Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, De Soto National Forest, MS has a lot to offer. De Soto National Forest is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your De Soto National Forest camping trip.
Davis Bayou Campground is located east of downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and is a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Visitors enjoy the campground for its easy access to boating, fishing, biking and hiking trails.
Davis Bayou offers many recreational opportunities for visitors year-round such as fishing, boating, biking, bird watching, picnicking and attending ranger-led programs. Visitors may also enjoy hiking along the Davis Bayou Trail, which takes visitors through a coastal forest and over two local bayous, with an opportunity to see alligators and other reptiles. The campground offers easy access, a 1/2 mile, to the park's boat launch, as well as the scenic Davis Bayou Trail. The fishing pier, located near the Visitor Center, may be used by visitors who possess a Mississippi State Saltwater Fishing License.
The campground is nestled among live oaks and pine trees and is adjacent to a saltwater marsh. Most campsites offer some shade throughout the day and all offer a tranquil setting for migratory bird watching and picnicking.
Davis Bayou is home to many of the park's highly visited barrier islands, such as Horn, Petit Bois, East Ship and West Ship islands. Private boaters may enjoy fishing and swimming, as well as beach combing and bird watching. Private boaters may also enjoy island camping on all islands except West Ship Island, which is only open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The barrier islands are accessible by boat only, therefore you may visit with your own boat or by private charter. Visitors may call 228-875-9057, ext. 114, for a list of park-approved licensed boat operators. Ferries run to West Ship Island from Gulfport, MS during the months March through October. For more information about the ferry service, please call Ship Island Excursions at 228-864-1014.
$30 - $100 / night
$25 / night
Flint Creek Campground, located on Highway 29 in Wiggins, Mississippi, and an easy 35 miles north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, offers water fun for the whole family. The park is comprised of 1900 total acres and features a 650-acre lake with 13 miles of shoreline stocked with bass, bream, crappie and catfish offering excellent fishing 24-hours a day. The lake is also a favorite for boating, water skiing and swimming. Aluminum boat rentals are available. Landlubbers can enjoy camping and picnicking all year round. With 152 fully developed camping spurs, 34 vacation cabins, and 12 camphouses, Flint Creek is a terrific place to spend weekends or vacations. Campers can enjoy swimming at their own private beach, or just enjoy nature, taking a hike down the nature trail, fragrant with daisies, honeysuckle, roses and red clover. Wild turkey, deer, squirrels, and ducks and other waterfowl can often be found along the lakeside. At lunch or dinner, enjoy the picnic area equipped with barbeque grills and picnic tables. For added convenience, Flint Creek also has 1 private pavilion and 2 enclosed lodge halls. Every July 4th holiday, the water park holds it annual Fireworks Display enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. An annual haunted forest is held the Saturday before Halloween. The business district of Wiggins lies two miles outside Flint Creek's entrance gate which features grocery stores, specialty shops, fuel, a hospital, golf course, camping, bait and fishing supplies, video rentals, and restaurants.
The office is located in the same building which once served as a projection room and concession stand for what used to be a drive-in movie theatre. This building also houses the laundry room, bath house restrooms, and lounge; being adjacent to the swimming pool and playground.
Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary Cable TV
Complimentary Coffee & Danish Each Morning in Lounge
Sand Volleyball Court
2 Large Lighted Pavilions
Outdoor Fireplace
Horseshoe pits
Cornhole Boards
Laundry room
Men’s and Women’s bath houses and restrooms
Charcoal grills
Convenient viewing along Hwy 90 for park guests.
Spacious areas for parking tow-trailers or extra vehicles
Playground
Swimming Pool
Dog Park
Most Pets Welcome*
Propane Available
Centrally Located to Many Attractions
Across the Street from 26 Miles of White Sand Beaches
Seasonal Park Activities for registered guests$55 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
$24 / night
Oaklawn RV Park is a well-maintained RV campground located in Biloxi Mississippi, a half-mile off I-10 at exit 41. We offer full hookups, including wifi and 30/50 amp electrical at all of our back in and pull-through sites. We also provide clean restrooms with showers and coin-operated laundry facilities.
Whether you need a place to rest for a night, a week, a month, or a year; we would love to have you stay with us at the Oaklawn RV Park.
