De Soto National Forest spans over 500,000 acres across southern Mississippi, with campgrounds scattered throughout pine forests and along waterways. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Terrain varies from sandy creek bottoms to upland pine forests with moderate elevation changes.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake and creek access at Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground provides multiple fishing spots on Geiger Lake. "Had a beautiful view of the water where you could fish. This spot was so quiet and peaceful, no road noise was heard the entire 3 days," reports one camper.
Disc golf: Full 18-hole courses available for players of all skill levels. "Located on a massive lake and two 18 hole disc golf courses," writes a visitor who appreciated the recreational options beyond water activities.
Nature trails: Moderate hiking routes through pine forests with wildlife viewing opportunities. "We did a small amount of hiking on a very nice, easy trail. We were only sorry we didn't have time to paddle in the lake and explore more of the park," notes a reviewer about their limited time to enjoy all activities.
Geocaching: Hidden caches throughout the forest provide a family-friendly treasure hunt experience. "The region offers hiking trails, geocaching opportunities, and wildlife observation," explains a regular visitor who enjoys this tech-enhanced outdoor activity.
What campers like
Off-season tranquility: Winter camping at McLeod Park Campground offers a different experience than summer crowds. "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."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn opportunities to spot native species near campsites and water features. "We enjoyed watching geese and ducks on Geiger Lake in the morning," mentions a camper who appreciates birdwatching opportunities.
Halloween camping: Seasonal decorations create a festive atmosphere at many campgrounds in October. "We stayed here during Halloween and it was pretty crowded. We prefer more secluded camping sites, and this campground provides plenty of space despite being so packed. There were several RV campgrounds that had decorations and trick-or-treating," shares a reviewer about their autumn experience.
Security features: Staff presence provides peace of mind at Wiggins Campground & RV Park. "Nice and quit. Security cameras throw out the park. Have handicap bathrooms and Laundry room. Very clean throw out the park. Place to walk your dogs."
What you should know
Site variations: Leveling requirements differ significantly between older and newer sites. "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," notes one visitor about site conditions.
Military presence: Training noise from nearby Camp Shelby may be audible at some campgrounds. "Camp Shelby is nearby, so you'll hear various noises from that (not overly distracting but I wish I would have known before arriving)."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for insects and local animal interactions, especially in warmer months. "We did encounter coyote, deer, and lots of talkative geese, so be prepared for some wildlife interaction," warns a camper about potential wildlife encounters.
Tent site surfaces: Concrete pads at Gulfport KOA Holliday present staking challenges. "Only issue is the tent sites are gravelled with concrete underneath. Kinda impossible to stake a tent. For one night not a big problem a longer stay would require an alternative way to stake your tent."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Multiple options for children of different ages at most lakeside campgrounds. "The water park has a ton of slides and will keep kids young and old entertained sliding down the hill into the lake," explains an enthusiastic family visitor.
Playground facilities: Modern equipment provides land-based entertainment options. "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."
Splash pad access: Seasonal water play areas offer relief from summer heat at Sugar Sands Campground. "Clean and nature at his best, peace full family oriented. Waterfront with swimming and canoeing! Concession area and multiple clean showers and bathrooms, open all year!"
Site selection for families: Waterfront vs. wooded options provide different experiences. "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Multiple hose requirements at some sites due to unusual utility layouts. "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)."
Site privacy considerations: Spacing varies significantly between campground areas at Keesler AFB FamCamp. "Clean, lots of space between each concrete slab, and the host is very friendly. We go there every winter."
Access challenges: Low-hanging branches on approach roads can damage taller rigs. "The drive in was sketchy for a high profile 5th wheel, with low hanging trees and narrow streets."
Waterside site selection: Deck style sites limit equipment setup space but provide direct water access. "The spots are big, although there are a few waterside ones that are more of a deck style and limit lateral space."
