Tom Sawyer Campground

[kswelsh]

Hi All,
I'm planning a spring trip to Memphis and read that Tom Sawyer Campground might be a good option. However, I also know it is in West Memphis, AK which might be a little like East St. Louis, ILL. I'd like your thoughts on this campground and then about the surrounding area as far as safety. Thanks!

[damonbeals]

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Reviews of RV Parks and Campgrounds - RV Park Reviews

Tom Sawyer's Mississippi River Park :: West Memphis, Arkansas :: RV Park Reviews

Damon
#4827

[DKB_SATX]

We stayed at Tom Sawyer for 4 days mid-December 2013, we were meeting up with friends from eastern TN and they've stayed there several times before.

It's a well-maintained park on a huge bend in the Mississippi, and it's fun to watch/hear the barge traffic navigating the turn. It's not a great bargain, but we'd definitely stay there again if we were in the area. They have clean 1-person bathrooms and free washers and dryers for guests, as well as full hookups.

It's about 3 miles by the road from the eastern intersection of I40 and I55, which is a big collection of truckstops. You drive near a scruffy neighborhood, but that's on the other side of the road the park is actually on the river side of the levee, with no foot or road traffic passing through or all that near it.

There's a section of the park that appears to be long-term rentals, but I think it's mostly people who use the trailers parked there for weekend getaways rather than living there. It's quite separate from the travelers' sections of the park.

We didn't feel unsafe at any point, there simply weren't any people in/near the park who weren't staying there, and no one loitering on the route from I55 to the park. Of course there's the usual cast of characters around the truck stops themselves, but that's 3 miles from the park and normal for truckstops.

It's pretty convenient to get into Memphis on either I55 or I40.

[Goal15]

We stopped at Tom Sawyer on our way to Kentucky in October. We arrived after dark after being caught in huge traffic jam eastbound on I-40. I called and wanted to make sure we would be able to check-in and was told to come on.

When we got there, park attendant was waiting at the office, got us checked in, then led us down to the campsite with golf cart so we could see where we needed to be.

David is right, it's not the cheapest place but if you find the Memphis area is a place you need to stop on the way to some place, I wouldn't hesitate in stopping again. We were right on the bank of the river and thought perhaps the tug/barge traffic might be noisy but it wasn't and it was fun to get up in the morning and see the river and some workboats and barges going by.

I won't recount the how to get there as David has done that, but really wasn't hard to find.

On our way back, we drove another hour west of Memphis and stayed at Village Creek State Park which is about 13 miles north of I-40. We are thinking that it will be our new halfway stop for trips to KY, both ways. A beautiful park with nice campgrounds, golf course, tennis courts.... nice shower/restroom facilities and almost all campsites nicely shaded.

But would definitely give Tom Sawyer a thumbs up if you need to stay closer to Memphis.

Dana

[m.hony]

The only reason we didn't stay at Tom Sawyer in May/June 2013 is location- that will work out great for you, coming from Missouri to the northwest-
Coming from Mississippi, we wanted to be on the south side so we stayed at EZ Daze in Southhaven-
I have heard only good reviews of Tom Sawyer.

[SmokelessJoe]

In addition to all that has been said here I remember the place as particularly spacious, and the front office being very warm and friendly.

I was there for several days in a wind-swept December week so maybe that is why the spaciousness.

The park is on a flood plain so subject to closure and clean up when the Mighty Mississippi overflows her banks.

The barge traffic night and day right past your door is enchanting, even though the earth throbs to the sound of the powerful diesel engines.

Sergei

[RangerJay]

If you like to interact with the water on your road-trips then to miss Tom Sawyer park is to miss a lot - lots of fun - and very relaxing watching the barges slip by at the end of the day (martini in hand .....).

Great place.


Jay

[pmclemore]

We stayed an overnight several years ago and would do so again.

Be sure to follow campground directions, rather than GPS, though, if you have a long trailer. We were close to high-centering when we had to cross the tracks. We had no such problem on the way out, as we chose the correct route.

Pat

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by RangerJay

If you like to interact with the water on your road-trips then to miss Tom Sawyer park is to miss a lot - lots of fun - and very relaxing watching the barges slip by at the end of the day (martini in hand .....).

Great place.