$30 - $35 / night
Davis Bayou Campground is located east of downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and is a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Visitors enjoy the campground for its easy access to boating, fishing, biking and hiking trails.
Davis Bayou offers many recreational opportunities for visitors year-round such as fishing, boating, biking, bird watching, picnicking and attending ranger-led programs. Visitors may also enjoy hiking along the Davis Bayou Trail, which takes visitors through a coastal forest and over two local bayous, with an opportunity to see alligators and other reptiles. The campground offers easy access, a 1/2 mile, to the park's boat launch, as well as the scenic Davis Bayou Trail. The fishing pier, located near the Visitor Center, may be used by visitors who possess a Mississippi State Saltwater Fishing License.
The campground is nestled among live oaks and pine trees and is adjacent to a saltwater marsh. Most campsites offer some shade throughout the day and all offer a tranquil setting for migratory bird watching and picnicking.
Davis Bayou is home to many of the park's highly visited barrier islands, such as Horn, Petit Bois, East Ship and West Ship islands. Private boaters may enjoy fishing and swimming, as well as beach combing and bird watching. Private boaters may also enjoy island camping on all islands except West Ship Island, which is only open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The barrier islands are accessible by boat only, therefore you may visit with your own boat or by private charter. Visitors may call 228-875-9057, ext. 114, for a list of park-approved licensed boat operators. Ferries run to West Ship Island from Gulfport, MS during the months March through October. For more information about the ferry service, please call Ship Island Excursions at 228-864-1014.
$30 - $100 / night
$25 / night
Flint Creek Campground, located on Highway 29 in Wiggins, Mississippi, and an easy 35 miles north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, offers water fun for the whole family. The park is comprised of 1900 total acres and features a 650-acre lake with 13 miles of shoreline stocked with bass, bream, crappie and catfish offering excellent fishing 24-hours a day. The lake is also a favorite for boating, water skiing and swimming. Aluminum boat rentals are available. Landlubbers can enjoy camping and picnicking all year round. With 152 fully developed camping spurs, 34 vacation cabins, and 12 camphouses, Flint Creek is a terrific place to spend weekends or vacations. Campers can enjoy swimming at their own private beach, or just enjoy nature, taking a hike down the nature trail, fragrant with daisies, honeysuckle, roses and red clover. Wild turkey, deer, squirrels, and ducks and other waterfowl can often be found along the lakeside. At lunch or dinner, enjoy the picnic area equipped with barbeque grills and picnic tables. For added convenience, Flint Creek also has 1 private pavilion and 2 enclosed lodge halls. Every July 4th holiday, the water park holds it annual Fireworks Display enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. An annual haunted forest is held the Saturday before Halloween. The business district of Wiggins lies two miles outside Flint Creek's entrance gate which features grocery stores, specialty shops, fuel, a hospital, golf course, camping, bait and fishing supplies, video rentals, and restaurants.
The office is located in the same building which once served as a projection room and concession stand for what used to be a drive-in movie theatre. This building also houses the laundry room, bath house restrooms, and lounge; being adjacent to the swimming pool and playground.
Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary Cable TV
Complimentary Coffee & Danish Each Morning in Lounge
Sand Volleyball Court
2 Large Lighted Pavilions
Outdoor Fireplace
Horseshoe pits
Cornhole Boards
Laundry room
Men’s and Women’s bath houses and restrooms
Charcoal grills
Convenient viewing along Hwy 90 for park guests.
Spacious areas for parking tow-trailers or extra vehicles
Playground
Swimming Pool
Dog Park
Most Pets Welcome*
Propane Available
Centrally Located to Many Attractions
Across the Street from 26 Miles of White Sand Beaches
Seasonal Park Activities for registered guests$55 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Scout
Nice location if it weren't for the truck noise, subwoofer bandits and susceptibility to flooding. The management is non-existent except for when it's time to be stupid.
They have some very obnoxious full-time RVs there who who prey on short-term visitors with obnoxious motorcycle behavior. Avoid the fire pit circle... Loud drunk and incredibly obnoxious people.
Scout
Good place to go on a camping trip
Scout
If you are in sites 1-38 they are wooded with some privacy between sites. Some have a nice view of the lake. We were in site 34 which was spacious. Easy access to the All Ranks Club and a small Exchange.
