Family Camping Activities for All Ages: Games, Hiking, and Campfire Fun
Explore family camping activities that bring all ages together, from outdoor games and scenic hikes to memorable campfire fun that creates lasting memories.
For residents and visitors looking for the quintessential Mississippi outdoor experience, **Dewayne Hayes Campground** stands out as a prime destination. Nestled right on the banks of Columbus Lake, which is a major part of the scenic **Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway** (affectionately known as the Tenn-Tom), this campground offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, convenient amenities, and easy access to local attractions. It's more than just a place to park an RV or pitch a tent; it's a dedicated recreation area designed for making lasting family memories.
The atmosphere here is truly welcoming and often described as **quiet and spacious**, even during peak holiday weekends like Labor Day. Many local campers choose Dewayne Hayes as their go-to spot for its well-maintained grounds and the overall sense of relaxation it provides. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer seeking full hookups or a family introducing the kids to their first tent camping adventure, this Lowndes County gem provides a comfortable and secure setting. Named in 1986 for Private First Class Loyd DeWayne Hayes, a member of the Alabama National Guard, the campground also carries a subtle but significant connection to the region's spirit of service and community.
Our goal here is to give you a detailed, local user-focused overview of what makes Dewayne Hayes Campground a top choice for your next Mississippi getaway.
Dewayne Hayes Campground is strategically situated in **Columbus, Mississippi**, a city known for its rich Antebellum history and Southern charm. The campground’s physical location offers the rare convenience of feeling secluded in nature while remaining just a short drive from city amenities, stores, and dining options. Its placement directly on the **Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway** makes it a boater's and angler's paradise, providing direct access to the water.
Getting here is straightforward, making it an excellent weekend retreat for residents across the Golden Triangle and beyond. The official address is easily searchable on all major navigation apps, guiding you right to the entrance. Once you arrive, you'll find the park's layout is well-designed, offering a canopy of mature trees for shade and spacious sites that prevent that cramped feeling you sometimes get at other parks. A key highlight often mentioned by visitors is the beautiful paved walking path, perfect for an evening stroll or a bike ride, adding to the ease of accessibility within the recreation area itself.
The proximity to Columbus also means that on your way in or out, you can easily check out local historic sights, such as the beautiful Antebellum homes, or grab any last-minute supplies.
Dewayne Hayes Campground is well-equipped to support a diverse range of camping styles, from basic to comfortable. The facilities are managed to ensure a pleasant and hassle-free stay for all guests.
What truly sets this campground apart are the recreational opportunities and the natural environment. It’s designed to keep every member of the family entertained, connecting you with the natural beauty of the region.
For reservations, inquiries about site availability, or general information, here is how you can connect with the management team at Dewayne Hayes Campground.
**Address:** 7934 Barton Ferry Rd, Columbus, MS 39705, USA
**Phone:** (662) 434-6939
**Mobile Phone:** +1 662-434-6939
If you're looking for a camping experience in Mississippi that perfectly balances nature with convenience, Dewayne Hayes Campground is the ideal choice. Here's why local users consistently return:
First and foremost, the **location on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway** is unparalleled. For water-centric activities—whether you're fishing for the evening meal, taking the boat out for a day on the water, or simply enjoying the sight of the river—the access here is excellent. The campground is also known for being **quiet and well-kept**, creating a stress-free environment for rest and recreation. Campers frequently commend the **cleanliness of the bathrooms** and the **spaciousness of the sites**, noting that the park is “well-designed” and offers a good level of privacy.
Furthermore, the value here is significant. With both full-hookup sites for comfortable RV living and primitive options for traditional camping, the park caters to all budgets and styles. The amenities, including hot showers, laundry, and the paved walking trail, ensure that your stay is comfortable without losing that authentic outdoor feel. While some minor things, like the presence of ants, are a natural part of camping (and something to be prepared for in any outdoor setting), the overwhelming sentiment is one of gratitude for a beautiful, clean, and welcoming environment.
For a truly rewarding Mississippi camping trip that puts you right by the water and close to the history and charm of Columbus, book your spot at Dewayne Hayes Campground. You’ll be glad you chose this local favorite for your next adventure.
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
RV camping
RV electric hookup
RV sewer hookup
RV water hookup
Hiking
Barbecue grill
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Public shower
Restroom
Running water
Slides
Swings
Tent sites
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Playground
Free parking lot
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
It was our first time camping at this campsite and 2nd time camping. Overall it was a great experience and my 3 kids had a good time. I wish the play park was just a bit bigger. Definitely a lot of ants everywhere. Thankfully we managed to not have many in thr camper this time around. A quiet place even when it was almost all the way full this labor day weekend. We will be back at some point. Thank you. Oh yes and pretty clean bathrooms on site at least for camping.
Nice campground on Tombigee River. There's a really nice paved walking path. Check old Antbellum home on your way there, beautiful place!
This was a very pleasant camping trip. We tent camped on an RV site. We were able to park 2 cars in the RV spot with plenty of room, set up our tent on the gravel area and have water and electric access. There was also a metal fire ring with grill to flip over, a free standing grill and picnic table. Most of the sites are well shaded from tall trees. The bathroom had 2 showers and 3 stalls and was very clean and maintained for a camp bathroom. There was also a large pavilion, playground, boat ramp, and fish cleaning station. The raccoons did pester us every night. They were able to climb up the metal trash hook and stole our marshmallows off our table with us sitting right at the fire ring. We also saw an armadillo and rabbit and heard many birds and owls. There’s a paved walking trail that is a little over grown but comes out to a beautiful swamp area with lots of dragonflies. There is a grassy area near the boat ramp with a nice view of the river and sunset also.
This is a very nice maintained campground, but then that is typical of nearly all of the Army Corp campgrounds we have visited. There are four camp hosts, and they are working diligently to keep it looking good. When you first pull in to the campground you will see a sign pointing to the left for the campgrounds, but on the road leading straight you will see a guardshack like this is the place you are suppose to check in. Don't go there. Turn left and proceed down that road. Down this road, you will see another guardshack that is manned for the campground. There are three bathrooms/shower houses, one boat ramp, a fishcleaning house, a playground, a basketball court, and a badminton court. Also there is a dump station near the entrance. You can dump coming in or going out without the need to turn around. Each campsite has a grill, fish cleaning station, a fire pit ring, and a lantern pole. All of the sites seem level and easy back ins or pull thru. Not all sites have an RV dump. There are primitive sites as well. I would not recommend sites 29, 30, 39, and 40 as they are close to the basketball court. If there are kids camping here, that basketball court could be a bit much for those seeking quiet refuge. The best site for viewing the river barges passing by would be 91. This is not a shaded site like most of them, but you have front row seating for watching boat traffic on the water. Site 92 would be a close second.
Beautiful, well laid out campground. It would get 5 stars if there were more sites with sewer. Also would like to see a code on the gate for after hours.