Arkabutla Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: COLDWATER, MS, MS
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (344 reviews)
Season: Year-round
South Abutment Recreation Area sits along Arkabutla Lake and Dam in the hills of northwest Mississippi. The dam project is on the Coldwater River and offers some of the best sailing east of the Mississippi River.The campground is situated on the waterfront, among rolling hills forested with a shady mixture of oak, hickory, beech, sweet gum and birch trees.The Lost Indian Spring Disc Golf Course is just below the Arkabutla Dam near Pratt Road. The course has 18 holes and is free to the public.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/south-abutment-campground to be notified when sites open up.
South Abutment sits along Arkabutla Lake in northwest Mississippi, offering excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and biking. The area is known for some of the best sailing east of the Mississippi River.
Wildlife alert: Osprey, Great Horned Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker, Green Heron, Eastern Hognose Snake, Spiny Softshell, Three-toed Box Turtle, and Muskrat documented in the area.
Insider tips for South Abutment Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have no hookups From I-55, take the Hernando exit and follow Scenic Route 304 to the dam, then follow signs into the recreation area
Skip South Abutment Campground if: You need water or sewer hookups—only electric hookups available on select sites. You require reliable customer service—phone lines have reported long hold times. You expect pristine bathhouse facilities—reviews noted clogged drains, broken door hinges, and cleanliness issues.
Best time to visit South Abutment Campground: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations have been noted.
Nearby campgrounds: South Abutment Pavilion (Coldwater, MS), Bayou Point Day Use (Coldwater, MS), Outlet Channel Day Use (Coldwater, MS), Kelly’S Crossing Campground (MS).
Cell signal at South Abutment Campground (COLDWATER, MS): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
South Abutment Recreation Area sits along Arkabutla Lake and Dam in the hills of northwest Mississippi. The dam project is on the Coldwater River and offers some of the best sailing east of the Mississippi River.The campground is situated on the waterfront, among rolling hills forested with a shady mixture of oak, hickory, beech, sweet gum and birch trees.The Lost Indian Spring Disc Golf Course is just below the Arkabutla Dam near Pratt Road. The course has 18 holes and is free to the public.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Book early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have no hookups
From I-55, take the Hernando exit and follow Scenic Route 304 to the dam, then follow signs into the recreation area
Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations have been noted
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.









From I-55, take the Hernando, Mississippi exit and follow Scenic Route 304 to the main dam. Follow signs into the recreation area; the campground is just south of the dam.
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