Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground, located 20 miles northwest of Covington, anchors the camping options in this part of Tennessee. The region contains multiple lakes and rivers with elevations ranging from 250-500 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for campers. Weather patterns typically include hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezes.
What to do
Hiking trails along the Mississippi River: At Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground, visitors can explore trails with river views. "The trails also go along the Mississippi river and provide some beautiful views. They also have a small lake and available canoes/kayaks for rent," notes Rick P.
Historical site exploration: Fort Pillow preserves significant Civil War history. "We enjoyed the hikes around the Civil War historic area and the nature center was very interesting as well. There is a nice raised walking area there as well," shares Ryan S.
Night hikes with rangers: Participate in special ranger-led programs for a different perspective. One visitor recounted, "Ranger Tyson informed us that they were doing a night hike to the Fort and they would be serving Gumbo for dinner around the campfire at the Fort. Sign me up! It was totally worth it!"
Disc golf near the city: Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers recreational options close to Memphis. "There is a disc golf course that is very popular. There is a nature center that is under renovation that has snakes, spiders and owls to see," explains a regular camper.
What campers like
Privacy in wooded settings: Campsites tucked into forests provide seclusion. "Every site feels like it was cut right out of the trees. They are all RV sites with electric and water but I pitched a tent with no problem," explains Richard about Meeman-Shelby Forest.
Mississippi River views: Tom Sawyer's RV Park offers unique waterfront camping. "The sites are right on the river bank, beautiful. Sunrise over the river was perfect. Watching the tug boats moving up and down the river all day and night was relaxing," shares Stacey.
Clean facilities: Some campgrounds maintain excellent bathhouses. "I was a first time camper and didn't know what to expect. I can say that it was very serene and relaxing. Areas are very clean kid friendly playgrounds. Bathrooms are nice and easily accessible near campsites," notes Nicole at Meeman-Shelby.
Free amenities: Several parks offer unexpected perks. "Free laundry, and even some small walking trails!" mentions one Tom Sawyer's RV Park visitor.
What you should know
Variable cell service: Connectivity can be limited at many campgrounds. "We had 0 service anywhere near our campsite. Nice to disconnect for a night, but plan accordingly," reports Ellie B. about Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.
Tight access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging entrances. At SK campground, "Pulling in was tight, but anyone worth their salt driving can get in with no problems," according to Christopher N.
Seasonal insects: Summer months bring significant mosquito populations. "If you go after the weather warms up, be forewarned that the mosquitos will eat you alive. We mostly camp at Meeman-Shelby in the fall/winter. We do not camp Spring/Summer."
Neighborhood considerations: Some campgrounds are located in areas that may concern visitors. "The drive in is a little eyebrow raising, you either take a long drive through a kind of run down neighborhood, or an industrial park," notes one camper about T.O. Fuller State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The park had a really nice day use area with a new playground, pavilion area and picnic tables. There is also a basketball goal/court area near the day use area," reports Shana D.
Water activities: Serendipity Resort offers extensive water recreation. "My kids used the water park. They had a blast on the jumpers and got very wore out. 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," explains Nathan B.
Group camping options: For larger family gatherings, dedicated areas provide space. "We stayed in the group site that will hold up to 200 people for Halloween and it was perfect. 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," shares Brittni F.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can observe nature up close at several parks. "It has a pond in the rear with fishing allowed. Deer come out in the evening. Can see the stars at night," notes Shay A. about SK campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: At Agricenter RV Park, "all sites with water, 30A, fire ring, grill and picnic table," but campers should note that "some sites on the back sides of the camp ground are subject to erosion and can be unlevel and not ideal for kids."
Flooding considerations: River proximity affects some campgrounds. "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," cautions Christine U.
Site spacing varies significantly: RV sites range from spacious to tight across different parks. "A lot of space in between sites, concrete pads, grassy and quiet," notes Tony C. about Midway RV Park.
Long-term vs short-term considerations: Some campgrounds better suit extended stays. "It is a good location to see all the sights in Memphis or to stay a night or two. There are also several workers who stay there when certain events are in town," explains a visitor about Agricenter RV Park.
