Howard Stafford Park Campground

1. Arrive before dark. Maps misdirected us and little Pontotoc has more traffic than you’d imagine. Woman who manages was just headed up to lock the gate at 530 and handed off keys to us for gate and showers. Our site was concrete pad with STEEP drop-offs both sides. Barely enough room to step out of our van and septic dump too far for hose to reach. Nice lake views in the morning, though, and a quiet night with two bars Verizon and a dozen OATV. But a key to the showers? Why? They looked third world, decrepit with layers of paint and mold and a rickety “bench” you’d best not sit on. Strictly a “must shower tonight or else” proposition for me. Could find no drop box for key in morning. Mgr seems to assume campground and protocols are familiar to all. But cheap and restful overnight.

We spent one night here while visiting friends in the area. We arrived an hour before the 3pm check-in time, our spot was still occupied. We pulled outside the gate to wait the hour. A park employee came to check on us, offered us another site (#18) that was open and we took it. Spot 18 needs work, it should not be considered a site even though it has full hook-up. It was a one way in, one way out…backing out the next day. There was no way to go forward out of the spot or turn around. The spot was unlevel gravel, not concrete, almost like the spot was an afterthought. We somehow managed to get backed out of the spot the next day, attaching our sway control in a level parking lot in the Park. Other than the spot not being ideal to get in/out of, the Park itself is beautiful. It sits on Pontotoc Lake. Fishing piers, boat ramp. There’s even a couple of splash pads! We would stay here again but ask for a different spot.

First things first- important to know that the gate to the campground locks at 8pm and even if you have a site reserved you can’t get in after. We arrived 7:57 to an agitated camp host even though we were unaware of this curfew as it’s not listed on the reservation confirmation/website. Also prices: it is advertised as $7 online for a tent, but there’s an additional $5 vehicle fee.

Tent site is a picnic table on a grassy hill by a lake, rather than a traditional delineated site. You are required to park your car in a different location from where you can camp (inconvenient as the path connecting the two areas is muddy and wet)- would recommend site T001 as it’s the closest to the lot. Site itself is well maintained, bathroom is functional and not the cutest but it does the job and showers are appreciated (no hot water). We got unlucky and were caught in a monsoon- flooding our tent site, giving us slick mud to navigate in the dark- but this is no fault of the campground/Mississippi of course. The RV portion of the campground was 100% full- surprising for a Monday, but it seemed as if it had been occupied by long term construction workers camping there. We left early in the morning, soaked tent in tow and were unable to review the other amenities provided like the playground and basketball court! Definitely not a bad site, but if you’re a tenter and there’s a chance of rain.... i would avoid this one (unless you’re looking to wash your tent).