Tom Sawyer's RV Park
Like others, we found the area outside the park to be industrial and a little dodgy, but once in the park itself, it is a real gem! The barge channel is right off the park's riverbank, so you get an up close look as they pass by
6 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Camping options in the vicinity of Atoka, Tennessee primarily center around developed campgrounds in nearby state parks and private facilities. Within 50 miles, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park and Fort Pillow Historic State Park offer tent and RV sites along with cabin accommodations. Several privately managed campgrounds like SK Campground and Agricenter RV Park provide additional options with varying levels of amenities, particularly for recreational vehicles requiring hookups.
Road access varies throughout the region, with some state park campgrounds featuring newly renovated concrete pads capable of accommodating larger rigs. One camper noted, "The sites are extremely close together and there is absolutely no privacy," highlighting the importance of site selection at certain locations. Many campgrounds undergo seasonal changes in visitation patterns, with summer bringing higher occupancy rates and potential for mosquito activity. Most established campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though weather conditions from late fall through early spring can affect comfort levels. Sites with electrical hookups are available at most locations, though availability of full hookups differs between facilities.
Campers consistently mention the peacefulness of certain campgrounds as a key attraction. According to one visitor, "We live close and love being able to break away and isolate ourselves from the world. There is no cell reception really at campsites and that just makes it better." Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park earns positive reviews for its quiet atmosphere and natural setting. Fort Pillow Historic State Park combines camping with educational opportunities through its Civil War historical site and museum. Waterfront access varies by location, with some campgrounds offering fishing opportunities at small lakes or scenic views of the Mississippi River. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities including bathhouses, though the quality and accessibility of facilities differ between locations.
"We really enjoyed the trails and roads for walking/biking. Not crowded and pretty quiet. August in Tennessee is hot and muggy!"
"The campground is generally more expensive than the other surrounding camping spots in the area. However, the camp is very nice."
Available next weekend
"The group site is away from all the other sites so you have plenty of room for children of all ages to run around and play without disturbing other campers. It’s very roomy and beautiful."
"The bathrooms were close by and extremely clean, with good water pressure and temperature. It’s also a great price compared to other state park prices. We cannot wait to come back!"
Available next weekend
"The CG is close to the commissary. Not much else with in walking distance."
"Holy heck the drive getting to this place is crazy- left off the interstate, through a shady part of Memphis, past all kinds of industry, across tracks and over a dike, down a curvy bumpy gravel road past"
"This campsite is in West Memphis, Arkansas right across the river from Memphis Tennessee. The sites are right on the river bank, beautiful. Sunrise over the river was perfect."
"at the end of the street, near the woods, a stunning place, real heaven for a camper. Shay was very helpful in getting us in and out with our 33 ft camper"
"Pulling in was tight, but anyone worth their salt driving can get in with no problems."
from $40 - $60 / night
"This park is in a part of Shelby Farms Park which is a 4,500 acres of lakes, bike and running trails, playgrounds and so much more. The park also has plenty of events to keep you entertained."
"Odorous, there is a water treatment plant close by. We parked the mobile apartment, grabbed an Uber, and went to Graceland. PS."
"Cicadas will drive you mad (even with earplugs I struggled to sleep but can't do anything about them..just fyi)."
Available next weekend
"We spent the night while driving north past Memphis. The staff was super helpful. Our site (and the whole campground) was covered in snow and in was cold."
"They also have a community garden.Very close to Memphis. The only downside is it has quite a bit of road traffic noise and a strange side road entrance.1"
"It is located next to Elvis Presley’s Memphis and across the street from Graceland- it’s a busy area."
"You can walk right from the RV park to the museum. There’s a private gate from the campground to leads to the museum so you don’t have to drive anywhere."