Jay

Is that your rig in the picture?
Are you pulling with that black Pathfinder?
I have a black Pathfinder. I might have pulled a Bambi with it, but I don't believe it will handle my 30'.

[RangerJay]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Is that your rig in the picture?
Are you pulling with that black Pathfinder?
I have a black Pathfinder. I might have pulled a Bambi with it, but I don't believe it will handle my 30'.

Yes - that 03 Pathfinder pulled the Bambi for 1/3 of the miles we put on it - we still have the Bambi but it is now pulled by an 09 Pathfinder.

We usually take our long road-trips in the fall - and - similar to the picture - we are pretty much always the little kid on the block .....


Jay

[m.hony]

The essential difference between my 99 Pathfinder and the 03 is engine and horsepower- I have the 3.3 and the 03 had the 3.5.
Is your 09 the 5.6 V8 or a V6?
In 20/20 hindsight I wonder if I should have bought a smaller trailer and pulled it with my Pathfinder-
A day late and a dollar short and a moot point after purchasing a $30,000 truck and a $97,000 trailer...
I have seen your posts before- I remember "The Toaster" and "The Buggy".
Water under the bridge, spilled milk, and all that-

[Pahaska]

I have stayed there and would stay there again. Very friendly people. I did not find the area daunting; in fact, we found a great restaurant close to the RV park.

Fun watching the river traffic. No strain at all getting across the river to Memphis.

[kswelsh]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

I have stayed there and would stay there again. Very friendly people. I did not find the area daunting; in fact, we found a great restaurant close to the RV park.

Fun watching the river traffic. No strain at all getting across the river to Memphis.

Pahaska, Do you remember the name of the restaurant? Thanks!

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by kswelsh

Pahaska, Do you remember the name of the restaurant? Thanks!

Wish I could remember it. It was about 5 years ago when we visited Graceland. It was a Mexican restaurant on a corner is all I can remember. Really nice folks ran it.

[xrvr]

Is Tom Sawyer near the koa? Jim

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

Is Tom Sawyer near the koa? Jim

No. The KOA is probably at least 5 miles north on the interstate. I have stayed there twice. Nice park.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

Wish I could remember it. It was about 5 years ago when we visited Graceland. It was a Mexican restaurant on a corner is all I can remember. Really nice folks ran it.

I saw a Mexican restaurant just outside the cluster of truckstops on the way to Tom Sawyer, called Pancho's. Having spent a fair amount of my life in south and central Texas, I was somewhat suspicious of a Mexican restaurant in NE Arkansas.

On the topic of food that's close to Tom Sawyer, however, we DID go to a restaurant we really enjoyed in Memphis, called Rizzo's Diner. I had seen it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and it's just across the I-55 bridge. It's a short walk from the National Civil Rights Museum complex.

[willapus]

Pancho's cheese drip is great and a staple at many cook outs across Memphis. You can get it a most grocery stores. Everything else is nothing to post about. I haven't tried Rizzo's yet, but I'll be on my list other the next week or two. A couple of great downtown eateries are Cozy Corner, also featured on dinners drive-ins and drives and Gus's fried chicken. If you are near Sun records, and near my studio, the trolley stop and Arepas and Salsa are good. The BBQ shop in midtown is my favorite.

Village creek is nice and I haven't stayed at Tom Sawyer, it's too close to home. If you need any local help or advice you can pm me.

[SmokelessJoe]

The best place to eat in Memphis is 85 miles away, in Oxford, Mississippi: City Grocery.

Well, maybe the Germantown Commissary serves good ribs in a homey way, something like Dreamland, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama does. Neither can hold a candle to PAPPY'S SMOKEHOUSE in St. Louis, MO.

Just sayin .....



Sergei

[willapus]

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

The best place to eat in Memphis is 85 miles away, in Oxford, Mississippi: City Grocery. Well, maybe the Germantown Commissary serves good ribs in a homey way, something like Dreamland, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama does. Neither can hold a candle to PAPPY'S SMOKEHOUSE in St. Louis, MO. Just sayin ..... Sergei

We'll maybe if you had said New Orleans, I'd understand. Been to both City Grocery and the G'town Commissary and they are good not the best, but solid. I look forward to trying the other two.

Cheers.