The small town of Tunica, Mississippi offers a variety of gambling attractions, but it also boasts enough outdoor recreational opportunities to help you get plenty of exercise and explore the area. For a more natural setting, head to nearby St. Francis National Forest for swimming, fishing, boating and hiking. Both Tunica and the national forest offer a variety of camping options suitable for both RVers and tenters.
Location
Located along the Mississippi River, Tunica makes a great base camp from which to spend time outdoors. Walk along the nearby Mississippi River, swim at Tunica Lake or head to Memphis, located about an hour's drive north. The town of Tunica lies along Highway 713 as it follows the Mississippi River. Water-related activities make St. Francis National Forest, located south of Tunica, another great area to visit.
Private Campgrounds
A variety of campgrounds catering to RVers as well as tent campers provide plenty of options near the town's casino action or in more remote settings. Harrah's Casino Mid-South RV Park offers 200 spaces with hookups for water, electric, sewer and cable televisions. Fitness enthusiasts can get exercise in with the large heated pool, volleyball, basketball and shuffleboard courts or at the horseshoe pits. The Bordeaux Point RV Park offers RVers and tent campers a more natural setting on nearby Tunica Lake. The park offers full hookups and restrooms with showers.
Public Campgrounds
Nearby St. Francis National Forest offers several campgrounds ideal for tent camping as well as RVers who don't need all the amenities. Two campgrounds, Beech Point and Lone Pine, offer forested campsites with vault toilets but no hookups. The campgrounds offer easy access to Bear Creek Lake swimming areas. Visitors can fish from shore or in a boat for bass and catfish. Lone Pine also offers easy access to the one-mile Bear Creek Loop hiking trail.
Activities
Outdoor recreational opportunities in the town of Tunica itself include the Tunica RiverPark. The 168-acre park features an eco-trail that winds along the Mississippi River. The observation deck also features great views of the river. The park offers a museum and interpretive center with an aquarium and diorama that explains life along the river. To experience the river itself, visitors should consider boarding the Tunica Queen. The Tunica Queen riverboat offers a luxury-style trip along the Mississippi River, including cruises with or without dinner and dancing. Several area golf courses round out the recreational opportunities.
What to Bring
Bug spray and sunscreen come in very handy in the area. Those who plan to fish in Tunica Lake or the nearby national forest will need the appropriate state fishing license. Tunica Lake requires a Mississippi State license while the national forest requires an Arkansas State permit. Both are available at nearby towns in each state.
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