Best Cabin Camping near De Soto National Forest

We have heard great things about Paul B. Johnson for years, even before we began our own camping adventures. It was definitely a campground we were excited to check out, so we booked a long weekend getaway with the promise of beautiful spring weather. Unfortunately, our trip here was cut short due to a family emergency, but we were able to scope things out for future adventures.

It was a bit of a trek from our home on a work night, so we arrived after dark at site 67. This campground does not lock up at night, so this was not a major issue. We entered the campground through what we later learned was a back entrance off of Geiger Lake Road, so we didn’t check in until the next morning at the visitor center. The sites were not well marked with numbers, so we had to drive around a time or two to locate our site (with me occasionally getting out of the truck to read the site numbers painted in yellow on the road). The main entrance to the park has a much “fancier” building than the back entrance and leads you to drive over a spillway (which is TOTALLY safe, so no worries). The roads in the campground are narrow, two-lane roads but are not conducive to two RVs passing one another. We had to get off of the road for others to pass.

Our site was lakeside on a hill leading down to a pier that jutted into the lake. It also had a grill and wooden picnic table that was movable. Having full hook up was nice! However, the connections were quite spread out with the water pretty far back from the other connections at this site (we needed two water hoses). There was no dedicated fire ring but there was evidence of camp fires, so we just cleared a space and set up our chairs. However, some sites had a metal fire ring and concrete picnic tables. Lower numbered sites are older with newer sites being those in the 100s. The newer sites are more level and have concrete pads instead of asphalt pavement. However, the views aren’t nearly as nice. Site 16 is next to a pier that leads to an island (super cool but everyone can access that, so you’d lose privacy). Many sites have decks, but that really sacrifices “yard space” if that’s an important factor for you. Some sites we were interested in for our next visit included 71 and 84, but we really loved site 67 and would give it another go for a future visit.

Camp Shelby is nearby, so you’ll hear various noises from that (not overly distracting but I wish I would have known before arriving). There is a splash pad, lake swimming, and several picnic areas near the visitor center that would be awesome for kids and families when the weather is warmer. There are so many species of birds if you enjoy bird watching like we do. We enjoyed watching geese and ducks on Geiger Lake in the morning. There’s also a nature trail that we didn’t get to check out. The views from our camper were beautiful at Paul B, and we would love to visit this campground again soon!

This is a review for BUCCANEER STATE PARK Waveland Mississippi where we stay during  January 2023

Be sure to travel US 90 to Lake Shore Drive to avoid RR track bottom out. 

Lake Shore Drive deadheads into South Beach Drive.

PROS 

Site 109 level 

Site 109 shady 

Treasure Cove toilet/shower facility was heated and clean with ample TP 

Site pedestal grill 

Park roadways easily navigable 

Trash dumpster at campground loop entrance, which was walkable 

T-MOBILE 2-3 bars 

CONS 

Never saw park ranger drive thru campground in 3 days 

Never found a camp host nor were there any marked in campground map

LOTS of noise! Railroad Avenue runs right behind Treasure Cove campground which is heavily traveled Railroad track behind park has 2-3 trains passing by each night 

No privacy from neighboring campsites 

Non moveable concrete & wooden picnic table on concrete slab 

Leash rules ignored by pet owners 

No overnight security gate closure 

Park laundromat had machines out of service 

No park WiFi

Despite the appearance of an unglorified RV parking lot with basically zero privacy and not much space in between the individual RV’s, this spot is a decent stopover if you need to pull your mobile living room over for a short spell. Lakeview RV Resort has more than 100 individual parking lanes for residents and I found the community to be inviting and friendly  there’s even some social gatherings poolside (very nice feature) each night around sundown. 

Of course, the gem of this place is the 16 acre lake, which I was able to get my kayak into for a few quick handful of laps early in the morning. If you’re driving an RV or hauling a camper behind your SUV, then this concrete camping parking lot just off of Highway 15 (due north of Interstate 10) near Saucier may just be the perfect spot for you. But if you’re a diehard tent camper like I am, you’ll be out of luck. 

With ample slanted and elongated parking lanes for your parking pleasure, all of the sites come equipped with the typical 30 / 50 amp electrical hook-ups, waste disposal and water connections, picnic tables, garbage receptacles and even a community BBQ. Additionally, they’ve got a small boat launch, cement / asphalt pads, internet, laundr-O-mat, pavilion for large group events and propane for sale. The restrooms were pretty decent (but could use a serious power spraying).  You’ll discover that both RV’s as well as even a handful of cabins / cottages comingle here, but basically, this is a site designed for and around RV’s.

