Reelfoot Lake State Park forms the centerpiece of camping near Troy, Tennessee, located in the northwest corner of the state. Created by a series of earthquakes in the early 1800s, this 15,000-acre lake sits at approximately 282 feet elevation, featuring distinctive cypress trees growing directly from the water. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with summer highs averaging 90°F and winter lows dropping to the 30s.
What to do
Bird watching excursions: Reelfoot Lake State Park Campgrounds offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for bird enthusiasts. "We saw 10 bald eagles, osprey, egret, blue heron. Worth the price and time!" noted a visitor who took a pontoon tour from the state park visitor center.
Pontoon boat tours: The guided tours provide historical context and nature sightings. "Did a 2 hour pontoon tour offered at the TN State Park Visitor Center. Guide was excellent. Neat to see a bald cypress in one of TN's only 2 natural lakes," according to one camper at South Campground.
Kayaking on the lake: The unique cypress environment creates memorable paddling experiences. "This park is like nothing else, it's a flooded forest. You can kayak among this and other lovely bayou environments," reports a regular visitor to Airpark North Campground.
What campers like
Unique lake environment: The flooded forest ecosystem distinguishes Reelfoot from other camping destinations. "Parts of the tour feel like you are in a cypress swamp, not a lake," mentioned a visitor describing their experience at South Campground.
Spacious camping layouts: Many campers appreciate the thoughtful site arrangement. "The campground was laid out well in the fact that you didn't feel crowded at all, even when there were lots of campers," noted one visitor to South Campground.
Welcoming hospitality: Small gestures make a difference at some RV parks. A visitor to Coyote View RV Park mentioned, "Got an goodie bag with waters, coozies, and local information in a cute little paper bag...just like at some hotels! We were escorted to our site."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Site selection matters depending on when you visit. "From what we could see the campsites appeared flooded and a lot of construction," reported one visitor attempting to stay at Reelfoot Lake State Park.
Bathroom and shower facilities vary: Not all facilities remain operational year-round. "At the time of this review the bathrooms between sites 64 & 66 were closed. The bathrooms and showers near site 23 are bigger and more accessible," noted one South Campground visitor.
Mosquito preparation essential: Insect activity can be intense, particularly in warmer months. At South Campground, one camper warned, "Mosquitoes were the big downfall. Just be prepared. We put up a screen tent as well as having bug spray."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children aged 5-12, certain campgrounds offer appropriate recreational facilities. A visitor to South Campground mentioned it had "a simple but age appropriate playground (ages 5-12), and many spots with views of the lake."
Restaurant proximity: Dining options within walking distance provide convenient alternatives to cooking. "We did choose one night to go to the resort restaurant (a fish house) next door to the campground (a quick walk even with small children)," shared a family staying at South Campground.
Pet-friendly options: Many facilities welcome four-legged family members. "Lots of campers with dogs," observed one visitor to Lady Luck Casino RV Park, where "our dogs got to chase rabbits and walk along the river."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Some sites require additional equipment for comfort. At Coyote View RV Park, an RVer in a 30-foot Class C noted, "It wasn't completely level, but had we needed to stay longer we would have leveled ourselves."
Repair services available: For mechanical issues, certain parks offer on-site assistance. "If your RV needs service, CAMP HERE!" emphasized one reviewer about Coyote View RV Park. "We were on a cross country journey when our slide suddenly stopped working... [The owner] ended up having to go basically wire by wire to find out what was broken."
Campsite accessibility: Site selection impacts the ease of setup, particularly for larger RVs. At South Campground, "Site 43 has trees on both sides of the pad and, based on comments from another camper, can be difficult to back in a larger camper," according to a regular visitor to Hinton RV Park.
