Airey Lake Recreation Area accommodates pets with its spread-out campsites offering plenty of room for dogs to exercise around the lake. The primitive camping area provides multiple sites with fire pits and picnic tables on a first-come, first-serve basis. While Big Biloxi Recreation Area also welcomes pets, maintaining a spacious environment with significant distance between neighboring campsites. Most campers find the sites large and level with ample room for both tents and RVs, making them suitable for families camping with dogs. The campground gets really crowded during weekends, so arriving early secures more secluded spots away from other campers and their pets. Water access is available at both locations, with Airey Lake offering dogs swimming opportunities in its scenic lake that's popular for nighttime reflection photography.
Designated pet walking areas surround both campgrounds with connecting trails for longer explorations with leashed dogs. The Tuxachanie Trail passes through Airey Lake, providing an excellent overnight spot during multi-day hikes with canine companions. Big Biloxi features a half-mile nature trail within the campground perfect for quick dog walks. Pet waste management is important as Big Foot Horse Trail and Camp shows evidence of frequent equestrian use alongside dog traffic. Clean restroom facilities exist at both locations, though supplies can be limited - campers should bring their own toilet paper and hand sanitizer for comfort. Big Biloxi's proximity to Highway 49 (about 12 miles north of Gulfport) provides convenient access to veterinary services and pet supplies while still maintaining a remote woodland feeling alongside the Big Biloxi River.
"Decent sized lake with hiking trails and fishing.. picnic tables which makes for easy cooking when your used to nation Forrest with no amenities. Pet friendly and quiet."
"Love to go do nighttime photography here as it is away from towns and the skies are pretty dark."
"Second time at Flint Creek in Wiggins Mississippi. Stayed during the middle of January of 2021 on site 29. The back of the site backs up to the lake, with plenty of beach to fish or hangout."
"Different sections allow folks to feel like they are away from the crowds. Price is absolutely reasonable and there is night security by staff and local law enforcement."
$40 / night
"Located in the De Soto National Forest just north of Gulfport, MS, it’s an easily accessible campground whether you’re here to visit the Gulf or do some hiking on the many miles of trails through the park"
"This is a US Forest Service campground about 12 miles north of Gulfport , Mississippi but a whole world away. This is a peaceful wooded campground on the banks of the Big Biloxi River."
$22 - $100 / night
"There's plenty of walking trails, and you can check out the gator alley area where you'll typically see at least one gator."
"We escaped an early winter cold spell in Michigan and made the thousand mile trip to the Mississippi coast. It was worth the drive."
$55 / night
"Excellent location to walk to beach. Staff is friendly and accommodating. Clean. Well kept. Big dog park!"
"Very clean great access to beach and stores. Golf cart and pet friendly"
"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."
"The campground is nice and quiet with the exception of nearby shooting. There also appears to be a ton of great trails for horses, walking, running etc. Pretty spot!"
"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’s close to the highway so you hear a lot of sirens, no traffic. Front desk people were very nice. We had a pull through site, spaces are roomy, some have patios and ours has a stand alone grill."
"Miles of Hiking trails and plenty of good spots to pitch tent. Huge pond with fishing out front. Beautiful stream Running through the woods. Really? Off the beaten path but a great spot to camp."
$30 - $35 / night
"Leveling was easy, electric and water hook ups are in a good location. Decent LTE speed on my phone but my Verizon LTE router was slow. Not a great place for walking the dogs."
"Right next to I 10 so you get the traffic noise but does not bother us. Close to groceries and restaurant. Bathouse available. Reasonable. Currently $600 month. We stay Jan/Feb/March."
"Concrete is only wide enough for rig so it’s grass outside your door or some pads have a deck left by the previous long timer. Some sites get soupy with rain."
TravelerThis is a campsite of 25 lots (4 accessible) with a bathhouse and friendly camp host. Located in the De Soto National Forest just north of Gulfport, MS, it’s an easily accessible campground whether you’re here to visit the Gulf or do some hiking on the many miles of trails through the park.
Dog-friendly and clean, there is a 1/2 mile nature hike within the campground.
TravelerStarted out the day looking for a different place in De Soto National Forest, but got lost and found this campground. Was very surprised at how clean and neat the areas were. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The trail was a short .5 mile nature walk, but beautiful and relaxing. All around, a hidden gem.
GuideThis is a nice little park. Not fancy, but friendly and quiet. The office people were really nice and very accomodating. Has a small pool, showers/restrooms, and laundry. There are maybe 50% fulltime residents, but we were there for two months and never heard/saw any drama or trouble. People were friendly and kept mainly to themselves. Park has lots of shade from beautiful live oak trees and has a waterfront area that is very pretty. No dog park, but plenty of places to walk your leashed pet. There is a boat ramp around the corner and I believe the waterway connects to the river. The park is older, and some of the cement pads are cracked and heaving, but looked like people were able to level up. They mow and trim regularly, so things were neat. This isn't a new fancy park, but it was nice and quiet and we liked it. We had site 64 which was a great really long pull thru with full hookups. Our Verizon reception was good. They offer reasonable weekly and monthly prices as well as nightly. The park is off Exit 41 of I-10 about halfway between D'Iberville/Biloxi exit and Gulfport exit (both have tons of shopping). Local area has tons to do...casinos, beaches, about an hour and quarter to New Orleans, Shuckers baseball, plus tons of great food.