Insider’s Tip? Near this RV parking lot, you do have access to all of the nightlife and entertainment you would expect to find in nearby Biloxi, and of course, there’s the world-famous Gulf Shores beachheads that are just a short drive to. I’m a diehard foodie, so after a few days of cooking campside, I like to head into town for a nice local meal. There’s 2 great places I could recommend, right off RT. 10, due south of Lakeview RV Resort– either Puff Belly’s Brewery, Pizza& Grill(great live review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b55Vs2hnJk4&t=7s) or Fried Green Tomato, which lives up to its reputation as the Best Fried Green Tomatoes in the South(https://www.tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/souths-best-fried-green-tomatoes/). 

Overall, for the price, convenience and location, Lakeview RV Resort isn’t a bad spot for a night to take a break. 

Happy Camping!

It was great to visit this hidden gem again and I was pleasantly surprised at what great shape it was in following Hurricane Irma and other tropical storms last year. We visited in late November/early December so the bugs weren't too bad at all. We did experience an incredible line of thunderstorms but managed to get some exploring in before the weather moved in.

There are only a few sites here and they are quite small, perfect for small RVs, tents or sleeping in your car. Large oaks and other vegetation provide ample shade for the cooler fall months. Our two four legged fellas enjoyed the flat open grass/dirt area around the campsite and were able to be on their leads without wandering too far in to the thick brush on the edge of the site.

There's a small picnic table that can be moved quite easily as well as well maintained fire rings at each site. There is fresh water available and electric hookups at each site. The bathrooms are clean, as are the showers. The ranger at the entrance station was friendly and chatty. From the campground you can walk along the road (back toward the Visitor's Center) a ways and the duck into the woods or jump on the boardwalk. Keep your eyes peeled, there are some impressive alligators hanging around.

My husband and I stayed at Buccaneer at one of their beachfront spots. This was our first time at Buccaneer and we will definitely be back!

First off, the park has some serious amenities! Their bathhouses are new and very nice, they have a pool and laundromat, frisbee golf course, nature trail, a small beach, and a small water park! The pool and water park weren’t open yet, but they looked really nice.

They have a few different sections of the park. The beach front camping sites are on grass with electric and water. There weren’t any grills, fire rings, or picnic tables; but it was really nice.

We looked through the other camp grounds and they have good tree coverage, picnic tables, grills, and full hookups. Some of the spots had really nice fire rings that were recessed into the ground. We will definitely be back to try one of those spots!

I will say that the bugs were crazy bad at the beach in the morning and at dusk. Evidently they are worse this year, so just come prepared!

Overall this was a nice, newer park and we loved our stay. The area had plenty to do and the views were next level.

We paid $22 for a site with power and water here. There is a dump station but it's right in the middle of the campground near the bathhouse, kind of an awkward location.

This was a quick overnight for us, and we didn't spend much time outside because it was pretty muggy and buggy when we stayed here at the end of February. Also, sites are paved, but ours anyway had a pretty steep dropoff to the picnic table and fire pit so the site was just an awkward feeling spot.

Sites are kind of run down but for the price we were happy.

Free hot showers. No laundry machines.

Overall a good place if you need to dump/fill/shower, but not a place I'd come to as a destination.

We really enjoyed our stay at Davis Bayou. The campground seems to be a bit dated, but we kinda enjoyed the nostalgic element this added to the vibe.

The sites vary in size, we noticed most big rigs had to park their tow vehicles or toads in the auxiliary parking. If this is a problem you may want to look at other options, as the park staff is very diligent about keeping folks off the grass.

The park staff did regular patrols though out the park. They were very friendly.

We enjoyed riding our bikes around the park and to the historic arts district in Ocean Springs. There are several restaurants and bars with live music which was fun. There are also alot of art studios to check out.

We also took our canoe all though out Davis Bayou and to the beach, which was a ton of fun. The tides are in play here, so make sure you study up as conditions can and do change rapidly.

The visitors center is definitely worth checking out and while your there make sure to check out the fishing pier.

Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, power and water.

The cost is $22 a night per site.

The bathhouses were cleaned regular and had great water pressure. The water has a bit of a smell to it.

Verizon cell service worked okay.

Bring bug spray.

One of south Mississippi's best kept secrets. This is a small campground located in the National Seashore within the city limits of Ocean Springs. The diverse ecosystem of the Bayou is fascinating and chances are very high you'll be able to see at least one large gator while you tour this park. (No worries, they're not near the campsites). The campground itself has 50 reservable sites, all with 30/50 amp electric and water. Fire rings and picnic tables are at each site also. Most are well shaded and far enough apart to be comfortable. Terrific bath house and convenient dump station. Ranger programs are offered through the visitors center which is a must see. The 20 minute video about the park's history and importance is well worth your time. Make sure to save time to tour the downtown area of Ocean Springs. It's one of the USA's top rated seaside communities.