While at a Meetup event for the RV Entrepreneur Summit in Nashville in early November, we mentioned that we planned to stay near Memphis as our next stop. Alyssa Padgett, of HeathandAlyssa.com, recommended Tom Sawyer RV Park in West Memphis, AR. The location is ideal because you are right next to Memphis – only problem is, from the direction we were coming, we had to drive the RV through Memphis, which was a bit harry. Lots of traffic running through that city, but the bridge connecting Tennessee and Arkansas gives an impressive view of the river and a glimpse of the campground.
The drive into the RV park consists of a long winding road, Mike followed the directions given on Tom Sawyer’s website, not the GPS. We nearly got lost the first few times we were driving back to the park at night (it’s not in the best neighborhood). Memphis is one of the busiest trucking cities in the U.S., a lot of tractor trailers pass through the area (which is why driving an RV through it can be nerve-racking) but the upside is that the RV park is near several truck-stops, which are great for refueling an RV. Despite the location being a hub for tractor trailer traffic, the park is still quiet and secure.
Once we arrived and parked at Tom Sawyer RV park, I had to run out to behold the Mighty Mighty Mississippi! It was quite a sight, I had never seen the Mississippi river before in my life. The park is huge and includes nature trails through the woods that surround it. Tom Sawyer gives you a real taste of all the types of transportation that run through the area – big and clunky trucks, long freight trains, and tug boats pushing massive barges. The occasional haunting train whistles and eerie tug boat horns only add to the appeal of the place. The expanse of RV parking spots (all with great views of the river) is notable – here is even a large grassy flood plain where RV owners’ dogs can run wild (pets need to be leashed, but still they could run crazy if they were allowed).
The nature trails and extensive parking are just a few of the perks this park offers. Trash is picked up right from your campsite, however, there is no recycling collection at the park. I started to build a collection of aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and cardboard boxes in our RV since there wasn’t even a dumpster you could take your recycling to in the park. Another great perk is FREE LAUNDRY, Alyssa Padgett mentioned this one as a huge selling point.
We have a washer/dryer combo in our RV, but it was nice to get some of our larger fabric items – quilts, blankets, towels, etc. done in regular sized washers and dryers. I mentioned earlier the closeness to Memphis, but it bears repeating, it was 10-15-minute drive from the heart of Memphis, which was great for our traveling to see all the Sights of Memphis.
Tom Sawyer RV park is a great place to stay; the place is a bit costly, it does accept Good Sam. We only stayed a week due to the price tag, but it was worth it to get a chance to conveniently tour Memphis.
Thumbs up recommendation!