Camping in Mississippi

A complete guide to camping in Mississippi

Stunning sunrise over Mississippi's Ross Barnett Reservoir

Photo Credit: J Wilkens

Overview

Mississippi camping divides between the Gulf Coast and the interior forest and hill country. The coastline from Biloxi through Gulfport to the barrier islands draws the most camping traffic, with beach-adjacent campgrounds and casino-town access. The Gulf Islands National Seashore manages the barrier islands offshore, accessible by boat from the mainland. Davis Bayou Campground in Ocean Springs provides the primary national seashore camping base.

The interior holds a quieter camping scene along the Natchez Trace Parkway, which runs 444 miles diagonally from Natchez to Nashville. Campgrounds along the Trace at Jeff Busby, Rocky Springs, and Meriwether Lewis offer free, first-come camping in hardwood forest. The De Soto National Forest in the south-central region provides the state's largest public-land camping area. Vicksburg's Civil War battlefield adds historical context to river-bluff camping. Mississippi's flat terrain rarely exceeds 500 feet, and the subtropical climate means heat and humidity dominate the camping experience from May through September.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Mississippi

Spring

Mar-May

High 71°F · Low 59°F

Azalea and magnolia season. Temperatures reach the 70s and 80s. Comfortable before summer humidity peaks. Gulf Coast water warms for swimming. Thunderstorms increase through April.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 86°F · Low 74°F

Hot, humid, and buggy. July averages 82 degrees with heat index values above 100. Hurricane season begins June 1. Gulf Coast camping carries storm risk. Most campers either head to the coast for water access or avoid the state entirely.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	71°F	59°F	Azalea and magnolia season.
Summer	Jun-Aug	86°F	74°F	Hot, humid, and buggy.
Fall	Sep-Nov	71°F	59°F	Hurricane risk continues through October.
Winter	Dec-Feb	55°F	43°F	Mild winters with January averaging 48 degrees.

Camping Regions in Mississippi

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Gulf Coast	Coastal	Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula
Natchez Trace Parkway	Forest	Natchez, Port Gibson, Kosciusko, Tupelo
De Soto National Forest	Forest	Hattiesburg, Wiggins, Brooklyn, McHenry
Delta and River Country	Plains	Vicksburg, Columbus, Starkville, Greenville

Gulf Coast

Coastal · Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula

Biloxi, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs anchor the coastal camping corridor. Davis Bayou Campground in the Gulf Islands National Seashore provides the most natural option. Casino-resort proximity distinguishes this coast from others in the region. The barrier islands (Horn, Petit Bois, Ship) offer primitive boat-access camping. Gulf Coast casinos provide a counterpoint to beach camping. Biloxi Bay RV Resort and Marina and Gulf Beach RV Resort in Biloxi, and Gulfport Luxury RV Resort provide the primary coastal campground options.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Forest · Natchez, Port Gibson, Kosciusko, Tupelo

The 444-mile parkway traverses the state diagonally with three free campgrounds. Jeff Busby has a developed campground at the highest point in Mississippi along the Trace. Rocky Springs sits among ruins of a former town. The Trace itself is a scenic drive with numerous pulloffs and short hikes. No commercial development along the parkway. Plantation RV Park and Natchez RV Retreat in Natchez provide developed camping at the southern end of the Trace.

De Soto National Forest

Forest · Hattiesburg, Wiggins, Brooklyn, McHenry

South-central Mississippi pine forest with developed campgrounds and dispersed camping. The Black Creek Wilderness provides the most remote camping in the state. The Leaf River and Black Creek offer paddling. Sandy soil, longleaf pine, and controlled burn landscape define the terrain. Longleaf Piney Resort near Hattiesburg and Flint Creek Water Park near Wiggins serve the south-central forest region.

Delta and River Country

Plains · Vicksburg, Columbus, Starkville, Greenville

The flat Mississippi Delta in the western part of the state along the Mississippi River. Vicksburg's battlefield and bluffs provide the most dramatic terrain. The Delta itself holds rich soil, cotton fields, and blues heritage but minimal camping infrastructure. Leroy Percy State Park near Hollandale has alligator viewing. Quilly's Magnolia RV Park and Rivertown Rose Campground in Vicksburg provide camping near the battlefield and river bluffs.

Camping Tips for Mississippi

Natchez Trace Parkway campgrounds are free and first-come, first-served. No reservations. Jeff Busby and Rocky Springs rarely fill except on holiday weekends. Arrive by early afternoon to be safe.
Gulf Coast camping means hurricane awareness from June through November. The Mississippi coast has been hit by multiple major hurricanes. Know evacuation routes and have a plan.
Mosquitoes and other biting insects are intense from April through October statewide. DEET, long sleeves, and head nets are necessary near water and in low-lying areas.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore barrier islands require boat access. Davis Bayou Campground in Ocean Springs is the only drive-in camping option within the national seashore.
De Soto National Forest allows dispersed camping. Bring insect repellent and be prepared for sandy soil, pine flatwoods, and limited shade in some areas.
Alligators inhabit most waterways in the southern half of the state. Standard precautions apply at any campground near water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Natchez Trace camping really free?

Three campgrounds along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi are free. No reservation, no fee. Jeff Busby, Rocky Springs, and Meriwether Lewis (in Tennessee) are maintained by the National Park Service. Sites are first-come with basic amenities. Quiet hours and generator restrictions apply.

Can I camp on the Gulf Islands?

Horn Island and Petit Bois Island in the Gulf Islands National Seashore allow primitive camping. Access requires a private boat or charter. Bring all water, supplies, and shade. No facilities on the islands. Davis Bayou Campground in Ocean Springs is the only drive-in option within the national seashore.

When is the best time to camp on the Mississippi coast?

November through April. Winter brings mild temperatures (50s and 60s), dormant mosquitoes, and no hurricane risk. Spring is comfortable but bugs return. Summer is hot, humid, and hurricane-prone. Fall moderates by late October.

Is dispersed camping available in Mississippi?

De Soto National Forest in south-central Mississippi permits dispersed camping. Bienville National Forest near the center of the state also allows it. No fee or permit required. State parks have designated campsites only. Holly Springs National Forest in the north provides additional forest camping.

How does Mississippi compare to neighboring states for camping?

Mississippi has fewer mountain and lake camping options than Alabama, Tennessee, or Arkansas. Its strengths are the free Natchez Trace campgrounds, the Gulf Islands barrier island experience, and mild winter camping. The camping scene is less developed than neighboring states but correspondingly less crowded.