Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

Star3.55
241 reviews
726 Chewalla Lake Rd, Holly Springs MS, 38659
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

466 ft

Price

$7 - $80/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Open season is from ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens US Forest Service site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Chewalla Lake Recreation Area
$7.00 - $80.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Shelter GS1 costs $40 for groups under 50 people and $80 for groups exceeding 50. Each vehicle using the pavilion must pay an additional $5....
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Standard Site Fee$7.00
Hookup Site Fee$20.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$40.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
662-236-6550
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What Campers Say

3.55

Mixed Reviews

Based on 241 reviews

191 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietpeacefulspacious

"User reviews of Chewalla Lake Recreation Area highlight peaceful surroundings, recreational activities, and affordability. However, concerns about facility closures, vandalism, and maintenance issues appear frequently. "Wonderful park," and "nice quiet place," are common praises, but others report "trash everywhere" and "locked bathrooms.""

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Campground Map

726 Chewalla Lake Rd, Holly Springs MS, 38659

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

726 Chewalla Lake Rd, Holly Springs MS, 38659

Driving directionsIn Holly Springs, Mississippi at the intersection of State Routes 4 and 7, take Route 4 east 1.4 miles to the Chewalla Lake sign. At the sign, bear right and go 5.7 miles to the Chewalla Lake Recreation Area sign (Forest Route 611/Chewalla Lake Road). Turn left at the sign and go 1.3 miles to the campground.
The campground is accessible via paved roads; however, user reviews indicate road conditions to be poor in some areas with potholes and unmaintained paths. It is situated approximately 3 miles from a major highway, requiring careful navigation especially at night due to limited visibility.
Nearby places
Holly Springs: 8.5 miles northwest, Memphis TN: approximately 50 miles north
Nearby supplies
Grocery stores, gas stations, and dining options are available in Holly Springs, 8.5 miles northwest.

Best Time to Camp at Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

Experience the full spectrum of Mississippi's seasons at Chewalla Lake, where each time of year paints the landscape in different hues. Spring and fall emerge as the crown jewels for camping, offering crisp mornings, comfortable days, and perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. Summer brings warm, dry days with gentle breezes that whisper through the pines, ideal for water activities. While winter can surprise with occasional cold snaps, the typically mild climate means year-round opportunities for those willing to embrace the seasonal changes.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Swimming and boating available in summer but heat and past facility closures reduce appeal.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Autumn foliage and mild weather make fall a top season; reviews highlight fall color.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Dogwood blossoms and pleasant weather make spring a prime season for visits.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Open year-round but limited winter-specific activities; milder climate but fewer draws.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season is from January 1 to December 31. Reservations can be made up to December 20, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: Reports of vandalism and closures affecting bathroom facilities and tent camping availability in recent years. Guests are advised to check current conditions before planning a visit.

About Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

Nestled in the heart of northern Mississippi, Chewalla Lake Recreation Area beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its tranquil waters and diverse camping options. This peaceful retreat offers both RV and tent sites surrounded by nature's embrace, where days are filled with swimming in the refreshing lake, casting lines for the day's catch, or gliding across mirror-like waters in a kayak. While recent years have brought challenges with maintenance and vandalism affecting some facilities, the area's natural beauty and recreational opportunities continue to draw those seeking an authentic outdoor experience away from the crowds.
Chewalla Lake Recreation Area accommodates RV campers and prohibits tent camping due to closed bathrooms. Options include electric/water hookup sites, non-electric sites, and a rentable shelter. Group camping specifics and cabin or glamping options are absent.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Not specified.
Check-out
Not specified.
Stay Limit
No maximum stay limit mentioned.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area offers a range of activities including fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. "Swimming on a sandy beach, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, and catfish" are highlighted in the official overview. User reviews confirm these activities, though conditions may vary due to maintenance or vandalism.
HikingThe campground features trails around the lake. One user mentioned "trail that goes around the lake on site," but additional details on trail difficulty and lengths are absent.
FishingFishing is a key recreational activity, with opportunities to catch largemouth bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. "Great fishing and camping spot," mentioned one user. However, others noted poor water conditions in some reviews.
SwimmingSwimming at Chewalla Lake is accessible, featuring a serene no-wake lake and a sandy beach. One user described the beach as "gorgeous sand," but another noted poor water quality during their visit.
BoatingBoating is supported with a no-wake lake and an on-site boat ramp. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities. "Boat ramp is located on-site," per the overview.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing opportunities are available, including sightings of bears, boars, and cougars, though these animals typically stay away from populated areas. One reviewer detailed wildlife encounters, including a boar attracted by pet food.
Beach activitiesBeach-related activities include relaxing on the sandy beach and swimming. "The beach was gorgeous sand," one reviewer noted.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential wildlife encounters include bears, boars, cougars, and ticks. User reviews also mention poor road conditions and ongoing vandalism.
Active AlertsReports of vandalism and closures affecting bathroom facilities and tent camping availability in recent years. Guests are advised to check current conditions before planning a visit.

Weather at Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

Reviews

3.6
241 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Chewalla Lake Recreation Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews of Chewalla Lake Recreation Area highlight peaceful surroundings, recreational activities, and affordability. However, concerns about facility closures, vandalism, and maintenance issues appear frequently. "Wonderful park," and "nice quiet place," are common praises, but others report "trash everywhere" and "locked bathrooms."
Review Summaries
Based on 241 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include serene atmosphere, spacious campsites, good fishing conditions, and helpful campground hosts. "Quiet, peaceful camping," and "beautiful lake," are recurring themes in reviews.
Based on 241 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues raised include facility closures (bathrooms, showers), vandalism, trash accumulation, and poor road conditions. "Trash everywhere," "locked bathrooms," and "overgrown, unkept...
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Based on 241 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring cash for fees, firewood, extra trash bags, and personal toilet supplies due to facility closures. "Minimize ticks by raking undergrowth," noted one reviewer.
Based on 241 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Facilities appear to have suffered closures from COVID-19 and vandalism, with many reviews from 2021 pointing out significant maintenance issues. Recent reviews from 2023 suggest partial reopening...
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Based on 241 reviews

Camper Quotes

- "Chewalla Lake is just what we were looking for...a place in nature." (2019) - "Such a peaceful camping experience!" (2019) - "Sadly, the hooligans have vandalized the campgrounds so they're...
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Based on 241 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific campsite reviews include: - "Found my campsite easily, but my power and my neighbor's power was not turned on until late that night." (2020) - "Campsite 003 had trash and bottles...
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Based on 241 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility-specific feedback is limited, though reviews mention dispersed campsites with space. No clear ADA compliance details are available.
Based on 241 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed. "Pets are welcome, on leashes," mentioned one reviewer, though another noted that pets are not allowed on the beach.
Based on 241 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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