Best Tent Camping in Mississippi
Tent camping in Mississippi offers a mix of established sites and primitive options within state parks and national forests. Rocky Springs Campground along the Natchez Trace Parkway provides tent sites with drinking water and toilet facilities, while Shepard State Park Campground in Gautier features wooded tent sites with picnic tables. Tent-only areas at Airey Lake Recreation Area in Perkinston provide additional primitive options surrounded by Mississippi's natural landscape.
Mississippi's tent campgrounds typically feature level dirt or gravel pads with partial tree cover. Access varies from drive-in sites to walk-in tent areas that require carrying equipment short distances from parking areas. Several primitive tent sites like those at Beach Point on Sardis Lake require campers to park in designated lots and carry gear to their campsite. Most tent areas provide fire rings and trash collection, but amenities vary widely. Primitive sites often lack running water, while established campgrounds offer toilets and sometimes showers. Seasonal considerations include summer humidity and insects, especially flies at waterfront locations.
Tent-specific areas provide quieter experiences away from RV sections with generators. Sites at Kellys Crossing Campground offer boat access to Arkabutla Lake and privacy from other campers. Beach Point - Sardis Lake features tent sites with lake views and abundant natural firewood. According to one visitor, "The view and proximity to the water is truly what makes this spot. All sites are tent sites so you have to be parked in the parking lot." Primitive sites throughout Mississippi's public lands typically provide picnic tables, trash cans, and access to trails. Wooded tent areas at Shepard State Park offer protection from sun and moderate privacy between sites. Tent campers frequently mention the quality of night skies and relative seclusion found at Mississippi's walk-in tent sites compared to developed RV camping areas.
