Campgrounds and RV parks near Gosnell, AR

The main draws are river-corridor parks. At Fort Pillow State Park, the reconstructed Civil War fortifications and museum pair with lake fishing and hiking on the bluffs above the Mississippi. Trails thread through the historic site, and interpretive programs cover the 1864 battle. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers a wider activity mix across roughly 12,539 acres of bottomland hardwood forest. Options include hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddling, and wildlife viewing on more than 20 miles of trails. Poplar Tree Lake provides fishing and boat rentals, and the park's 36-hole disc golf course, split into two 18-hole layouts, is a signature draw. Closer to Gosnell, Century Casino and RV Park adds gaming and dining for adults, while downtown Memphis is within day-trip range for BBQ, Beale Street, and Graceland.

Spring and fall are the prime RV windows in the Gosnell area. Spring brings mild temperatures and increased rainfall, with frequent thunderstorms and occasional severe weather including tornadoes. Travelers should watch NWS Memphis outlooks closely from March into May, when severe-weather setups are most common across the Arkansas Delta, and May is typically the wettest month. Summer camping is possible but hot. Afternoon highs frequently reach the low 90s Fahrenheit with high humidity and afternoon or evening thunderstorms. Full-hookup sites with 50-amp service become the priority for running air conditioning, and shaded sites at Meeman-Shelby Forest or Fort Pillow help. Fall is generally the most comfortable stretch, with cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and more stable weather patterns. Winter camping is workable along the river, though rainfall stays high and cold snaps into the teens Fahrenheit do occur. Meeman-Shelby Forest is open year-round, with reservations available up to one year in advance and a maximum stay extended to 28 nights from December 1 through the end of February.

Sites near Gosnell skew practical rather than scenic: level gravel or paved pads, full or partial hookups, and easy interstate access. At Meeman-Shelby Forest, the campground has 49 sites, each equipped with a table, grill, and electric and water hookups; several sites also have sewer, and a dump station serves rigs without hookups. A modern bathhouse provides hot showers. RV length limits vary by site, with most sites accommodating around 30 feet and a smaller number up to 45 feet, so big rigs should reserve ahead. Fort Pillow's Family Campground has fifteen sites with 20, 30, and 50-amp electrical and water hookups; site lengths vary, and some accommodate rigs up to 60 feet. Nine primitive sites and a backcountry site round out the options. The campground is trashcan-free, with a dump station, dumpster, and gray and black water station at the entrance. Tennessee State Parks ask that all campfires use heat-treated wood or downed wood collected inside the park, so plan to buy certified firewood on-site rather than hauling your own.