LegendStayed 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!
ScoutExcellent location to walk to beach. Staff is friendly and accommodating. Clean. Well kept. Big dog park!
ScoutThe primitive campsite was very nice. Even though the park was a bit crowded we still had privacy. The dog park was perfect for our two large dog, very clean. My toddler had a very easy time walking around which was a huge plus! The marsh trails were perfect for viewing wildlife. 10/10, would recommend!
GuideWe were arriving a day early and stuck in bad storms. Thank goodness they had space! The sites were very roomy and level. Utilities were near each other for easy set up. The park had a good sized dog park and lots of green space to play frisbee golf or walk.
GuideLived in the front park for 6 months. Busy with outside traffic and trains. Park in the back of base is newer and nicer. 20x40 level concrete pads. Secluded from the rest of base. Little fishing pods and trails from old golf course. Bath house with 4 separate rooms with toilets and showers. Washer and dryer. Near giant voice speaker so you won’t sleep in past 8am any day and you’ll hear any emergency. Only way out is tricky during pt hours in the morning with all the runners. Large dog park a short walk away.
TravelerAmazing staff, clean, big showers, heated pool year round, plenty of washers and driers for 24/7 laundry days, gated community, plenty of space, has its own dog park,
De Soto National Forest spans approximately 518,000 acres in southern Mississippi, with elevations ranging between 100-400 feet above sea level. The forest features a mix of longleaf pine ecosystems and wetlands, creating diverse camping conditions. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions for outdoor activities.
Hiking trails for dogs: The Tuxachanie Trail at Airey Lake Recreation Area provides excellent terrain for hiking with pets. "We only had time to briefly walk one of the trails around the lake but it was very nice," notes Michael M., who found the well-maintained path suitable for leashed dogs.
Water activities: The river access at Big Biloxi Recreation Area creates opportunities for cooling off during hot months. Located "on the banks of the Big Biloxi River," the area permits swimming and wading with pets, though visitors should check water conditions during different seasons.
Wildlife observation: Morning and evening hours offer prime wildlife viewing. "You're guaranteed to see some pretty cool wildlife and sunsets," reports Kaylin R. about Davis Bayou Campground, mentioning that visitors can "check out the gator alley area where you'll typically see at least one gator."
Spacious campsites: The privacy between sites ranks high among visitor preferences. At Big Biloxi Recreation Area, "each campsite is large and level with lots of distance between you and your neighbor," according to Cheri H., making it easier for those with pets to maintain space from other campers.
Natural water features: Lakes and rivers provide recreational opportunities beyond basic camping. Flint Creek Waterpark visitors appreciate the lake access, with one camper noting "the back of the site backs up to the lake, with plenty of beach to fish or hangout. This site would be perfect during the summer if you wanted to swim."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms matter to campers with and without pets. At Airey Lake Recreation Area, visitors found "nice clean restrooms and running water," though several reviewers recommend bringing your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds have limited availability during certain times. "It's closed, most are. This one says due to hurricane damage and public safety," reported one Airey Lake visitor in December 2020, showing the importance of checking current status before traveling.
Weather considerations: Mississippi's climate affects camping conditions significantly. According to a visitor at Flint Creek Waterpark, "Site 141 was in a very wooded area at the far end of all three RV areas. We stayed during the second weekend of Dec. weather was brisk with a small amount of rain on Saturday."
Pet management rules: While most sites allow pets, specific restrictions apply. "Most campers find the sites large and level with ample room for both tents and RVs, making them suitable for families camping with dogs," though all pets must be leashed on trails and in common areas.
Book early for holiday periods: Popular pet-friendly camping sites fill quickly during peak times. "Campground is first-come, first-serve, but when we went there were plenty of spaces available. It was quiet and peaceful with lots of space in between each group," notes Michael M. about Airey Lake Recreation Area.
Choose sites away from high-traffic areas: For those with pets, selecting more secluded spots improves the experience. One camper at Big Biloxi notes the sites are "very easy to access off Hwy. 49 but seems very remote and secluded," providing a balanced location.
Verify amenity availability: Bathroom and water access varies significantly between locations. A visitor to Big Foot Horse Trail and Camp observed "utilities are primitive but expected for a free campground. Watch where you step! Lots of horse poop," highlighting the need to prepare accordingly when bringing children and pets.
Level site challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Flint Creek Waterpark, one RVer noted, "The only issue I had with the spots were they were all uneven, but somehow I was able to level my 37' travel trailer on the first try without any leveling aids."
Water access considerations: Water hookup placement varies between sites. A Big Biloxi camper mentioned "the only thing I had negative review of was how low the water spigot was in the ground," something RV owners should prepare for with appropriate hose extensions.
Proximity to amenities: Some campgrounds offer better access to pet supplies and services. Big Biloxi's location "about 12 miles north of Gulfport" provides reasonable access to veterinary services while maintaining a natural setting for pet-friendly camping near De Soto National Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near De Soto National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near De Soto National Forest is Airey Lake Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near De Soto National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near De Soto National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
