Free Camping Collection
Established Camping
Rocky Springs Campground, Milepost 54.8 — Natchez Trace Parkway
About
National Park Service
Natchez Trace Parkway
Rocky Springs is located on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 54.8. It includes a 22-site campground, picnic tables, restrooms, a section of the Old Natchez Trace, self-guiding walking trails through the old town site and the spring. Campground sites are on a first come first served basis, no reservations. Pull-through and back-in sites are available. Campgrounds are typically busiest during the spring and fall, especially during holiday weekends. ADA Access: Services available: restrooms in campground, designated campsite with picnic table.
Fee Info
No Fee Area
RV & Trailer Information - No electric or plumbing hookups. The length restriction for RVs is 55 feet, including a tow vehicle, and the height restriction is 14 feet. The Parkway can accommodate an RV weighing up to 40,000 pounds.
Reservation Info
Campground sites are on a first come first served basis, no reservations. Campgrounds are typically busiest during the spring and fall, especially during holiday weekends.
Location
Rocky Springs Campground, Milepost 54.8 — Natchez Trace Parkway is located in Mississippi
Directions
At mile post 54.8 exit off of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Take the first right to enter into the campground. Latitude: 32.08645 Longitude -90.79871
Coordinates
32.0874319 N
90.79884055 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TFair
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Perfect Overnight
This campground is the perfect overnight spot; there are some hiking trails & historic sites to visit but, otherwise, it’s just a good spot to pull off the parkway and recharge. There are probably 20-25 sites, most if not all ate large enough for RVs or pull-behind rigs. Above ground fire pits, BBQ grills and picnic tables at most sites, off of the paved parking area(s). The bathroom(s) aren’t great, but they work! 1 bar Verizon, not enough to load any GPS or internet but you can squeeze a message out.
- (7) View All
Beautiful place on the Natchez Trace
This is a great campground right off the Natchez Trace. I was able to get the last spot there. After my set up I went for a walk up to the old church and remains of the town of Rocky Springs. Being a Nevada Barr fan I was delighted to see the cemetery she mentioned in one of her books “Deep South”. I had planning on staying two nights but had trouble with my refrigerator so I was disappointed that I had to leave the next day. Will definitely be back when I am in the area. I will say this is a rustic campground. There are two bathroom facilities and the third has been boarded up for years. Have your fresh water tank full when you arrive. There is no water available other than the sinks and flush toilets in the bathrooms. No shower facilities. Not an issue for me as I travel in a small motorhome. And don’t show up with a full tank of grey and black water because there isn’t a dump station. I didn’t get to hike the hiking trails. I did walk down to the water that is behind the amphitheater and it was pretty. Very quiet and peaceful place.
- (12) View All
A Bit Run Down, but quiet
Rocky Springs CG, MS:
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
70 yr olds in 17’ trailer:
Overall Rating: 4
Usage during visit: Moderate, 1/2 to 3/4 full
Site Privacy: 3
Site Spacing: 3.5. Some sites have very nice spacing. Others are oddly placed
Site surface: Black top
Site level: Good
Reservations: No. - Free
Campground Noise 5. Quiet
Electricity: No
Water: No
Sewer: No
Dump: No
Road Noise: 3. Lower section had moderate road noise. Semis are not allowed on the adjacent Natchez Trace Hwy.
Bathroom: 4 flush toilets. Fairly clean.
Cell Service (Verizon): 1. Intermittently messages may come through.
Setting: 4. Dense forest w nice creek to sit near and enjoy on a warm day. No sites are adjacent to the creek.
Weather: 3. Highs 70 to low 50s. Lows into the 30s
Bugs: Minimal.
Solar: Some sites, moderate. Most sites filtered sun.
Host: None
Location: Somewhat isolated. 30 minutes from nearest substantial grocery store.
Notes: Somewhat run down, some buildings in use. Only one bathroom is operational. It is in the lower section which is closer to road noise.
- (9) View All
One of my favorite places
This is one of my favorite places in the south. The old town of rocky Springs is worth a visit. The campground is free. It has not been maintained by the NPS. Sadly it needs alot of work. There are flush toilets but no potable water. But you get to cruise on the trace!
Needs attention.
This campground has three restrooms. One is boarded up and should be razed. One in the ranger station was closed but the lights were on. The one open restroom had no power or water in the sink. Apparently there was a trickle in the women’s side sink. Fortunately the toilets flushed.
As tenters, we camped near the restrooms. Road noise was considerable during late afternoon and early morning. There were other sites further from the road but also the restroom. The adjacent trails and historic features were outstanding.
No water currently
It's a beautiful area and nice little piece of history to see. I'm assuming due to covid though there isn't running water in the restrooms and showers aren't accessible either. It's a fairly busy campground with people coming in and out and driving around the loop. But other than that there weren't any issues.
