Hernando Point Campground

For Mississippi locals seeking a convenient and well-equipped spot to enjoy the great outdoors, Hernando Point Campground in Hernando presents a compelling option. Situated within easy reach of urban centers yet offering a refreshing escape, this campground caters primarily to RV and camper enthusiasts, while also welcoming tent campers. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and factual overview of Hernando Point Campground, covering its location, services, features, and why it stands out as a suitable choice for those in the Magnolia State looking for their next camping adventure.

Choosing the right campground is essential for a memorable outdoor experience. Understanding the amenities, the environment, and the accessibility of a location can significantly enhance your trip. Hernando Point Campground, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offers a structured yet relaxing environment. While Arkabutla Lake, its primary draw, is currently undergoing dam repairs and the lake views may be different than expected, the campground continues to provide a valuable base for exploring the surrounding natural beauty and enjoying time away from the everyday. We’ll delve into the specifics to help you determine if Hernando Point Campground is the perfect fit for your next Mississippi outdoor excursion.

Hernando Point Campground is strategically located on Wheeler Rd, Hernando, MS 38632, USA. This placement positions it conveniently within DeSoto County, making it highly accessible for residents across Mississippi and neighboring states. The campground is part of the larger recreational area around Arkabutla Lake, a key flood control lake in northern Mississippi managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The accessibility of Hernando Point Campground is a significant advantage for local users. Being just a short drive from the city of Hernando means easy access to essential services, grocery stores, and local attractions. For those traveling from larger metropolitan areas, the campground is approximately a 30 to 45-minute drive south of Memphis, Tennessee, offering a readily available escape for weekend trips or extended stays without a long journey. Its proximity to major roadways ensures a relatively straightforward drive to and from the site. While the lake itself is undergoing dam repairs, which affects the immediate waterfront views and activities, the location still provides access to the broader Arkabutla Lake area, known for its extensive land-based recreational opportunities. This blend of rural tranquility and urban accessibility makes Hernando Point Campground a practical and attractive choice for a wide range of campers.

Hernando Point Campground provides a solid array of services to ensure a comfortable and convenient camping experience for its visitors. While it is particularly well-suited for RVs and campers, tent campers will also find essential amenities available.

• Spacious Paved Sites with Hookups: The campground features large, clearly marked, and nearly level paved sites. Many of these sites offer water and electric hookups, making them ideal for RVs and campers. This provision of utilities enhances the comfort level, particularly for longer stays.
• Separate Bathrooms and Shower Rooms: Facilities include dedicated bathrooms and separate shower rooms. While some reviews mention these facilities being "a bit old school" or "a little run down," they are generally reported as clean and functional. The availability of these facilities is crucial for all campers.
• Concrete Picnic Tables: Many campsites are equipped with sturdy concrete picnic tables, some on concrete slabs, providing a durable and clean surface for outdoor dining and activities.
• Cleanliness and Maintenance: Despite some facilities being older, the sites themselves are frequently noted as clean and well-maintained. This attention to tidiness contributes significantly to a pleasant camping experience.
• Water at Every Spot: All spots are equipped with water access, a key convenience for both RV and tent campers for drinking, cooking, and basic washing needs.

Hernando Point Campground boasts several features that enhance the camping experience, even with the current state of Arkabutla Lake due to dam repairs.

• RV-Friendly Design: The campground is explicitly noted as favoring RVs and campers, with large, open, and paved sites that are easy to maneuver and set up in. This makes it an excellent choice for those traveling with larger recreational vehicles.
• Quiet Environment (Generally): While spaces might not be "super far apart," leading to awareness of neighbors' activities, the overall atmosphere is generally peaceful, especially considering its accessible location. It offers a sense of getting away without being completely isolated.
• Proximity to Arkabutla Lake Area: Even with the lake temporarily drained for dam repairs, the campground provides direct access to the broader Arkabutla Lake recreational area. This means opportunities for exploring the valley, which is slowly greening, and imagining the lake's future return. The general area is still rich in outdoor possibilities.
• Good Base for Local Exploration: Its location near Hernando and relative proximity to Memphis makes it a fantastic base for day trips. Campers can enjoy the quiet of the campground and then easily venture out for urban sightseeing, dining, or shopping.
• Nearby Hiking Trails and Playgrounds: The area surrounding the campground offers various recreational amenities, including hiking trails for exploration and playgrounds for younger visitors. These features add value for families and active individuals.
• Managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Being managed by the Corps of Engineers often means a certain standard of structure and organization, providing a reliable framework for park operations.

As a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed campground, Hernando Point Campground typically follows federal recreation fee schedules. Specific promotional offers or seasonal discounts, like those sometimes seen at privately owned campgrounds, are not generally advertised or common. However, visitors who hold specific federal recreation passes may be eligible for reduced rates on their campsites. These passes include:

• The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
• The Senior Pass (for U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or over)
• The Access Pass (for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities)
• The Military Pass

Prospective campers are highly encouraged to visit the official Recreation.gov website for Hernando Point Campground or to contact the Arkabutla Lake Field Office directly. This will provide the most current and accurate information regarding fees, reservation policies, and any potential discounts that might apply to your stay. Due to the popularity of these sites, especially during peak seasons, making reservations well in advance is always recommended.

For inquiries, reservations, or more detailed information about Hernando Point Campground, you can typically use the contact information associated with the Arkabutla Lake Field Office, as they oversee the recreation areas in the vicinity.

Address: Wheeler Rd, Hernando, MS 38632, USA

While a direct phone number for Hernando Point Campground itself isn't commonly listed separately from the main Arkabutla Lake office, the general number for Arkabutla Lake recreation areas managed by the Corps of Engineers is often (662) 562-6261. This number should be able to direct your inquiry appropriately.

It is always recommended to check the Recreation.gov website for the most up-to-date information and to make online reservations, as this is the primary portal for many federal campgrounds.

Hernando Point Campground offers a compelling and practical choice for locals in Mississippi seeking an accessible and comfortable outdoor experience. Its primary suitability for residents lies in its convenient location in Hernando, providing a refreshing escape into nature without requiring extensive travel from major population centers in northern Mississippi and the greater Memphis area.

The campground’s design, with spacious, paved, and well-marked sites offering essential water and electric hookups, makes it particularly attractive for RV and camper owners. This level of amenity ensures a comfortable stay, even for longer durations. While the immediate views of Arkabutla Lake are currently altered due to dam repairs, offering a "slowly greening valley" instead of a full lake, this doesn't diminish the overall peaceful atmosphere and the potential for future enjoyment once the lake is restored. Furthermore, the presence of clean and functional, albeit older, bath and shower facilities adds to the comfort for all types of campers.

Beyond the physical amenities, Hernando Point provides a valuable base for local exploration. Its proximity to Hernando means easy access to town for supplies, and its short distance from Memphis allows for combining a natural retreat with urban excursions. The availability of nearby hiking trails and playgrounds ensures there are activities for families and active individuals right at their fingertips. Despite the current lake situation and the occasional awareness of neighbors, the campground offers a generally quiet and well-maintained environment. For Mississippians looking for a convenient, amenity-rich, and family-friendly camping spot that serves as a gateway to both natural beauty and urban accessibility, Hernando Point Campground remains a solid and suitable choice.