Camping options near Martin, Tennessee include state parks and private campgrounds within a 45-minute drive. The region sits along Reelfoot Lake, a natural area formed by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812. Winter temperatures average 30-45°F while summer months can reach 85-95°F with high humidity.
What to do
Kayaking on Kentucky Lake: Paris Landing State Park Campground offers water access with boat rentals available at the nearby marina. "There is swimming, fishing and boating. There is a pool and golf course. There is canoeing nearby," mentions Joel R.
Civil War history exploration: At Columbus-Belmont State Park, visitors can learn about regional history. "Great little Civil War museum," notes Lynn G., while J K. adds, "Columbus has plenty of areas to have a cookout, an abundance of trails to explore... history woven into its fabric which is narrated to you by way of signs and a museum."
Fishing at Reelfoot Lake: The unique flooded forest environment creates prime fishing conditions year-round. Harry C. describes Reelfoot Lake State Park as a "Picturesque campground on reelfoot lake near tiptonville tn... Many cypress trees."
Mini golf with family: Columbus-Belmont State Park offers affordable entertainment options. J K. mentions, "cute mini Golf course! (also a reasonable fee)," making it a good option during hot afternoons.
What campers like
Level camping areas: Many campgrounds in the region are situated on flat terrain. Felecia E. notes that Piney Campground has "varied sites with electric, water and sewer hookups. Or basic sites for tent camping."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Piney Campground offers natural habitat for regional species. "Saw a lot of wildlife for such a big campground with lots of people traffic," reports Shy-Anne W.
Clean facilities: Parkers Crossroads RV Park maintains high cleanliness standards. Matthew M. reports, "Bathhouses were not fancy but cleaner than most, we were impressed," and Victoria G. adds the campground has a "Clean laundry room and restrooms."
Waterfront access: According to Jennifer K., "The lake is absolutely gorgeous and Grey's bait shop offers boat rentals for $80 a day" at Reelfoot Lake State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Many campgrounds experience water level fluctuations. Rosa B. from Columbus-Belmont State Park recalls, "There had been heavy rains and some sites were flooded. We had a blast watching the ducks swim right up to our site."
Variable site sizes: Campsite dimensions vary considerably between parks. Mick and Karla W. advise at Parkers Crossroads, "not all sites in this CG are the same and some are quite nice with room between them. We were here for two days and placed in the row where they place shorter rigs for overnighters."
Office hours limitations: Some parks have restricted hours. Shana D. noted at Reelfoot Lake, "When we finally made it to the park, we were greeted with a 'closed' office. Apparently the office at the campground closes everyday from 12p-1p for lunch."
Road noise: Some campgrounds have highway proximity issues. Sara C. reports about Paris Landing State Park, "The spot was nice, the park was lovely, but the road noise was bothersome. We were in a spot pretty far from the road but it was very noticeable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Martin feature play areas. At Milan City RV Park, William N. reports the park is "nice and quiet," making it suitable for families with children.
Ranger-led activities: Educational programs enhance family camping experiences. Brandon R. suggests at Piney Campground, "take one of the many ranger-led tours by land or boat!! We did a bird watching tour that was incredible, we got close to so many different species."
Kid-friendly hiking: Paris Landing offers trails appropriate for younger hikers. Kim B. notes, "The hiking trails we found were perfect length for the kids (ages 5-9 at the time) but not for more serious hikers."
Open play spaces: Many campgrounds provide room for children to be active. Jeff F. states Paris Landing has "Big open areas for children to play overall very good state park campground."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: RVers should come prepared with leveling equipment. Tom B. advises at Parkers Crossroads RV Park and Campground, "TIP: If using those yellow camco 'lego' block to level, be sure to put a canvas tarp or rubber mat between the blocks and the pavement, otherwise they will slide when you try to roll on top of them."
RV maintenance options: Coyote View RV Park offers repair services when needed. Whistle P. shares, "If your RV needs service, CAMP HERE! The owners Lowell and Jill are THE BEST HUMANS. We were on a cross country journey when our slide suddenly stopped working... Lowell looked at the slide the next day. He ended up having to go basically wire by wire to find out what was broken."
Site selection: At Roberson Camper Lots at Reelfoot Lake, Hank G. warns, "It's a camper lot. All white stone gravel, no landscaping, no trees, no tables or fire rings," while praising its lakefront location.
Hookup testing: Before setting up, test electrical connections. Todd M. explains at Paris Landing State Park, "Had water and electrical hook up but the 30 amp was fried. Luckily it also had 20 amp so power management was key."
Legend
