Camping opportunities near Stanton, Tennessee span across forested state parks and riverside facilities within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at elevations between 300-400 feet above sea level with average summer temperatures reaching into the 90s and humidity levels above 70% during peak camping season. Winter camping is available at most locations, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing for extended periods.
What to do
Hiking at Fort Pillow: Explore historical trails leading to Civil War sites and Mississippi River views at Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground. "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 one visitor who appreciated the variety of outdoor activities.
Historical programs: Join ranger-led evening activities for authentic local experiences. "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," mentioned a camper who enjoyed the educational program.
Water recreation: Enjoy fishing, boating and swimming at Chickasaw State Park Campground with boat rentals available seasonally. "This park has camping, hiking trails, horse back riding and geocaching just to name a few things to do here," according to a recent visitor who found multiple activities to enjoy.
What campers like
Riverside views: Watch barge traffic from waterfront sites at Tom Sawyer's RV Park across the Mississippi in West Memphis. "Sunrise over the river was perfect. Watching the tug boats moving up and down the river all day and night was relaxing," shared one camper who enjoyed the unique riverside location.
Equestrian facilities: Horse lovers appreciate dedicated camping areas at Chickasaw State Park. "My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our maiden voyage to Chickasaw State Park this past weekend. The campsite for RVs was full so we decided to camp with the Wranglers! It was so beautiful and peaceful! We love horses so this was no problem for us," reported a visitor who discovered this alternative camping option.
Privacy at select sites: Some campgrounds offer secluded spots away from crowds. "We were fortunate to get a very shaded site that was very private. It is a nice park to bike around as the scenery is spectacular," noted a visitor at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, highlighting the importance of site selection.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping with lower humidity. Summer brings intense heat and mosquitoes. "Unless you are in love with mosquitos you may want to stay away from here in the summer, other than that it's a pretty nice place to escape for the weekend," warns a Meeman-Shelby Forest camper.
Campground terrain: Many sites feature uneven ground or specific limitations. "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," suggests a visitor who found navigation challenging.
Limited facilities at some locations: Bathroom availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "The primitive sites (there are three) are on a separate and unmaintained 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," reports a Meeman-Shelby camper about accessing more remote sites.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "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," describes a visitor to Fort Pillow who found ample recreation options.
Swimming accessibility: Serendipity Resort offers a water park and pool for cooling off. "There is 2 more 24hr toilet/shower stalls in the lower half of the camp store. The camp store is open 8-8. The camp store has most of your daily needs such as ice and toiletries and firewood. 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," notes a family camper.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature centers with wildlife displays. "The visitors center/museum was a bunker style building built into the side of the hill. Great exhibit and lots of info on the battle and fort at Fort Pillow," shared a parent who found the historical displays engaging for children.
Tips from RVers
Route planning: Access roads to some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. "The roads do narrow down a bit when first coming in so be prepared to watch your corners," advises a Serendipity Resort visitor with a larger RV.
Site selection for comfort: Shade availability varies dramatically between campgrounds and seasons. "After chasing a heat wave in a teardrop with no ac (an issue I plan to fix before next season) this was a great relief," shares a visitor to Memphis East Campground who appreciated the tree cover during summer.
Overnight conveniences: Joy-O RV Park offers easy interstate access for travelers passing through. "Campground has full hookups, right off of I-40, nothing fancy, but laundry available. Pull thru site, didn't need to disconnect 5th wheel," notes a visitor who found it perfect for a quick stopover.
