Tom Sawyer's RV Park, West Memphis, AR

Tom Sawyer’s RV Park, West Memphis, AR is one of two favorite Mississippi River campgrounds. Easily accessed via Route 61 north (the great Mississippi River Road) or from I40 follow S.Loop Drive to the park entrance up over the levee and down a winding road to the office. To the owners credit their website links to the Lower Mississippi River Streamflow Prediction chart which displays current River Levels; there is no flooding when the River is below 31’. Google Maps shows the park during flood, and Google Earth dates the flood picture as 3/14/18. The illustration is bleak and the park flooded (although not to the record height of 47.87’ in May 2011 as depicted in our pictures) up to the office (which is on a trailer so it can be removed when necessary) with floating debris (and the powerful current is clearly visible). The tree house down by the river is evidently in danger and other outbuildings are inundated or surround by swift flood waters. Amazingly the property is cleaned and ready for occupancy shortly after the waters recede; this must be a herculean job and kudos to the owners for their efforts. After the flood waters recede the expansive bottomland river campground and shoreline are littered with driftwood and affords an opportunity to build great bonfires on the shoreline as the owners encourage guests to pick up debris and burn it. Nonetheless damage is visible with water spigots tilted and  evidence of erosion. Still the mighty River enthralls with its power and beauty. And of course it is a short drive east on I40 to Memphis; plan on several days to explore all Memphis offers. So do not forgo  Memphis, the restaurants, the murals (every town now has their own version-what was once graffiti is now touted as art…and yes some murals do qualify as urban art), the attractions, walking tours and so much more (yes I have left out what famous place??).

This could be called a pastoral park, however the view is the deal and most sites with old concrete pads and functioning FHU offer a spacious area around each site. The bath/shower/laundry building (on a trailer) is towed back to the bottomland to service guests on the northwest side of the park (see map on their website), the electric panels are replaced, sewer lines checked and the River splendor returns. 

The FHU are standard and our 50 amp service allowed us to continually draw 60 amps without an issue. The bath/shower/laundry trailer facilities are clean and well maintained. As surmised there is no cable and OTA (over the air antenna) received many HD stations from across the river in Memphis, TN. WiFi 64% signal strength, -65dBm numbers indicate marginal streaming although we did watch movies with little buffering which is better than what the signal indicates. The campground has little landscaping and the few trees that withstand the annual floods did not impinge upon our 45’ motorcoach with tow.

A stroll around the campground surprises the visitor with tree houses in unexpected places as depicted in our photos. Unfortunately the original tree house by the River sustained damage back in 2018 so the owners built a new one in the next tree-do not pass up climbing it for the view.

This park demonstrates what thoughtful and proactive park owners can offer thru dedication and hard work every year and we encourage this type of entrepreneurial spirit in the rv park industry. It need not be a resort, just basic amenities, well groomed grounds, clean facilities, reliable FHU and WiFi while watching the River traffic makes the stay enjoyable and relaxing. We visit this River campground regularly due to the level of service, maintenance, proximity to Memphis and of course the every changing Mississippi River. 

The Takeaway: Tom Sawyer’s RV Park is one of two great Mississippi River bottomland campgrounds made welcome by the hard working owners who clean and restore the park year after year as the flooded MS River takes it toll. Clean bath/shower facility. Their website links to MS Flood levels to ascertain whether the park is open. WiFi is acceptable for streaming and the views of Mississippi River barge traffic mesmerizing and Sawyeresque. A short trip on I40 east into Memphis provides guests with days of exciting exploration in this southern city. This is a destination campground. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of this park as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.