Guide
We stayed the weekend before Halloween and it was a very busy weekend in the campground. Some sites were extravagantly decorated and trick or treating following a golf cart parade was fun. The park is nice. The only reason I did give 5 stars is because the boardwalks over the lake were in desperate need of repair and unsafe.
Guide
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. This park packs them in during the summer months but was pretty quiet this time. The park is clean and very family friendly. 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.
Traveler
Nice small campground. The shower was clean yet dated. Had multiple sites with the lake view. Many of the campsite have campers that are staying the maximum stay. So some of the premium site are occupied by them.
Legend
Beautiful campground with large spaces. Wildlife is in abundance. Hosts kept us informed of the weather. Close to everything.
Scout
I went ahead and booked online the favorite spot, hog's wallow. The spot is really nicely arbored, but big spiders all over the place, and ants nests everywhere as well, as soon as I got my food out they were all over . Went to see the shower and it was smelly and dirty as heck. It was enough for me to leave after an hour of visit. I asked for a refund , but they were not willing to do so, hence my comment.
Scout
This campground has been temporarily closed for 4 years and when I last spoke to the rangers office, there was no schedule for re-opening.
Traveler
Arrived here today. By the time I got camp set up, the host stopped by welcomed me and said if there are issues to get with them. Very friendly!
Legend
Stayed here because it was so close, literally a block away, from the Mississippi Colosseum, for granddaughters cheer competition. We checked it and were greeted at arrival, with information packet. FHU, back-in concrete pad, and small dog park. A nice clubhouse and facilities, although we did not use. Directly across the street from the beach, perfect for photos. Clean pool but too cold to use. Very close to neighbors and backed up to apts, which the garbage truck came super early on Sat, dumpster on other side of fence. We were up early, but if you like relaxing and peacefulness, probably not my choice. Close to lots of area attractions, stores and restaurants. Many closed for off season, however. Waffle House next door to RV park. Good for short stay!
Scout
Pitbull friendly they didn’t bay an eye. Great staff super clean place. Friendly people.
TravelerWe just drove in hoping that there was a suitable site for a 30’ motorhome available. There were 3. The campground is more suitable for tents and small trailers. The cost for a site with electric was $15.00 for a senior. $22.00 normally. Joey, the attendant, was so helpful and very knowledgeable. There is a dump. Will come back.
Guide
Close to the water, and the beach is well maintained, but the water is so shallow that at low tide you don't get rolling waves that are usually part of the a beachfront experience. And there were lots of sand gnats, at least during our earlly April visit. Otherwise, we considered the price reasonable for full hookups, and the speed limit on the adjacent road is slow (25 mph) with little traffic, at least during the week.
The previous reviewer indicated that this place is not big rig friendly. Don't know what was there when that review was written in 2021, but as of this writing, there are two separate lots to park your RV. The north lot is certainly tight, but the south lot has angled concrete aprons that are of ample size for big rigs.
Scout
Deer Island is an amazing location to fully appreciate the natural splendor of the Mississippi Gulf Coast! We can join minecraftle game together. My spouse, a few friends, our teenagers(a group of six) and I decided to embark on a tour with Happy Daze Kayaking in Biloxi, MS, and we were extremely satisfied! This particular excursion involved pedal kayaking, which was a new experience for us. The journey from the launch point to the island was just a short and enjoyable few minutes. The owner of the company provided us with valuable insights about the wildlife and ensured we didn't miss anything noteworthy. Pedaling was definitely the way to go! It wasn't challenging and allowed us to sit back and relax. It's advisable to bring bug spray as there might be occasional insects. We had a delightful picnic lunch on the island and had a fantastic time overall. I highly recommend considering Happy Daze Kayaking if you're seeking enjoyable activities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
RangerThis place was literally so sketchy we left instead of staying the night here
Ranger
Came here for two nights because our initial campground was too sketchy. Wayyyyyyyy overpriced but got the job done.
Scout
Loved the little walk into the spot. Explored the best spot to pitch our tent . Peace and quiet. Not far to the car for supplies. 30 yards and that’s it. Great location to the beach and gulf
Traveler
We had an amazing time at Creekside! I stayed here with three friends over the weekend and it was the perfect getaway. We booked the yurt, which came with a super comfy bed, a few extra snacks and even some art supplies to use. The campsite was very spacious with easy access to the creek.
