. Definitely not for swimming, but an okay view. Playgrounds available for the kids."

    10. Skuna/Turkey Creek Primitive Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Grenada, MS
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (662) 226-5911
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near University, MS

8 Photos of 16 University Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near University, MS

258 Reviews of 16 University Campgrounds

  • Napunani
    Dec. 13, 2022

    Trace State Park Campground

    Great Lake Views in Deer Run Campground

    PROS 

    No transaction fee assessed for making my own online reservation 

    Site 8 excellent view of lake 

    Asphalt parking pad 

    Pedestal BBQ, moveable wooden picnic table and rock campfire pit. 

    Eagle Ridge campground has 3 washers and 3 dryers $1.50 

    Heated toilet/shower blding. No AC tho - just a box fan.


    1 bar T-MOBILE but we’re able to live stream TV via T-MOBILE hot spot

    CONS 

    No senior discount 

    Site number is painted in the roadway and due to leaves on road difficult to find Numerous large road potholes from entrance gate to campground.  Guess this eliminates any need for speed bumps!

    Not dark sky friendly due to 2 street lights, at site 2 and 13, that light up most of the small campground loop 

    Deer Run campsites very close to each other 

    Site 8 unlevel side-to-side 

    Dirt and sand surrounded asphalt parking pad so during rains (for 2 days) it was a big mess 

    No privacy from any other campsite 

    Due to campsite water spigot being low to ground, insufficient space to add water filter 

    Deer Run campground toilet/shower building is not handicap accessible 

    Trash roll offs outside of camping loop. 15 minute walk one way. 

    No park WIFI

  • Richard
    Dec. 25, 2020

    Persimmon Hill(enid Lake)

    Christmas camp 2020

    Very nice campground. With family gatherings discouraged due to covid we decided to camp. We used site 58. Site has 30 50 15 amp, water and sewer. Concrete pad with extra concrete vehicle parking. Bathroom is directly in front with toilets and showers. Very clean and warm (low Christmas eve and Christmas 23). Concete picnic table, grill and grill table. Fire ring. This site will be waterfront in summer but with the winter let down no water right now. All together a great, well maintained facility. Also the north mississippi fish hatchery is here but closed for the holidays.

  • Tiffani H.
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Chickasaw Hill

    Nice, Clean Campground

    The campground was well maintained. The bathrooms were well kept, including showers. There is a day use area with a boat ramp, pavilion, beach, and playground. The only downside is the sites are very close together! We stayed in a tent and I booked based on the map. The tent sites are not shown correctly. There are 7 walk in sites grouped together. Each site had their own electric box and shared a water faucet. Not much privacy, but my daughter loved running around with the other kids.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 7, 2022

    South Abutment Recreation Area

    Gorgeous sunrises (and the sunsets aren't bad either)!

    We arrived just before sunset in late November (dang Daylight Savings time) so quickly got to our site and set up. Did not see anyone to check in but had reservations as now are required at all CoE campgrounds (a ranger drove through the next morning). The water level looked to be very low, but we still had a nice view at the end of the loop.

    Sites are FHU and other amenities include a large concrete picnic table, lantern hook, fire pit, BBQ grill, and food prep table. Sites are paved, generous in size, and spaced a very decent distance apart from each other; even though all the leaves had fallen and there were other campers in our loop, I did not feel a lack of privacy.

    The restrooms were clean and although there were paper towels, the soap dispensers were empty (my only beef with this campground)! The showers looked to be reasonable, but it was below freezing the next morning, so I didn’t try them out. There was also what appeared to be a utility sink in the bathroom but no shelves or other place to stage dishes. 

    I can only assume that water sports are in-season and not sure about other recreational activities. Because the ground was frozen the next morning, I was able to walk down to the water and get some great photos of the sunrise and birds. 

    This was just an overnight stay for us but for $12 (with the Golden Access Pass), it is a real bargain and the reason we often seek out Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds.

  • Clayton S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2020

    Bynum Creek

    Stayed the night

    I stayed the night in November.  It appears to be an old reservoir that has been drained.  The site has about 5 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings.  Nothing spectacular.  The locals do come through to party on the old reservoir.

    The reservoir was empty at this location.  It seems its part of Lake Enid and there is an old boat ramp, but there was no water in the reservoir.

  • Suzi T.
    Apr. 15, 2018

    Hernando Point

    Great experience

    Very clean restrooms and shower areas. Site had grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Water and electric hookup

  • H
    Sep. 22, 2021

    Eagle Point Primitive Campground

    A Scenic Stay

    The campground is located in a beautiful spot on a peninsula with great views of Grenada lake at both sunrise and sunset. The tent pads are nice and each camp has a grill and a nice marble picnic table. Several camps have fire pits, trash cans, and water faucets. There is a nice public restroom just a short walk from any camp. The sounds of the water crashing on the shores around you and the birds singing at sunrise are utterly calming. The only problem is the occasional truck that passes through to sit listening to music or use the campground road as a turn around. This could be fixed if the gate at the entrance were kept closed and only opened for actual campers.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Puskus Lake

    Nice campground, but might soon be gone

    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.

  • CJ W.
    Sep. 17, 2018

    Eagle Point Primitive Campground

    Good views, launch and 2 swimming areas

    Part of the day use area has been converted into a campground in 2018. There are eight campsites, each with a level gravel pad tent area, picnic table and grill. There is group fire pit area, with a picnic table. Unfortunately, the only place to have a fire at your campsite is in the grill. None of the sites have electricity. There is a central water spigot. The restroom has flush toilets, but no showers. You can go to one of the other many Corps of Engineers campgrounds nearby to shower. Both times we have stayed here, we were the only ones there. It's so new, almost no one knows of its existence. To either side of it, there is a swimming area in the day use area and at the boat launch / swimming beach. All sites have a water view.

Guide to University

Tent camping near University, Mississippi offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of scenic spots and outdoor activities.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Puskus Lake, you'll find a serene environment with drinking water and toilets available, perfect for a comfortable stay.
  • Beach Point - Sardis Lake provides picnic tables and allows campfires, making it a great spot for evening gatherings.
  • Elmers Hill features a few tent sites with access to drinking water, ensuring you have the essentials for a pleasant camping experience.

Local activities for outdoor enthusiasts

  • Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunities at Graham Lake, where you can cast your line in a peaceful setting.
  • For those who love hiking, Hays Crossing offers trails that lead to beautiful views of the lake, perfect for a day of exploration.
  • If you're looking for a quiet retreat, Gums Crossing Campground provides a tranquil atmosphere ideal for unwinding and enjoying nature.

Tent campers should check out unique features

  • Cox Lake is known for its picturesque lake area, making it a great spot for a peaceful night under the stars.
  • At Skuna/Turkey Creek Primitive Campground, you'll experience a true back-to-nature vibe with minimal amenities, perfect for those seeking solitude.
  • Memphis South Camp Ground offers a basic setup for tent campers, providing a no-frills experience close to the heart of Mississippi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near University, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near University, MS is Puskus Lake with a 4-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near University, MS?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near University, MS, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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