Often called " pointless , " " strange , " and " the expert , " encampment is an activeness that many enjoy but in which few are well - verse . And the only room to become a virtuoso at something is to practise it for 10,000 hr ( probably ) . This mean you absolutely should get out of Memphis and try out these nine spots . Take your pickaxe from nearby Shelby Forest , Mississippi , Alabama , and our most beautiful neighbor , Arkansas . Whether you are in pauperism of a primitive , cloistered campsite , or prefer glamping , we have youcovered … like a tent . We ’re so dreary .

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

length from Memphis : 13 miles , 20 minutesIf you need to get yourself in a collapsible shelter within the hour , this is the place . Meeman - Shelby Forest State Park is a 13,476 - acre hardwood bottom area butt against the mighty Mississippi River 13 miles north of Memphis , and featuring a ripe bald cypress tree and tupelo swampland . Most of the facilities are on top of the majestic Chickasaw Bluffs that rise from the bottom and are cover with large oak , American beech , hickory , and sweetgum . The ballpark camping ground has 49 bivouac , each equipped with a board , grill , electrical energy , and water hookups . A forward-looking bathhouse provide spicy showers and there is a dump place for self - turn back trailer rigs . There are also six two - sleeping room standard cabin situate along the shoreline of Poplar Tree Lake in a heavily wooded section of the park .

Tishomingo State Park

Distance from Memphis : 131 nautical mile , two hr and 25 minutesThis is an specially great place to block if you ’re traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway . Tishomingo offers a unique landscape of massive rock geological formation and fern - fill crevices found nowhere else in Mississippi . Massive boulders blanket in moss dot the hillsides , and colourful wild flower border trails once walk by Native Americans . There are 62 received campsites and seven cabin uncommitted . Amenities include a bagnio / toilet facility , a dump station , spicy shower , and laundry .

Southfork Resort

length from Memphis : 134 miles , two hour 14 minutesLooking for a more personal touch ? On the South Fork of the Spring River in the Arkansas Ozarks near Hardy , AR , Southfork Resort is clean , well - position , and hunt down by first-rate - gracious folks . There are camping site and air conditioned cabin simple foot aside from the river with no nearby train noise . Campsites come equipped with picnic tables and fervidness nether region . galvanising hookup are also usable . The bathhouse let in red-hot showers and electricity . Canoes , kayaks , and tube head trip are all uncommitted , plus there ’s great sportfishing nearby .

Sylamore Creek Camp

aloofness from Memphis : 156 miles , three hoursLocated rightfield on the banks of the Sylamore Creek ( swimming ! ) , with the tall bluffs ( cliff jumping ! ) of the Ozark National Forest on the other side , Sylamore Creek Camp is five mi northward of Mountain View and seven mi from Blanchard Springs Cavern . The clique offers campsite , RV sites , and comfortable cabin getaways . There ’s even a summercater field and open - air travel pavilion , plus an indoor diversion elbow room ( Ping River niff and pool , a sofa , chair , and a big - CRT screen tv set ) and exercise room . For reservations or extra information , call 870.585.2326 or , toll - free , 877.475.4223 .

Blanchard Springs

aloofness from Memphis : 165 miles , three hour 18 minutesBlanchard Springs has 31 campsites that let in grills and table . There are no equestrian bivouac or RV hookups , but there is a wasteland station with drinkable water . The campground is in a beautiful spot nestled in the Ozark National Forest just minutes from all sorts of fun clobber to do . Camping , caving , biking , hiking , swimming , birding , and sightseeing are available to Blanchard visitors . The campground ’s elevation is 400 ft and composed of one loop topology and a spur . There ’s also the Blanchard Springs Caverns , a spectacular “ living ” cave – it ’s a must - see . Then , in the same recreation domain , there is the walkway to Blanchard Springs – a wonderful spectacle of water system pour out of the mountain side .

Dismals Canyon Conservatory

aloofness from Memphis : 168 miles , two hours 52 minutesDismals Canyon in northwestern Alabama is a National Natural Landmark . There are cabins , cloistered camping ground , and a country store . The primitive camping area at Dismals Canyon are scattered off the main way of life and given a wide-cut position . The bit of camping area is limited by design for asseverate the pristine nature of the internet site and to offer guests privacy . you’re able to not force back to any campsites – you must boost . Guided night tours take into account visitant to take in the glow - in - the - disconsolate creatures have intercourse locally as dismalites .

Catherine’s Landing

Distance from Memphis : 181 miles , three hoursThis Hot Springs resort is for glampers . It has collapsible shelter camping , RV situation , yurts , and resort cottages . It combines the tenting and hotel experience . There ’s a zipper - line , saltwater pools , a pontoon , kayak , and a poor campaign to spas . body of water from the springs can be gathered free of charge .

Petit Jean State Park

Distance from Memphis : 196 miles , three time of day five minutesA favorite of Memphians , Petit Jean is gorgeous with both easy and ambitious hike . There ’s lots of scenery , including an interesting organisation at the top of a tableland and a falls . The campgrounds boast a sum of 125 campsites ( include 26 pull - through sites ) . Thirty - five of the sites – the Class AAA internet site – have 30- and 50 - adenosine monophosphate electrical , water , and sewer hookups . The 90 Class B site offer 30 - adenosine monophosphate electrical and water assemblage . For those who do n’t own camping equipment , the commons offers four rent - a - yurts available year - circular . The yurts are rotund , high - palisade tent with electrical energy , screened windows , and door with locks . The letting include cots , a lantern , stove , and methamphetamine chest . Each yurt accommodate up to six persons . Call 501.727.5441 for more information or to make reservations .

Brady Mountain Campground

Distance from Memphis : 203 miles , three hours and 15 minutesBrady Mountain Campground put up mythical views and gas an idyllic placement on Arkansas ’s Lake Ouachita ( pictorial matter watch glass - unmortgaged piss and bountiful sportfishing opportunities , and mark off out the Geo - Float Trail ) . The lake stem from the Ouachita River and boasts 690 mi of shoreline with over 200 islands . Of the 74 camping site , 57 have electrical hookup . Other amenities include a dump place , a Pisces cleaning station , red-hot showers , a boat Allium tricoccum , a playground , and a swim beach . It sits just 10 knot west of Hot Springs National Park , where you could revel a traditional bathing tub or mod health club experience with the lifelike natural spring water .

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Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park|Zack Frank/Shutterstock

Tishomingo State Park

Tishomingo State Park|Jason Patrick Ross/shutterstock

Sylamore Creek Camp

Sylamore Creek Camp|Courtesy of Abigail Austin

blanchard springs

blanchard springs|flickr/tabman85

Dismals Canyon Conservatory

Dismals Canyon Conservatory (edited)

Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park