Four miles from the Natchez Trace Parkway, Davis Lake Campground spreads across the eastern shore of a 200-acre lake within Tombigbee National Forest. The Forest Service facility accommodates RVs up to 45 feet with 50-amp electric and water hookups, though some sites run shorter and require advance research for longer rigs. Fourteen sites sit directly on the waterfront, while the remaining spots require only a brief walk to reach the lake.
Most campers arrive for fishing and swimming access. The lake maintains a muddy brown color year-round, and the designated swimming area features a sandy bottom with concrete steps, though Bruce F. notes the steps can be slippery and recommends aquatic footwear due to mussel shells. A fishing pier extends into the water, and boat launches provide access for anglers targeting the lake's fish population. Wildlife watching draws visitors as well, with great blue herons, various bird species, and squirrels commonly spotted around the sites.
The campground maintains clean facilities during peak season, with Bruce F. describing "bathrooms were A+++ clean" and noting laundry availability. A camp host stays on-site and typically checks in with new arrivals. Sites include picnic tables, fire pits, and level parking areas, with many featuring good shade coverage. Cell service reaches the campground but can slow during busy periods.
Access requires navigating four miles of forest roads that can become rough in poor weather conditions. The campground operates year-round with rates from $20-40 per night, and reservations help secure waterfront sites that fill quickly on weekends. Supplies are available in nearby Houlka, four miles away, while Pontotoc offers more extensive provisioning options. The location serves as a convenient base for exploring campsites near New Houlka or accessing the Tanglefoot Trail that runs through the area.
Description
Overview
Davis Lake Recreation Area is home to beautiful Davis Lake, Campground and Day Use Area, popular for all kinds of recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, boating, birding and wildlife viewing. The surrounding scenic forests make Davis Lake a picturesque place to spend quality time outdoors.
Recreation
Davis Lake covers 200 acres and provides multiple recreational opportunities. A grassy swimming beach is situated on the shore, where many anglers cast for largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish and bream. The campground has 27 sites on the lake, many of them with space to anchor a boat. A 2-mile trail wanders along the north edge of the lake to several earthen fishing piers. Visitors can also spend time birding, watching for a variety of geese and ducks that migrate through the area. Hawks, herons, bluebirds and doves are also plentiful, among many other species. Wildlife viewing is also available, as foxes and bobcats call the area home. The Chickasaw OHV Trail is a newly renovated 12-mile motorized trail that is within three miles of the campground. The trailhead lies between the Davis Lake recreation area and the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is within a mile of the Owl Creek Mounds archaeological interpretive site. The OHV trail is open between April 1 and Oct. 31. The trail accommodates off-road vehicles 48-inches in width or less. Cyclists and hikers will enjoy the Tanglefoot Trail. This multiple-use Rails-to-Trails path is located 5 miles west of Davis Lake. It runs 43.5 miles from Houston to New Albany, MS through Houlka, Algoma, Pontotoc, Ecru, and Ingomar.
Facilities
The recreation area offers more than two dozen campsites, a picnic area, a group shelter, accessible flush toilet facilities and a dump station. Davis Lake has multiple fishing docks, including some that are accessible.Campsites are equipped with tables, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills. Drinking water is provided. Campsites have electric and water hook ups. There are no sites with sewage hook up; however, there is a dump station located near the front entrance.A picnic shelter can also be reserved on-site, for an additional $40 per day fee.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a hilly, mixed hardwood and pine forest that stretches along the eastern shore of the lake. It is located within 4 miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and 10,000 years of North American history.
Nearby Attractions
The recreation area is located 21 miles south of Tupelo, Mississippi, and 12 miles north of Houston.The Owl Creek Mounds, an archaeological interpretive site containing Native American ruins, is located half a mile south on the paved road (heading towards the Natchez Trace exit).The Witchdance Horsetrail is an 18-mile horseback riding trail that can be accessed from both the Payamatha Trailhead (on Highway 32, west of the Natchez Trace and east of Highway 15), or the Witchdance trailhead, that lies on the Natchez Trace Parkway (approximately 5 miles east of Houston).
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (662) 285-3264.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations may occur during severe weather events.
Fee Info
Please note an additional $6 utility fee will be added to the $14 daily rate for single family campsites (Total: $20/night) Shelter GS1+ costs: $40 if less than 50 people. $80 if more than 50 peopleEach vehicle using the rented pavilion is required to pay the day use fee of $5, this includes the renter of the pavilion. Exact fare; no change given for camping or day use payment methods.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundDavis Lake Campground is located in Mississippi
Directions
From Tupelo, drive 17 miles south on the Natchez Trace Parkway to the Davis Lake Recreation Area Exit at milepost 243. Turn right on Davis Lake Road and continue 4 miles to the campground. 859 CR 124 Houlka, MS 38850
Coordinates
34.0472222 N
88.9388889 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 55 min from Memphis, TN
- 2 hrs 4 min from Florence, AL
- 2 hrs 17 min from Jackson, TN
- 2 hrs 28 min from Tuscaloosa, AL

























