Camp Out at Tunica Hills

Landscape architect Brenda Sory made a career of shaping outdoor spaces to her clients’ specifications. But when she opened her campground deep in the Tunica Hills, she set out to preserve the land in its natural state. “As much as possible, I’ve tried to leave the forest as is,” said Sory, who bought six-and-a-half thickly forested acres deep in the Tunica Hills northwest of St. Francisville six years ago. “I could not have picked a piece of land better suited to this,” she enthused from the seat of the battered Kawasaki Mule she uses to shuttle campers and their gear from her park office on tiny Parker Road, half a mile back into the woods to the sites themselves. “It just said, 'I’m supposed to be a campground!'”

She’s right. Set along the high edge of a meandering ridge overlooking a steep-sided ravine, nine sites offer their occupants unobstructed views of the emerald-green canopy composed of the region’s beech/magnolia/American holly climax forest. Rudimentary by design, each site provides a raised tentpad, cooking fire, picnic table, and electrical outlet—and not much more. In case of rain, there’s a covered pavilion with picnic tables and a barbecue grill. Bathroom facilities extend to Porta-Pottys and a “hillbilly shower” (with hot water at no extra charge). For those who would prefer to contemplate nature from a slightly further remove, Sory also offers a fully equipped two-bedroom cabin, and is at work on a tiny A-frame tucked back into the woods. It’s not much larger than a family-sized tent, but does come equipped with A/C and a microwave (so you can pretend).

As the name suggests though, folks mostly come to Tunica Hills Campground to camp. And to explore the Tunica Hills. There are two Wildlife Management Area sites in the near vicinity, and the renowned and somewhat remote Tunica Falls are only about ten minutes’ drive away. So far, Sory's guests have been people in their twenties and families, looking for hiking and birdwatching opportunities and a place to pitch a tent, light a fire, drink a beer or two, and escape the pressures of city and suburban life for awhile. “I try to educate folks about not bothering the forest,” noted Sory as the Mule trundled back towards the camp office on Parker Road. She’s had to remind city dweller or two that carving their initials into hundred-year-old trees isn’t right. If you like the idea of spending a night or two roughing it among the secret ravines of the Tunica Hills, surrounded by birdsong, wildlife, and an unbroken green canopy that stretches for miles, this could be your next great escape. Rates begin at $16/night. (225) 921-0956 or tunicahillscampground.com.