Tom Sawyer RV Park on the Mississippi

JTHarley wrote:
Great place just keep your eye on the sky…..heavy rains means get out!

Maybe not. From Tom Sawyer's website: "Tom Sawyer’s is located so close to the Mississippi River, sometimes we’re in it! The Mississippi River can cause us to close periodically anytime from December into early June but most often April or May. The Corps of Engineers and National Weather Service provide river stage forecasts which give us 10 to 14 days advance notice as to when the Mississippi River will force us to temporarily shut down. The flood event is relatively slow and gentle, we do not “flash flood”. We flood primarily from heavy sequential rains in the Ohio River basin (sometimes combined with snow melt) usually a week or two after the events. Sometimes, our area is dry, sunny and warm as the river rises out of its banks."

Stayed there several times, love watching the barges go by.

We live in West Memphis and what I love about the place is that if they see a vehicle coming in that they dont' recognize, they'll stop it and make it leave if it is just sightseers.

True - I remember seeing them do this when we stayed there. Makes for good security.

Best time to camp here is NOT spring or early summer. I don't remember what time of year we were there, but late summer or fall is probably more likely to have the CG high & dry, so to speak.

We live in West Memphis and what I love about the place is that if they see a vehicle coming in that they dont' recognize, they'll stop it and make it leave if it is just sightseers.

As a licensed skipper I really got a kick out of watching the tows go by. Those skippers have to have some real skill compensating for the current in those turns.

I hate posts like this....

We had reservations last year but it was completely under water so they cancelled us.....I was looking forward to just what you've described.....I did put it in my book to remember to go back in the future....I'll just have to luck out on the weather......(sigh)......:).....Dennis

This time of year you always have to call a few days in advance. Looks like they will be flooded next week. You can also go to the COE website and check the river stage at Memphis.

Moved to RV Parks, Campgrounds & Attractions.

Agreed with others - we enjoyed our stay there. The lower section often floods in the spring when the river does, but they are built to recover from it well (laundry on 2nd floor, etc.) Loved watching the barges go by.

The surprise was the size of the barges, up to 3,300 tons, they can string u to 42 together for south bound and 40 for north bound, read that 11,000 hp tugs are the biggest.
Just a big lazy river, can guess about the Tom & Huck stories.
That is big stuff for this country kid.
Dave M

Moved from class A forum