Reelfoot Lake is located in northwest Tennessee, formed when earthquakes in 1811-1812 caused the Mississippi River to flow backward, creating a 15,000-acre natural lake. Campsites in the area range from lakefront spots with cypress trees to wooded inland areas, with elevations generally below 300 feet. Winter camping options remain open year-round with temperatures rarely dropping below 25°F, though spring brings flooding challenges to certain campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing excursions on Reelfoot Lake: Reelfoot Lake offers unique fishing opportunities due to its submerged forest environment. At Roberson Camper Lots at Reelfoot Lake, visitors can enjoy direct lake access. "Spectacular sunsets and eagles flying all around," notes Kristi D., highlighting the wildlife viewing that accompanies fishing trips.
Fort Pillow hiking trails: The trails at Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground provide historical exploration combined with nature appreciation. "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. The park offers several trails of varying difficulty.
Evening ranger programs: Seasonal educational activities add value to your stay. "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!" shares Shana D. about her Fort Pillow experience.
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Dyersburg feature individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. Fort Pillow Historic State Park offers "private set room style" bathrooms according to Daniel L., though he notes they can become busy during peak times. Each bathroom includes a toilet, sink and private shower.
Reasonable rates for overnight stays: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the affordable options in the area. Century Casino RV Park (formerly Lady Luck) provides good value. "Cost $66 for the night," reports Kristie B., who appreciated the "paved pull through with hook ups" despite some sites being "out of commission."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bird watching ranks high among visitor activities. At Reelfoot Lake State Park, Harry C. describes "many cypress trees" creating habitat for various species. The "picturesque campground on Reelfoot Lake" offers proximity to natural areas where eagles and other wildlife can be observed in their natural habitat.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding affects availability: Water levels fluctuate dramatically throughout the year. "A good 90% of the campground was underwater! The handful of sites that were still open for use had pools of water standing on the site," reports Shana D. about a late fall visit to Reelfoot Lake State Park. Always call ahead during rainy seasons.
Office hours vary significantly: Campground offices often close early or for lunch breaks. At Serendipity Resort, "The camp store is open 8-8. The camp store has most of your daily needs such as ice and toiletries and firewood," notes Nathan B., though other campgrounds may have more limited hours.
Distance between facilities: Bathroom access can require planning. At Serendipity Resort, "The bathrooms are a bit of a walk from the sites. They have a shower house by the water park area... Only problem is the only handicapped accessible shower is in this shower house and they don't allow you to drive there unless you have a golf cart," explains Nathan B.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Dyersburg include play areas for children. Fort Pillow Historic State Park 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," according to Shana D., making it suitable for families with both children and dogs.
Educational exhibits: Coyote View RV Park & RV Repair serves as a convenient base for exploring regional attractions. "The bathrooms and laundry facilities at the park are very nice," notes Whistle P., providing essential amenities for family stays while visiting nearby nature centers and historical sites.
Water activities for various ages: Family-oriented activities vary by campground. Serendipity Resort offers extensive water recreation options: "We were there for 3 days and my kids used the water park. They had a blast on the jumpers and got very wore out... There is paddle boarding, kayaking, and a small John boat included with the park," reports Nathan B.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through accessibility: RV-friendly campgrounds offer varying degrees of accessibility. Joy-O RV Park provides "level gravel spots with shade" according to Never Sitting S., while Stacy W. notes it has "full hookups, right off of I-40, nothing fancy, but laundry available. Pull thru site, didn't need to disconnect 5th wheel."
Amenity reliability issues: Travelers should verify services upon arrival. At Century Casino RV Park, Kristie B. found "the wifi did not work," despite other amenities functioning well. Similarly, at Joy-O RV Park, Peter noted limitations in shower air conditioning that operated "only from about 4 pm until 9 pm."
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds in the area require minimal leveling for RVs. Alicia L. at Coyote View RV Park noted her site "wasn't completely level, but had we needed to stay longer we would have leveled ourselves," adding that this pet-friendly campground provides "a basic campground with amenities."
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