The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near De Soto National Forest

309 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites in De Soto National Forest offer a variety of settings for primitive camping experiences in southern Mississippi. Airey Lake Recreation Area provides designated tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables in a serene woodland setting. The free primitive campground features several designated sites situated around a small lake, with additional unofficial spots commonly used by campers seeking more seclusion.

Most tent camping areas near De Soto National Forest provide basic amenities for primitive camping. Airey Lake Recreation Area offers running water from a spigot, vault toilets, and designated fire rings at established sites. Many areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no formal check-in process. A camper noted that "the campsites are spaced out throughout the campground, with plenty of room at each one." Toilet facilities are typically single-stall structures where bringing personal supplies is recommended. Camping is free at several locations, though amenities are correspondingly minimal.

The natural setting provides tent campers with peaceful forest environments and access to hiking trails. The Tuxachanie Trail passes through Airey Lake Recreation Area, making it convenient for backpackers doing multi-day hikes. A visitor commented that Airey Lake "gives a beautiful reflection of the night sky" due to minimal light pollution. Privacy between tent sites varies by location, with weekends typically seeing higher usage, particularly during spring months. Many primitive tent sites allow direct access to fishing opportunities in lakes and streams. While some tent camping areas may experience seasonal closures due to weather conditions or maintenance needs, the mild Mississippi climate generally permits year-round tent camping throughout much of the forest when sites are open.

Map showing campgrounds near De Soto National Forest, MississippiExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near De Soto National Forest (8)

Show More
Showing results 1-8 of 8 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

De Soto National Forest Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near De Soto National Forest

4 Photos of 8 De Soto National Forest Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near De Soto National Forest

309 Reviews of 8 De Soto National Forest Campgrounds

  • Layla D.
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground

    Beauty to Behold at Paul B

    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!

  • Sheep S.
    Mar. 15, 2021

    Lake Perry Campground

    Pleasant Surpise

    Started 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.

  • Whitney S.
    Oct. 7, 2018

    Big Biloxi Recreation Area

    Spacious Lots & Easy Locaion

    This 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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2022

    Buccaneer State Park Campground

    Nice 3 Day Stay

    Enjoyed spending 3 nights in this large, family oriented state park campground. Camped in a camper van, but most sites appear to be big rig friendly. About a half-dozen freight trains pass close by the campground; noisy, especially where we camped in the Treaure Cove loop. There is also some vehicle noise on a nearby road as well. Didn't bother us, though. Stayed in site 106. Nicely wooded with some, but not much, privacy. Probably not a good spot if charging with solar panels. Restroom/shower houses appear to be we maintained. Sites have water, electric & sewer hookups. Sites are also suitable for tent camping. Can't say anything about the staff since I did not interact with them much. Long walk to the edge of the gulf; not much of a beach near the campground entrance, but nice beaches, with places to park, a short drive east & west of the park. Good AT&T & T-mobile data service. No Wifi.

  • M
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground

    Nice lake soso park

    Ok so I just tent camped here this past weekend in June. When I got to my campsite there was still trash everywhere. Mainly charcoal coals dumped next to the picnic table loaded with cigarettes. There was no fire ring so you could basically start a fire anywhere which I thought was strange. My neighbors were fine but there are no rules on what people can do. Trucks with boat trails were all over the place and most halfway on the road. I was fine driving around but I couldn’t imagine pulling a trailer through it. No camp store so that was a bummer. The registration office was so old and smelly I didn’t want to be in there. Not that there was much to it. The bathrooms were ok. Not dirty but old and hot. What I did like was the night sky. I saw lots of stars. Riding my bike around. Lots of roads for cruising. If you have a boat air Jets skis you would like this better. It just wasn’t for me.

  • Ron L.
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground

    Clean and beautiful camp ground

    I did my first overnight camp to test out my gear and setup on my own. Hwy 49, the main road leading to the State Park is under construction, but I was still able to enter the park without issues. On the day I went you had to use the honor system and paid $17.00 for primitive tent camping. As I rode through the park, I took note of how clean it was and had restrooms sprinkled about along with dumpsters. I explored the primitive area before deciding on a spot. I picked a spot that had a clear view of the lake to take advantage of the wind coming off the lake. I cooked up dinner and collected some wood laying on the ground and made a campfire, in the fire ring that was made by the Boy Scouts, it was marked with their troop number. After the fire died down, I went inside the tent to dose off. I was awoken to some banging noise and men talking. I assumed that they were setting up their camp a few spots from me. They finally calmed down and I went back to sleep. In the morning I tore down camp and packed it up on my bike but before riding off I went to see what the deal was with the banging last night, to find that the men were actually striping wire and left a huge mess. On the way out I spotted a grounds worker and told them about the incident. It must have been a big deal, because I saw 3 Law enforcement vehicles headed that way on the way out of the park.