Like others, we found the area outside the park to be industrial and a little dodgy, but once in the park itself, it is a real gem! The barge channel is right off the park's riverbank, so you get an up close look as they pass by
This review is from an overnight perspective versus destination campground. We pulled into Love’s and followed the signs directing us to four RV sites behind the front gas pumps near the dog park. There was plenty of room to maneuver our big rig for an easy back-in to site 4, which had water and electric(50/30/20 AMP). The hookups were located at the far back of the pad, but with no curb, we were able to back over the grass a little to get closer. With temperatures around 100 degrees, we were anxious to get our air conditioners running. We attempted to check in using our confirmation email, but the electric would not come on. We went inside and were told the electric should already be working. About 10 minutes later, two employees came out and explained that we had not checked in. After explaining that we had attempted to check in online, we returned inside, where an employee completed our check-in. One of the employees then came back out to make sure our electric was working. We were impressed with the service and follow-through. Water pressure was on the low side at 30 psi, but for an overnight stay, no big deal. The four sites were nicely spaced with yellow striping separating each site. We had 3 bars of 5G on T-Mobile and 4 bars of 5G on Verizon. The Love’s Stop RV Wi-Fi worked well for light internet use, while our T-Mobile Home Internet handled TV and other streaming needs. With no trees, satellite reception would not be a problem. Site 4 was closest to the dog park, and having some grass nearby was especially nice for getting our pup out during the hot afternoon when the concrete and asphalt were too hot for her paws. Unlike the larger Love’s RV Stops, this location did not have full hookups, a shower house, playground, or other RV amenities. However, a dump station was available at no additional charge. We’ve stayed at several Love’s travel stops, and this location was among the noisiest, with considerable truck traffic and highway noise throughout the night, possibly due to the limited truck stops along I-155. We’re generally not bothered by noise, but the constant activity did affect our sleep a little. Overall, a convenient overnight stop with easy site access and helpful employees, but light sleepers may want to consider the noise.
We really enjoyed our stay at Graceland RV Park and Campground. If you’re coming to Memphis to visit Graceland, it’s hard to beat the location. Being so close made everything easy and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the whole experience without rushing.
The Graceland Mansion tour was fantastic. Even if you’ve seen it countless times on TV, actually walking through Elvis’s home and seeing the rooms for yourself is something completely different. There’s so much history there, and it really gives you a sense of the man behind the legend.
We were equally impressed with the museums and exhibits. There is far more to see than we expected, from Elvis’s cars and stage outfits to memorabilia and displays covering his incredible career. Give yourself a good 3–4 hours at a minimum to see everything properly. You could easily spend longer if you’re a big Elvis fan.
While we were in Memphis, we also made the trip downtown to Beale Street, and we’re glad we did. It’s exactly the kind of place you picture when you think of Memphis — live music coming from the bars, plenty of restaurants, lots of places to grab a drink and a great atmosphere as you walk along the street. It made for a brilliant evening after spending the day at Graceland.
For us, staying at Graceland RV Park, touring the mansion and museums, and then experiencing the music, bars and restaurants of Beale Street made for a memorable Memphis visit.
We’d happily stay here again. If you’re traveling by RV and Graceland is on your bucket list, this is a great place to make your base.
Awesome Clean camp grounds with easy bathroom and water and electric hook ups definitely a 10 out of 10
This is our 3rd visit to this campground. Worth the short drive off Route 40 to get an awesome view of the river and nice benches along river if you’re not up for walking in the heat of summer. Rather level concrete and gravel spots.
My husband and I loved the 20Amp tent sites. The bathrooms were close by and extremely clean, with good water pressure and temperature. It’s also a great price compared to other state park prices. We cannot wait to come back!
Nice place after you get past the Oil refinery and the neighborhood. Once in park it is well maintained and safe. Nice to watch the bardges on the Mississippi
Nice and clean, small campground.
Campground was a little difficult to find. Had to ask a ranger for directions. It was dusk when we arrived and the bugs were no joke. We are talking mosquitoes, no seeums, moths, flies. Make sure you pack your bug spray!
However, the campground was very well maintained with nice bathhouses. There were 3 bathroom stalls, 4 showers all ADA accessible, and the AC felt so nice. Make sure you have your reservation on hand because the cell service is really bad there (I have Verizon) and couldn’t load my reservation confirmation. Without it I would not have been able to get into the bathrooms since you need to put in a code to access them.
The area is really nice for its proximity to the city.
Camping options near Atoka, Tennessee span across several state parks and private facilities within a 50-mile radius. The flat river plains and rolling hills surrounding Atoka provide varied terrain for campers, with elevations ranging from 270 to 400 feet above sea level. During summer months, humidity levels frequently exceed 80% and temperatures regularly reach the 90s, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent camping.
Hiking through forest terrain: At Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, trails wind through dense wooded areas. "I hiked both the Woodland and Pioneer Springs trails, each about 4 miles and along the way enjoyed just taking in the outdoors. I will say that if you do any trails in late summer here you will need mosquito spray because they come in droves," notes Crystal C.