Could have been better
This is one of three free campgrounds that can be found along the Natchez Trace. Located near Port Gibson, MS it is the first campground after leaving Natchez, MS. The lower section of this park is very wet. If possible, try to get one of the campsites on higher ground if you’ll be tent camping. When I was there the bathroom in the campground was open, but I couldn’t get the lights or water to turn on. It was like the restrooms were still winterized, but I don’t know why they would have been unlocked. I heard lots of wildlife while here, coyotes, owls, frogs, and many other little critters. Be sure to check out the old town site and church of Rocky Springs.
- (10) View All
Nice
Really pretty area, fire pits and grills, flushable toilets, no running taps though. Quiet area, all paved roads.
It use to be a cotton town.
Convenient for Southern Section of Natchez Trace
Spent 4 nights, flush toilets, lots of sites, hiking trails nearby, old town site of Rocky Springs nearby, plus ancient burial mounds, and Windsor Plantation round. Water was off on sinks and note to not drink the water. Trash cans, picnic tables, and fire pits. Close to road but not very well traveled at night. No camp host. No Verizon signal.
- (10) View All
Fun and quiet little site
Took my two sons on our first camping trip here. There are quite a few hiking trails and none are too difficult even for my 4 y.o. The main trail, where the town used to be was awesome. There are several old structures left behind and info plaques that tells the story on all of it. The bathrooms were closed due to the pandemic but the ranger station bathrooms at the front were open. Definitely, will be a site we'll visit many more times.
Wonderful FREE Back to Nature Camping
Rocky springs campground is a great place to get back to nature while traveling the South end of the historical Natchez Trace. There is almost NO cell service regardless of carrier. No electric, drinking water, or showers however the first set of bathrooms are very clean and work well. The bathroom sink water is not potable...it had a yellow tinge... literally. Nice paved pull through and back in pads, fire rings (way too tall but hey?!?), grills and picnic tables are plentiful. The large shade trees made solar power minimal but it was worth the boon docking, old time camping experience. Very peaceful get away from it all area. We camped next to the bathroom in a 21' RV.
- (10) View All
The Old Natchez Trace
Campsites fairly spread out with decent shade in most spots. The low review is mostly because on bathroom was in disrepair and another was clogged up our whole stay.
Lots of close trails nearby though that lead to various historic sights. Nice for passing through or staying for a few days.
- (5) View All
Beautiful place!
Me and my family came here with our tent and had a blast. We explored the old church and what’s left of the city. There is a lot to do for such a small campground. First come first serve and no electricity or water. It had bathrooms but no bathhouse.
- (17) View All
Rocky springs
Its a remote location right off of Natchez Trace. No cellphone service except for a few lucky people. No stores for at least 30 mins any direction. But very interesting place riddled with history. I would just come prepared with things such as a full tank of gas , food, and other necessities. They do have a bathroom but no showers. There is a creek near by though. Its a little creepy at night if there are other campers walking around. Zero street lights.
Great place to boondock
We love the trails, walking in the creek, and exploring the old town site of Rocky Springs, especially the cemetery.
Brown water, nice trees
There was flushing toilets which was nice. However the water in the toilets and coming out of the faucets was brown. Bring hand sanitizer.
No Verizon coverage.
Didn’t spend long here but it was pretty. Campsites seemed nice enough. Roads were paved.
Great spot
Went for a primitive campsite with some guys. Great sites with plenty of room between them. You can easily set two or three tents without having to worry about disturbing other campers.
Free Campground right next to the Natchez Trace
Campground is very nice and convenient to the Natchez Trace. Nature and a beautiful place are your amenities. If you’re looking for a resort park with hookups then you will not find it here. If you’re looking for nature, a waterfall, remnants of a now abandoned once thriving town including two safes and a fully intact and functional church, a place steeped in history that happens to have paved campsites without bathhouses, electric or water hookups at no cost to you then welcome to what you’ve been looking for all day! I think it’s all about the perspective. This is a functional place enjoyed by many and great place to visit and stay a night or two as you travel the Trace.
Unique place
Free spot with restrooms (no showers). Just of the Natchez Trace parkway, which is nice for biking and scenic drives. A small trail takes a tour of the remains of a ghost town. Camping spots are spread out and have decent tree cover. Saw deer in the campgrounds on my last visit.
- (5) View All
Great place for camping!
Great place for camping! I believe it is first come first serve, so get there early on holiday weekends.
Great place
Wonderful place for a picnic and walk around the old town of Rocky Springs! There is also an old open church there that you can walk in!
Nothing Fancy
This little campground is nestled along the Natchez Trace Parkway at mile marker 54.8 (https://www.nps.gov/natr/planyourvisit/upload/NATRmap_1_113_web.pdf).
This is a FREE first come, first serve campground that offers 22 sites. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and flat real estate for setting up your tent. The campground is well shaded and can accommodate RVs but there are no hook ups available. There are a few bathrooms that have flush toilets and sinks but there are not showers available.
It's a small facility that gets moderate use but appears to be well maintained. While black bears aren't prolific in the area they have been spotted. Be sure to store all food and scented items in your vehicle if possible.