  • Napunani
    Jun. 10, 2023

    Buccaneer State Park Campground

    BUCCANEER STATE PARK

    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

  • Alicia L.
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Turkey Fork Rec Area

    Quiet, Clean and Spacious

    We ventured to this campground not knowing what to expect. It did not disappoint! The sites were spaced further apart than many of the other campgrounds we've been. It was quite and peaceful. There were only a few other folks camping at the same time as us but we spoke to a Park Ranger who mentioned it does fill up sometimes on peak weekends. We camp in a pop-up so we rely on the bath houses - these were clean and the showers were hot! Each site had a picnic table and fire ring which also seconds as a grill. I didn't scout out every site but ours was in excellent condition.  They don't "over-manicure" the space between the lake and campsites so it feels more natural and tucked into nature than other places we've been (which we prefer). Better for the environment.  Each RV site had a decent sized parking pad, water hook up, electric hook up; no greywater drain so make sure you take a basin. The sewer dump/trash are located just as you exit the campground like most places. There's also a primitive section where you park in a lot and walk to your site (those were $7/night). We were there during the 2020 Covid debacle so payment was made to the honor box. I assume it's always like that but that may not be true when there isn't a pandemic.  There are two different swimming areas and a boat dock just across the lake from the camp. Highly recommend!

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2018

    Davis Bayou Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Quaint and Beautiful

    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.

Guide to De Soto National Forest

Tent camping in De Soto National Forest provides access to over 500,000 acres of southern Mississippi wilderness with longleaf pine forests and blackwater streams. The forest spans across portions of six Mississippi counties with elevations ranging from 100 to 400 feet above sea level. During summer months, temperatures commonly reach into the 90s with high humidity, while winters remain mild enough for year-round camping opportunities.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Several recreation areas provide access to fishing, including Janice Landing on Black Creek. "Black creek float trip" notes camper Brad O., describing one of the popular paddling routes accessible from the landing.

Hiking trails: The Tuxachanie Trail offers multi-day hiking options. According to Katherine H. at Airey Lake Recreation Area, "This campground is a stop halfway through the Tuxachanie trail" making it convenient for backpackers needing an overnight stay during longer treks.

Disc golf courses: Some parks in the region offer disc golf facilities. As K S. mentions about Shepard State Park Campground, "my wife and I played disc golf there. It was also a decent course."

Nature photography: The forest provides excellent wildlife viewing and night sky photography opportunities. Chris R. at Janice Landing advises, "Make sure you have what you need as services are limited. No cell coverage."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at certain campgrounds. Michael M. notes about Airey Lake, "It was quiet and peaceful with lots of space in between each group."

Budget-friendly options: Free or low-cost camping is available throughout the forest. Gregory H. describes Airey Lake Recreation Area as a "Free spot with drinking water. Vault toilet. A few actual spots with fire pits and tables, but lots of make shift spots around the lake."

Natural surroundings: The forest setting appeals to those seeking quiet camping experiences. Simon C. at Shepard State Park notes, "Sites are affordable and not too close together," while adding information about amenities: "$8 bundles of firewood at the camp store. Fire rings and charcoal grills at every RV site."

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution allows for excellent stargazing opportunities. Yesenia, who camped at Shepard State Park with family, reports that "The marsh trails were perfect for viewing wildlife. 10/10, would recommend!"

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Some camping areas experience temporary closures due to weather or maintenance. Richard C. reported at Airey Lake: "It's closed, most are. This one says due to hurricane damage and public safety. They can't get around to fixing it but sure can show up to tell you to leave."

Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary widely across camping areas. Kimsey C. observed about Airey Lake facilities: "The bathroom was a single toilet and sink. While relatively clean, this is definitely a bring your own TP bathroom."

Proximity to roads: Some campsites may experience noise from nearby roads. Jeremy W. mentioned about Airey Lake: "It's pretty close to the road and the drive in loop has cars making noise and lights all night."

Weekday vs. weekend crowds: According to donald L. at Janice Landing, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly trails: Some areas offer trails suitable for younger hikers. At Shepard State Park Campground, Yesenia shared that "The primitive campsite was very nice. Even though the park was a bit crowded we still had privacy. My toddler had a very easy time walking around which was a huge plus!"

Pet accommodations: For families traveling with pets, Bianca B. notes about Shepard State Park: "I love this park, camp sites are well spaced and private with some water fronting on the Pascagoula River."

Recreation options: Multiple activities keep children engaged. Simon C. highlights the variety at Shepard State Park: "There is a disc golf course, an archery range, and a large multi-use field as well as a small boat launch."

Safety considerations: Some areas have limited oversight. Kimsey C. observed: "Nice, quiet, free campground. This campground has no security & is not locked at night."

Tips for RVers

Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger vehicles. At Shepard State Park, Trey C. reports, "We stayed at site 24 on the last trip. It was challenging to back into this site with a 34' travel trailer but we finally prevailed. Other sites appeared easier to access."

Hookup availability: Electrical connections are available at select sites. As Doug M. describes Shepard State Park Campground: "Nice campground set in the forest. The roads in the park could use a little attention. The bathroom next to my site was freshly remodeled, and clean."

Dump stations: RVers need to plan for waste disposal. Bianca B. notes about Shepard State Park: "Water and electric at each site with dump station at the entrance. Can't beat the price at $18 a night, reservations available on their website."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near De Soto National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent 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 tent camping near De Soto National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near De Soto National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring

  2. View all Mississippi cities for camping