Fishing opportunities: Small lakes at state parks offer catch-and-release opportunities for bass and bream. "There is also a small fishing lake with a boat ramp and pier," reports Rick P. about Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground.
River watching: Observe commercial traffic on the Mississippi River. "Tugboats pushed barges against the current at a slower than walking pace. Trees with root balls intact floated downstream," shares Greg S. after staying at the riverfront. "Watching the tug boats moving up and down the river all day and night was relaxing," adds another camper.
Historic site exploration: Fort Pillow offers significant Civil War history. "The historic site of Ft Pillow from the Civil war is on one of the hiking trails. The trails also go along the Mississippi river and provide some beautiful views," explains Rick P.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds offer peaceful settings despite proximity to urban areas. "We live close and love being able to break away and isolate ourselves from the world," mentions one visitor about camping near Atoka. Another camper at Tom Sawyer's RV Park notes, "Sunrise over the river was perfect. Watching the tug boats moving up and down the river all day and night was relaxing."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk bring opportunities to see local fauna. "Deer frequent the property," reports Ron R. about a small private campground. "Deer come out in the evening. Can see the stars at night," confirms another camper at the same location.
Free amenities: Some campgrounds include unexpected perks. "Free laundry facilities were very clean and nice with several machines," notes Kristy J. Another camper confirms, "Clean restroom, free laundry and free WiFi. This is a campground we would like to stay at again."
Educational opportunities: Fort Pillow provides historical learning. "Great exhibit and lots of info on the battle and fort at Fort Pillow," shares Shana D. "The visitors center/museum was a bunker style building built into the side of the hill," adds another camper.
Mosquito prevalence: Multiple campers mention insect issues, particularly in summer months. "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," advises Crystal C. Another camper at SK Campground reports "A LOT of bugs—we got eaten alive."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location. "0 service anywhere near our campsite. Nice to disconnect for a night, but plan accordingly," shares Ellie B. Another camper confirms, "There is no cell reception really at campsites and that just makes it better."
Site spacing considerations: Proximity between sites differs by campground. "The sites are extremely close together and there is absolutely no privacy," reports one camper. Another notes, "Sites are decent and paved. Facilities are adequate and clean."
Site selection importance: Researching specific site attributes helps ensure comfort. "We were fortunate to get a very shaded site that was very private," mentions Sara S. "Not all sites are suitable for tent campers. I would call ahead to ask what sites to consider if booking online, or just show up," advises Daniel L.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "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," reports Nicole at Meeman-Shelby State Park.
Swimming options: Pools provide summer relief from heat. "We enjoyed the campground and have never had better service from the parks staff," notes Don N. at Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground. Another camper adds, "Rec'd reduced swim passes and the kids enjoyed the pool area."
Budget-friendly activities: Free or low-cost entertainment options exist at most parks. "They work hard to offer great ranger lead programs. You can tell right away that the staff really does care about this park," says Shana D. "The campground itself is tucked away deep into the Meeman Shelby State Forest and offers a pleasant amount solitude," shares another visitor.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds provide enhanced security. "They have a 24-hour security guard at the entrance and you must sign-in to enter the property," reports Erika P. at Graceland RV Park & Campground. "I felt completely safe at the camp ground," she adds.
Utility hookup availability: Electricity options vary between campgrounds. "All sites with water, 30A, fire ring, grill and picnic table," notes Ryan S. about state park facilities. "Sites are all mixed together. You have a handful of RV sites with 50 amp, a couple of 30 amp sites and then lots of tent sites that have 20 amp or no power at all," explains another camper.
Dump station locations: Not all parks offer on-site sewer connections. "No sewer at any sites," reports one camper about state park facilities. Another notes, "A dump station is located as you exit the park and is easy to navigate in and out of."
Site leveling challenges: Some campsites require significant adjustment. "About half of the sites are on a slight incline that we would consider unlevel," reports a camper. "The inner loop of the primary campground has been updated with new concrete and gravel and 2 sites are ADA accessible," shares Ryan S.
Accessibility information: Researching site-specific details prevents arrival disappointment. "The campground seems to have been renovated in the last few years," notes Shana D. about Agricenter RV Park. "Located at the Agricenter. Squeeze in! Drive Thru sites. There is a Farmers Market on site. Picked up some fruits and plants before heading out," adds another RVer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Atoka, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Atoka, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 41 campgrounds and RV parks near Atoka, TN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Atoka, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Atoka, TN is Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Atoka, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Atoka, TN.
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