Cabins near Atoka, Tennessee provide convenient access to camping experiences within a short drive. Located in southwestern Tennessee, Atoka sits about 30 minutes northeast of Memphis in an area characterized by gently rolling hills and hardwood forests. The climate supports year-round camping with distinct seasonal variations, including high summer humidity and mild winters that rarely dip below freezing.
What to do
Visit the fire tower: Serendipity Resort in Brownsville features a fire tower with panoramic views. "There's plenty of room to walk around and a fire tower to climb. You can see some great views up there," notes Nathan B., who stayed at the resort.
Enjoy water recreation: Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers diverse water activities on Poplar Tree Lake. "You can travel to the boat ramp and marina and rent boats there or bring your own to take advantage of the lake which winds through various types of vegetation and allows you to see the lake in a way you cannot from the shore line," explains Crystal C., who particularly enjoyed kayaking the "swampy feeling area."
Explore hiking trails: Take advantage of the trail systems within Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. "We spent most of our time hiking around on the trail system within the park and fishing a little bit," shares Andrew S., who recommends hiking both the Woodland and Pioneer Springs trails, each about 4 miles long.
Fish at campground ponds: Many cabin accommodations offer fishing opportunities. "There is a pond in the rear with fishing allowed. Deer come out in the evening. Can see the stars at night," mentions Shay A. about SK campground, highlighting the added benefit of wildlife viewing.
What campers like
Off-grid feeling with urban proximity: Campers appreciate the secluded atmosphere despite being near Memphis. "You really can't go wrong with Meeman-Shelby. It is so damn close to Memphis that while you won't feel like you are near an urban center, you benefit from its proximity," notes Daniel L., who valued being able to sightsee and camp during a brief overnight stay.
Riverfront views: Tom Sawyer's RV Park offers unique Mississippi River views. "As the sun began to set, we walked along the river and climbed on huge logs and ran up and down the river bank," shares Greg S., who found that despite the campground's condition, "As I sat on the bench with my sons at dusk looking out across the mighty miss, the condition of the campground wasn't on my mind."
Kid-friendly amenities: Family-focused facilities make cabin stays more enjoyable. "We love this campground. The pads are made up of ground pavement. They have a blast on the jumpers and got very wore out. There is paddle boarding, kayaking, and a small John boat included with the park," explains Nathan B. about Serendipity Resort.
Clean, accessible facilities: First-time campers appreciate well-maintained amenities. "I was a first time camper and didn't know what to expect. Areas are very clean kid friendly playgrounds. Each space was far enough but not but also in proximity to each other for those who afraid to camp out somewhere totally alone. Bathrooms are nice and easily accessible near campsites," shares Nicole about her experience at Meeman-Shelby State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal insect challenges: Summer mosquitoes can impact the camping experience. "Unless you are in love with mosquitos you may want to stay away from here in the summer," warns Andrew S. about Meeman-Shelby. He recommends: "Bring citronella candles for your table when camping and try to put a dryer sheet in your pocket to ward off mosquitoes. In addition to spray these will make your trip here a bit more comfortable."
Connectivity varies by campground: Cell service can be limited in more wooded areas. "It is a nice park to bike around as the scenery is spectacular! Truly a 'back to nature experience' as our cell phones didn't get service, but it was somewhat refreshing," notes Sara S. about her stay at Meeman-Shelby State Park.
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking. "The primitive sites (there are three) are on a separate and I maintained road off of the campsite loop. Spacious sites, but if the weather is wet, it can be a bit iffy getting to them in a low clearance vehicle," advises Jason J. about Meeman-Shelby's primitive camping options.
Traffic noise at some locations: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Memphis offers many amenities but has some noise issues. "Pictures don't show the busy highway RIGHT NEXT to the campsites. Very loud traffic noise all day and night. Surrounded by city. Sites are pull through and narrow, no privacy, small patch of grass, full sun," cautions Stacy W.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with recreation options: Look for cabins with built-in activities. "The campground itself is tucked away deep into the Meeman Shelby State Forest and offers a pleasant amount solitude even though the sites are fairly close together," explains Daniel L., who notes not all sites work well for tent campers.
Consider proximity to Memphis attractions: Graceland RV Park & Campground provides excellent access to city attractions. "We aren't too enamored with Elvis but this was a nice RV park with a good value just outside of Memphis. For us we enjoyed the pavilion, pool, basketball hoop, playground, showers, and other amenities," shares Jeremy H., who also highlights a unique experience: "The highlight of our stay here, however, was the opportunity to take a free pink Cadillac limo ride to Marlowe's for superb BBQ."
Plan for weather contingencies: Temperature variations affect comfort. "It's good, not great. Proximity to Memphis was a plus, however, we had 0 service anywhere near our campsite. Nice to disconnect for a night, but plan accordingly," advises Ellie B., who paid $28 for a tent site at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.
Budget for additional activity fees: Some resorts charge separately for activities. "The water park is a $20 charge a piece on the first day and goes down to $10 a day for the rest of your stay. Be advised you will be charged whether you are going in the water or not," explains Nathan B. about Serendipity Resort.
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling before booking: RV sites vary in quality throughout the area. "The campground is not terrible even, so be prepared for that," warns Daniel L. about Meeman-Shelby, who also observed "a super long RV struggle to back into their site, so I wouldn't recommend this campground to RVs that require pull through sites."
Reserve riverside sites when available: Premium locations offer better experiences. "We got a riverfront pull through site, which was cool but not appreciated as much at it should have been due to the real feel of 95 degrees when we pulled in and zero shade to setup in," explains Greg S. about Tom Sawyer's RV Park, adding that "As evening rolled around, the beauty of this place came alive. We ate dinner in the shade due to the smart layout of the sites."
Consider seasonal closures: River conditions affect availability. "This campground is right on the Mississippi River, only problem is if the river is over its banks, then the campground is closed. We had to keep checking to see if the river was down, campground was cleaned up and open," advises Christine U. about Tom Sawyer's, noting "Lots of full hookups some on concrete, some are gravel, all level."
Look for parks with security: Safety considerations matter for overnight stays. "I felt completely safe at the camp ground. They a have a 24-hour security guard at the entrance and you must sign-in to enter the property," shares Erika P. about Graceland RV Park, though she cautions about Memphis generally: "Be careful and don't leave anything valuable in your vehicle outside of the RV park."
