The Mississippi River flows through the heart of America, and the Great River Road follows this iconic route from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. If you’re planning a camping trip along the Mississippi, you’re in luck—you’ll find great campsites all along the country’s most famous river.
Here’s a state-by-state look at some of the Mississippi River’s best campsites, going from north to south along the river.
Itasca State Park, Minnesota
If you’re starting a trip along the Mississippi River, it makes sense to start at the source of the river itself. The Mississippi River starts as a slow, shallow flow out of Lake Itasca in far northern Minnesota, and you can see the headwaters (and even dip your toes in the warmer months) at Itasca State Park, Minnesota’s oldest state park, which is also home to nearly 50 miles (80km) of hiking trails, hundreds of campsites, historic lodges, and lots of waterways to explore.
Number of campsites: 200+; cabins & suites are also available
Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin
Head a little farther down the Mississippi River and you’ll find Wyalusing State Park, which sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers in southwestern Wisconsin. Wyalusing State Park is one of the state’s oldest state parks and offers outstanding views from the 500-foot (150m) bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and its backwaters.
Number of campsites: 100+
Pere Marquette State Park, Illinois
Illinois’ largest state park can be found just north of St. Louis (on the other side of the river) at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. It’s a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and boating—and don’t miss the stunning views of the Illinois River from the trails and overlooks.
Number of campsites: 80+; lodging is also available at the Pere Marquette Lodge
Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tennessee
Reelfoot Lake is a popular fishing lake in northwestern Tennessee with a unique history: it’s actually a flooded cypress forest that was submerged during a series of earthquakes along the Mississippi River in the early 1800s. These days, Reelfoot Lake is a go-to spot for anglers and birdwatchers, and the park’s nature center features educational exhibits about local wildlife (including live raptors and other animals).
Number of campsites: 100+; premium cabins are also available
Mississippi River State Park, Arkansas
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in central Arkansas, this scenic state park offers great opportunities for paddlers to explore the Mississippi River and its backwaters. Mississippi River State Park is also a good spot for fishing, especially for largemouth bass, crappies, and channel catfish. Wildlife viewing is another popular pastime at the park—it’s part of the Audubon Great River Birding Trail.
Number of campsites: 50+
Bob M. Dearing State Natchez State Park, Mississippi
This park covers 48,000 acres (195 square km) just east of the historic city of Natchez in southwestern Mississippi and is a good spot for fishing—the state’s record largemouth bass was caught here on Natchez Lake—and is also home to a nine-hole disc golf course, a playground, a nature trail, picnic sites, and a pavilion.
Number of campsites: 60+; vacation cabins also available
Bayou Segnette State Park, Louisiana
While it’s not technically on the Mississippi River (it’s a 15-minute drive south of New Orleans across the river), Bayou Segnette State Park boasts fantastic opportunities for aquatic and land-based activities, including salt and freshwater fishing, boating, paddling, hiking, and camping. It’s also got a wave pool, a 3-mile (5km) nature trail, and playgrounds
Number of campsites: ~100; deluxe cabins also available
