Along the Gulf Coast in southern Mississippi, Bay St. Louis offers camping options in a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers. The area receives about 65 inches of rainfall annually, making it one of the wettest regions in the continental United States. Local campgrounds provide water access to both the Gulf of Mexico and inland waterways.
What to do
Water activities on Wolf River: At Wolf River Resort, campers can enjoy both boating and kayaking with convenient boat-in access. One visitor noted, "We had a nice spot site #81 that was a pull through on sand. It was on a small creek where we could kayak."
Biking through campgrounds: Flint Creek Waterpark features extensive trails perfect for cycling. A camper mentioned, "Great spot of swimming and biking. Private spots and great shade."
Fishing from campsites: Multiple riverfront campgrounds offer fishing directly from sites. At McLeod Park, guests appreciate the water proximity: "We enjoyed our mid October stay. Great playground and splash pad for the children. We walked the nature trail and enjoyed the river views from our campsite."
Nature trails and wildlife viewing: Several parks maintain hiking paths with opportunities to spot local fauna. One McLeod Park reviewer shared, "You couldn't really see it from the site, but across the road was the river. There was a walking trail at the end that led to a little sand bar."
What campers like
Level concrete pads: McLeod Park Campground receives praise for its site construction. A camper stated, "Nearly every site has a level concrete pad and many have full hookups. Lots of trees."
Affordable alternatives to pricier parks: For budget-conscious travelers, some parks offer significant savings. At Three Oaks & A Pine RV Park, a reviewer pointed out, "Very affordable, paid $30 for full hookup, compared to other RV sites near the city were about triple the price."
Kid-friendly water features: Multiple parks cater to families with water recreation. One visitor to Flint Creek noted, "Great spot of swimming and biking. Private spots and great shade."
Waterfront proximity: Sites with direct water views rank highly among reviewers. A McLeod visitor shared, "Beautiful campground, boat launch and water access are nice, but the most crowded park we have been to!"
What you should know
Variable site spacing: Some campgrounds pack sites closely. At McLeod Park, a camper observed, "Beautiful campground, boat launch and water access are nice, but the most crowded park we have been to! You're VERY close to your neighbors and there is little room for parking."
Seasonal insect populations: Summer camping brings increased bug activity. One McLeod Park reviewer warned, "The roaches THE ROACHES WERE HORRIBLE. Especially at night as soon as you'd open up the door they were flying EVERYWHERE, we camped in August."
Limited showers at some facilities: Bathroom facilities vary widely between parks. A visitor noted about McLeod, "The bathhouse only has two showers. There isn't alot of water pressure. It is hot water though."
Reservation difficulties: Popular parks fill quickly. A McLeod camper explained, "McLeod park is a great place to camp. Specially when you could call in to make reservations. Now that they do online cannot get available spots. No update if spot comes available."
Tips for camping with families
Splash pads for children: Keesler AFB FamCamp offers family-friendly amenities. A visitor mentioned, "This campground is located outside the gates and next door to a beautiful park that has fishing, disc golf, and a splash pad playground for the kids."
Weekend noise considerations: Some parks become livelier on weekends. A McLeod Park visitor shared, "We didn't really like the drinking and people riding on their boats blaring obnoxious music, but that's just our personal preference and only happened during the weekend."
Nature trails for exploration: Many parks maintain hiking paths suitable for children. One reviewer noted, "We walked the nature trail and enjoyed the river views from our campsite. This park packs them in during the summer months but was pretty quiet this time."
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play areas. A visitor to McLeod Park wrote, "We spent most of our time at the playground! It's really not that bad of a park."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Boomtown Casino RV Park offers basic accommodations. A reviewer noted, "There is nothing special about this rv park. It has hook ups. You can walk to the bay and casino. It felt safe and the pad was level."
Full hookup availability: Most area campgrounds offer complete services. According to one camper at McLeod, "Full hook up water 50 amp service and sewage. Bath house are clean. Boat ramps for boats splash pads for kids."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies across campgrounds. A McLeod visitor reported, "Cell service: Verizon service with 2 bars and AT&T one bar sometimes none. We were able to stream the LSU Tigers beat Arkansas on our Verizon hot spot."
Varying pad construction: Sites range from concrete to gravel or sand. A reviewer at Wolf River Resort explained, "We had a nice spot site #81 that was a pull through on sand. It was on a small creek where we could kayak."
