Graceland RV Park & Campground

Above, The Beast at the Graceland RV Park & Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While planning my trip to Metropolis, Illinois, I decided to take a detour three hours south to Memphis, Tennessee after the celebration of life services for Noel Neill. I was planning to go to Memphis next year, but I decided to do it while I was, ahem, in the area.

I was pleasantly surprised during my planning that there is a RV park across the street from Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion off of Elvis Presley Blvd. Talk about convenient!

This was one of the few RV parks or campgrounds I made prior reservations on this trip.

According to the Graceland RV Park & Campground's website:

Whether you're just a hundred miles from home or traveling across the country, you won't find a more comfortable or convenient Memphis campgrounds to call home for a night or two. Located within walking distance of Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland RV Park & Campground is a haven of relaxation you're not likely to forget anytime soon. This Graceland campground is near other great Memphis attractions if you feel like exploring the city. 

The Graceland RV Park & Campground is located on 19 acres just off Elvis Presley Boulevard behind Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel. Cabins are available for rent as well.

Above, a view of one of the campground's roads. Rental cabins are down at the end. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I stayed two nights at the campground and found it a surprisingly nice setting. The Heartbreak Hotel is now closed (there's a new and much bigger hotel across the street). There is a security gate that is manned 24 hours a day. I chatted with a couple of the guards and found both to be very friendly and diligent in their duties. That should be a big comfort for visitors.

Above, the Graceland RV Park & Campground office and store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The staff members were friendly and the store inside the office sells Elvis souvenirs. With my Good Sam discount, I paid $37.00 per night. Elvis Presley music can be heard from nearby souvenir shops.

I was assigned a pull-through campsite at the end of an aisle, which gave me more room. The site was nice and level, so I didn't have to use my leveling blocks. I made use of the site's table when barbecuing.

Above, another view of my end campsite with the former Heartbreak Hotel in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The campground's roads are named after some of Elvis Presley's hit records, such as "Shook Up Lane", "Hound Dog Way", "Don't Be Cruel Way" and "Teddy Bear Lane". The total number of sites is 78.

If visiting Graceland, Beale Street, Sun Studio or the National Civil Rights Museum (the former Lorraine Motel) and you're traveling by RV, I would recommend staying at the Graceland RV Park & Campground.