Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground, located about 15 miles northwest of Burlison, Tennessee, sits at approximately 400 feet elevation on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Camping options around Burlison include primitive tent sites, RV spots with varied hookups, and cabin accommodations. Winter temperatures generally range from 30-50°F while summer months can reach 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Explore historic sites: Fort Pillow Historic State Park features Civil War history along maintained hiking trails. "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," notes one visitor at Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer fishing, boating, and paddling options. "There is a small fishing lake with a boat ramp and pier," reports a Fort Pillow camper. At Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, visitors can "rent boats there or bring your own to take advantage of the lake which winds through various types of vegetation."
Join ranger programs: Some parks organize special activities led by staff. A Fort Pillow visitor shared, "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 one of the fee based activities, but for $5 per person, it was totally worth it!"
Disconnect from technology: Limited connectivity provides a chance to unplug. "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," explains a Meeman-Shelby Forest visitor.
What campers like
Private camping spots: Select sites offer more seclusion than others. At Tom Sawyer's RV Park, a camper appreciated that "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."
Clean facilities: Many parks maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. At Memphis KOA, visitors report "The laundry and camper kitchen were great amenities. The pool was clean and a great way to cool off." Another noted, "Facilities are very nice and include showers."
Family-friendly environments: Dedicated play areas keep children entertained. A visitor to T.O. Fuller State Park Campground mentioned "an updated playground in the campground area that looks very nice." Another observed "a nice day use area with a new playground, pavilion area and picnic tables" at Fort Pillow.
Wildlife viewing: Natural settings provide opportunities to observe animals. "Deer frequent the property," reports a camper at SK Campground, while Meeman-Shelby State Park offers the chance to see various wildlife within its 4,500 acres that even includes a small herd of bison.
What you should know
Site layouts vary significantly: Campground configurations can present challenges. A Fort Pillow visitor explained, "The 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."
Weather impacts: Seasonal conditions affect camping experiences year-round. A Meeman-Shelby camper warned, "If you do any trails in late summer here you will need mosquito spray because they come in droves."
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites require careful navigation. A visitor to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park noted, "The primitive sites 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."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds need advance booking, especially during peak seasons. At T.O. Fuller, sites "can be reserved on-line for up to 14 days" with a variety of lengths available.
Tips for camping with families
Check playground locations: Ensure recreation areas are convenient to your site. "The campground has 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," notes a Fort Pillow visitor.
Consider campground atmosphere: Some parks offer more family-oriented settings. A camper at Agricenter RV Park shared, "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. And, there are bison!!"
Look for water activities: Pools and lakes provide cooling options during hot months. At Serendipity Resort, "The pool is 11ft deep so there's no issues with using the diving board," and Memphis KOA offers "a clean pool" that helps families beat the summer heat.
Book group sites when available: Some parks have dedicated areas for larger gatherings. A Fort Pillow camper explained, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site specifications matter: Check length and hookup details when booking. At Midway RV Park, visitors appreciate the "concrete pads" and "full hookups" that provide convenience for larger rigs.
Consider accessibility: Some parks have better RV accommodation than others. An SK Campground visitor noted, "Pulling in was tight, but anyone worth their salt driving can get in with no problems."
Utilities vary by site: Confirm exact hookup details before arrival. A Tom Sawyer's RV Park visitor warned, "Some of the sites only have 50 and 30 amp power, and I primarily use 20 amp for my camper van."
Check dump station locations: Not all sites offer sewer connections. A Meeman-Shelby visitor mentioned "no sewer at any sites" despite having water and electric hookups, meaning you'll need to use the dump station when departing.
