Best Tent Camping near Gulfport, MS

Tent sites at Seneca Campground near Gulfport, Mississippi give campers good privacy while keeping bathrooms within a short walk. The ground is smooth with spacious pads that make tent setup pretty straightforward. Airey Lake Recreation Area in De Soto National Forest has several tent-friendly spots with decent shade coverage to help during hot days. Most parking areas sit close to the tent sites, so you won't have to haul your gear very far. If you're planning a trip, you should make reservations ahead of time, particularly in spring and fall when the weather turns milder. Summer camping means dealing with Mississippi's heat and humidity, which can be intense. The woods around Gulfport have plenty of wildlife, so store your food properly to keep critters out of your site. Both campgrounds connect to well-maintained roads that don't require special vehicles to access. Gulfport's camping works well whether you've been tent camping for years or are trying it for the first time.

Best Tent Sites Near Gulfport, Mississippi (8)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Gulfport, MS

257 Reviews of 8 Gulfport Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • M
    May. 17, 2020

    Davis Bayou Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Hidden Gem

    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.

  • K
    Sep. 22, 2018

    Airey Lake Recreation Area

    I love Airey Lake!

    I have been here many times. This campground is a stop halfway through the Tuxachanie trail. It is a quaint park with 4 designated campsites with tables and fire rings. However, it is very common to see tents all around the lake and other spots including secluded spots that are permissible. The campground is free of charge with no showers and a water pump by the one stall bathroom.

  • Dan D.
    Oct. 12, 2019

    Buccaneer State Park Campground

    Huge Park with Tons of Amenities

    This park is giant! There are probably over 200 sites for camping in this park with beachfront sites and even primitive drive up sites for tent camping back in the woods. The park has 2 shower areas and 4 bathrooms on site as well as multiple playgrounds for the kiddos and even a water park! It is located directly across the street from the Gulf of Mexico and has its own private beach. I stayed in the primitive camping sites for 2 nights because all other sites were reserved for the weekend and it was great. No electric hookup or water but the sites are privately tucked away in the woods and only cost 15$ per night. If you want, you can stay beachfront for 48$ and I believe the regular sites with hookups and water are around $30 per night. The park itself is very well maintained and has ice and drinks for sale in the front office. The employees are extremely nice and helpful and will even tell you about fun things to do in town while you’re there. Definitely the biggest and one of the nicest campgrounds/state parks I’ve stayed in. Worth the trip!

  • D
    Nov. 29, 2022

    Pearl River WMA - Crawford Landing

    Perfect cozy small park for camping (tent)

    Restrooms are portable, no showers, no light. There’s nothing, just space for campers. Some really big trees for a good shadow. Place really calm, quiet and perfect for what’s needed. No luxury. Check in and check out can be done right here at the entrance.

  • Brandi L.
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Presley's Outing

    Kindest owner!

    My husband, myself and our two dogs evacuated for Hurricane Ida. We reservations at a place in Alabama, but we were running out of gas on the 5mph jam-packed highway and had to stop unexpectedly. Found this place on Google, called and the owner welcomed me with open arms. This place is a hidden gem!! A beautiful beach area, immaculate grounds, restaurant that’s open on the weekends, clean showers and a vending machine for late night soda cravings! There is NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2021

    Lakeview RV Resort

    Standard RV Parking Lot w/ [Of Course] Lake View!

    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!


Guide to Gulfport

Gulfport, Mississippi, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers should check out Airey Lake Recreation Area

  • The Airey Lake Recreation Area features free camping with drinking water and vault toilets, making it a convenient spot for tent campers.
  • This area is known for its picturesque lake views and designated campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings.
  • Expect a lively atmosphere on weekends, but arrive early to secure a more secluded spot away from the crowds.

Local activities for adventurous campers

  • At Janice Landing, campers can enjoy a peaceful environment perfect for float trips along Black Creek.
  • The campground is a great launch point for exploring the surrounding natural beauty, with opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
  • Campers can also take advantage of the nearby hiking trails, providing a chance to experience the local flora and fauna.

Tent campers like these nearby features

  • The All You Need Institute - Yurt & Micro Cabin offers unique accommodations alongside traditional tent camping, perfect for those seeking a blend of comfort and nature.
  • This site is set on 111 acres, providing ample space for exploration and outdoor activities, including hiking and wildlife observation.
  • Campers can enjoy the amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, making it a well-rounded choice for a camping getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gulfport, MS?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gulfport, MS is Airey Lake Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Gulfport, MS?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Gulfport, MS, with real photos and reviews from campers.