Alicia was a lovely host and we had a great time at the biscuit class in the morning, which included free snuggles with her pups. We will be back!
Scout
Great location. Staffs are friendly and helpful. The RV sites are well mark. We will be back to stay
Scout
We were on a 12 hour haul coming from FL. I allotted for 30 min of traffic and 30 min to pick up a horse on our way. Neither of those things happened so we ended up being about an hour early. I texted the host when I was 3 hours out letting her know our new arrival time. She said she wasn't available and I'd have to wait. I said I can't wait, I've had horses on the trailer for 12 hours. She said I was not to unload and was to leave them standing on the trailer while I waited for her. I asked for simple instructions on where to put my animals. She refused. This is absolutely unacceptable and animal cruelty. I ended up having to desperately find another place to go for my horses while on the road. She refused to refund my money. I cannot say enough negative things about this place or the woman who runs it.
LegendLake Perry, Beaumont, MS: We stopped for an overnight stay. Worked fine. Most sites have an unhindered view of the lake. Currently, the fallen brown leaves and leafless deciduous trees do not make this campground inviting. I imagine the scenery is much more attractive in spring and into fall. However ,must be gorgeous those two times of year. This is a very old campground. Facilities are old. To Do: Fish and fish. The host, Joey, will go out of his way for you. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 3.5 Price 2023: $ 15 for seniors. Security: No gate Usage during visit: 10% Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: A few sites are closer than desirable. Most are okay. Site surface: Concrete Reservations: First-come, first-serve Campground Noise: Quiet, but one site did not try to control their dachshund’s barking. I hope this isn’t indicative of usual behavior. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: Flush. Very old, but Showers: Very ugly Pull Throughs: No Cell Service (AT&T): Okay Setting: View of lake. Host: Yes Rig Size: A large 5 th wheel had to leave as there was not a site large enough. Our site, #1, was the only site the trailer would have fit.
Guide
Campgrounds are beautiful with line forests surrounding the sites. Utilities are primitive but expected for a free campground. Watch where you step! Lots of horse poop.
Guide
We stayed here after picking up our new 5th wheel from Dad's Camper outlet. Not even a mile away. I hope this is allowed, Cat Trent and Ricky were great with getting our new 5th wheel ready for us. Check them out for any RV needs. The staff was very nice. The campground was very nice. It is only 4 months old. All the amenities you need and expect from a KOA. The only difference is that it's new and not run down. Pull through sites are level and concrete. As you can see from my pics, it was raining quite hard.
RangerI enjoyed walking around by the water. This is by ocean springs a little town with awesome art!
ScoutHave camped here a few times over the years never had a bad experience!! Warm weather weekend campers should probably choose a site on back side of loop as the boat launch gets pretty busy and generally use the section closest to hwy . Expect a few cars thru the night and long periods of silence
Guide
So McLeod wasn’t bad at all like I said I just wish our experience would have been better. We had lot 67 which when we first parked we didn’t have anyone else on our little road besides us til the weekend. 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 which was nice, but had to be extra careful bc of the roots and huge holes in the ground that was also filled with beer cans 🙄 our spot didn’t have a fire ring or a grill my husband had to walk to one of the other vacant spots to use that grill which was a little aggravating but whatever. 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 🤦🏼♀️. I ended up having to put poisons out in the camper when we got back home bc it was impossible keeping them out 🤮 the nature trail could seriously need a little more tlc buuutttt besides that me and my husband loved to ride our bikes around the campground and our daughters loved the play ground and little splash pad! We spent most of our time at the playground! It’s really not that bad of a park. 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.
Camping near De Soto National Forest, Mississippi, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near De Soto National Forest, Mississippi, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be sure to check the specific campground details to find the best fit for your adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near De Soto National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, De Soto National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near De Soto National Forest and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near De Soto National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near De Soto National Forest is Davis Bayou Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near De Soto National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near De Soto National Forest.
What parks are near De Soto National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near De Soto National Forest that allow camping, notably Gulf Islands National Seashore and Bienville National Forest.
