We need good camping places, Mississippi river valley

[lynnsr]

We are making a trip south in the spring, I would like some ideas for good camping areas along the Mississippi River Valley, from Missouri to New Orleans/ Pensacola, Florida.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Lynn & Joan

TV: 2003 GMC 2500
2017 VW Touareg

[pfcardwell]

Off of Hwy 55. Hawn State Park Campground, Ste Genevieve, Missouri 63670
Is a great spot to camp and hike. Just south of St. Louis. Close to some winery's also.

[1973Argosy]

Silver Slipper Casino RV park Waveland, Ms. Park is about a half mile from the casino right on the Gulf of Mexico. It's about 45 minutes east of New Orleans. Park has no amenities other than full hook ups and an awesome view. Plenty of night life/resturants/supplies with in a short drive. Sites 12 and 25 are my personal favorites as they offer the most privacy and most unobstructed views of the gulf. Site 12 first picture, 25 2nd picture.

[Piggy Bank]

In the Kansas City metro area. Weston Bend State Park. (kind of a small park so you need to reserve early)

Or if full not far away is Lewis and Clark state park-close to Aitchison KS.

Both are on the Missouri River.

Weston is prettier and near the town of Weston which is a cute little town with an Irish pub, some good BBQ, and little shops. Gorgeous Catholic church on the bluffs. Campground has a dog park,hiking trails, and is treed.

Electric only. Water fill available and dump station on site. Clean bathrooms.

[m.hony]

In Mississippi along the I-55 corridor you have very nice Corps of Engineers parks at Enid and Grenada.
Persimmon Hill Campground at Enid and The North Abutment Campground at Grenada are top notch.
There are other nice, but more expensive privately owned campgrounds closer to I-55 like EZ Daze RV Park at Southaven and Frog Hollow Campground at Grenada.
If your destination is a lake view, sunset, sunrise, building a campfire, and cooking out, go for the Corps parks.
If your idea is to just sleep and never unhook from the truck go for the privately owned RV parks.

[Rocinante]

Check out Missouri's own Trail of Tears State Park just north of Cape Girardeau, MO, and outside Fruitland, MO. They have two campgrounds, and one of them is right down on the Mississippi River. We're there right now, watching river traffic go by. Be warned, though, there will be the occasional freight train running between you and the river. When they go by, they are noisy because there is a grade crossing here in the park that allows folks to get to a boat ramp. Lots of whistle blowing when the trains thunder by. Still, a very nice place to camp.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by pfcardwell

Off of Hwy 55. Hawn State Park Campground, Ste Genevieve, Missouri 63670
Is a great spot to camp and hike. Just south of St. Louis. Close to some winery's also.

Yep it's a very nice quiet park during the week. Here's our picture.

Jack

[lynnsr]

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

In the Kansas City metro area. Weston Bend State Park. (kind of a small park so you need to reserve early)

Or if full not far away is Lewis and Clark state park-close to Aitchison KS.

Both are on the Missouri River.

Weston is prettier and near the town of Weston which is a cute little town with an Irish pub, some good BBQ, and little shops. Gorgeous Catholic church on the bluffs. Campground has a dog park,hiking trails, and is treed.

Electric only. Water fill available and dump station on site. Clean bathrooms.

Piggy Bank, growing up memories, grew up just north of Kansas City, Weatherby Lake area and had businesses in Parkville and St Joseph. Flew touch and go's out of Atchison Kansas airport. Have not camped in either the sites you mentioned will try to do so in the future. Normally camp at Smithville lake when we're in town.
Thanks for the memories

[demijac]

Try Tom Sawyer's. Not fancy but awesome views and clean shower facilities.

[dmbecke]

Try Pierre Marquette state park by Alton Illinois

[lynnsr]

Originally Posted by demijac

Try Tom Sawyer's. Not fancy but awesome views and clean shower facilities.

Thanks demijac, it's on our list and we have stayed there before and enjoyed the Mississippi river traffic

[m.hony]

If you overnight in northern Mississippi let me know.
I have courtesy parking with 50 amp electric, water, and sewer in my front yard in Greenwood, MS.
Also, if you stay close by we can camp at the same campground and shake hands.
The least I can do is tell you the best restaurants, sightseeing, and museums in the area you stay.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by lynnsr

We are making a trip south in the spring, I would like some ideas for good camping areas along the Mississippi River Valley, from Missouri to New Orleans/ Pensacola, Florida.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Lynn & Joan

TV: 2003 GMC 2500
2017 VW Touareg

Bayou Segnette SP in Algiers is a good option if you are going to NOLA, also the French Quarter RV Park...the latter being expensive, but very nice and very secure, and allows one to easily walk or cab into/out of the Quarter.

Davis Bayou campground of Gulf Islands National Seashore near Ocean Springs is very pretty, and a favorite of mine.

Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

Bayou Segnette SP in Algiers

Actually in Westwego, but that's a minor correction. It's a great park. I've been there once before, and the Louisiana Airstream Club is holding its Christmas Rally there from December 7th to 11th.

There are two other Louisiana State Parks you might consider:
Lake Bruin State Park, on a beautiful oxbow lake near St. Joseph, LA; and
Poverty Point State Park, at the very northeastern corner of Louisiana.

If you come down I-55, you've got four Mississippi State Parks you might consider:
George Payne Cossar SP, (on Enid Lake) between Grenada and Batesville;
Lake Lincoln SP, just a bit north of Brookhaven;
Percy Quin SP near McComb; and
Buccaneer SP, near Waveland.

Lake Chicot SP in Arkansas (not to be confused with Chicot State Park in Louisiana) is the only one on my recommendation list that I haven't personally stayed at (so far), but it's on my "must-visit" list for the future, and was highly recommended to me.

[m.hony]

I agree with Protagonist on Poverty Point in Delhi, LA, but...
The Corps parks along the I-55 corridor in Mississippi are just better.
Longer level pads with electric, water, and sewer closer to the Trailer and in general better state of repair.
Persimmon Hill rather than George Payne Cossar on Enid Lake.
I used to love George Payne Cossar, but staff changes, budget cuts, and layoffs have changed it to the point I won’t go back. It was our favorite destination for years. What a shame.
If you go to Buccaneer, be sure to get on the outside of the loop or get on the very back loop. The sites on the inside loop are too close together and the trailers aren’t 10 feet from each other.
Percy Quinn has short, unlevel pads- typical of state parks in Mississippi where the parks were built in the days of 20’ campers.

[Silver Harr]

Originally Posted by m.hony

If you overnight in northern Mississippi let me know.
I have courtesy parking with 50 amp electric, water, and sewer in my front yard in Greenwood, MS.
Also, if you stay close by we can camp at the same campground and shake hands.
The least I can do is tell you the best restaurants, sightseeing, and museums in the area you stay.

How is the weather in early January?

[m.hony]

Sometimes mild.
Night time temps in the 30’s-40’s-
Daytime temps from 40’s-60’s-
Could be rainy, though.
Sometimes cold.
February seems to be the coldest month.
We seldom ever see below freezing temps for very long.
Last snow was 1/4” in March 2015.

[Silver Harr]

Thanks, we will be traveling to Panama City beach. Plan to be there Jan 5. Would your area be a good stop over spot?

[m.hony]

Yes, if you are traveling on I-55.
I could answer better if I knew your route.

[Silver Harr]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Yes, if you are traveling on I-55.
I could answer better if I knew your route.

Have not planned the route, would apreciate suggestions
Larry