Glamping in Hattiesburg, Mississippi offers both lakeside and forest experiences in the Piney Woods region, where summer temperatures typically exceed 90°F from June through September. The area's 59-inch average annual rainfall keeps the landscape lush year-round, though it can create muddy conditions at less-developed campsites during spring and fall.
What to do
Water recreation on Geiger Lake: At Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy multiple water activities including swimming and fishing. One visitor notes, "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."
Disc golf courses: The park offers well-maintained courses for disc golf enthusiasts. According to a reviewer, "They have a splash pad for the kids and a disc golf course! Definitely recommend!"
Nature trails and bird watching: Several parks provide hiking opportunities with wildlife viewing. A camper shared, "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."
Lake fishing: Flint Creek Waterpark provides excellent fishing opportunities from the shore. "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."
What campers like
Lakeside camping spots: Many campers appreciate sites that offer direct water views. At Hattiesburg / Okatoma River KOA, "Our level site was on a lovely pond, with a friendly duck. This is the first architecturally designed KOA facility I've seen in two years of camping in our RV."
Peace and quiet: Campers frequently mention the tranquil settings available. One reviewer noted, "This is a very pleasant campground that is well maintained. The campground surrounds a lake with other lakes on the property for fishing."
Accessible nature: The natural setting combined with convenient amenities is highly valued. A visitor shared, "Site 141 was in a very wooded area at the far end of all three RV areas... 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."
Dog-friendly facilities: For those traveling with pets, certain campgrounds offer special amenities. At the KOA, "I wish we'd brought our dog because they had a professional quality bathing/grooming room with a professional dog dryer."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites in the area require leveling equipment. One camper noted, "Only thing negative about the site was that it was not level. I had to add an extra step to get in and out of my travel trailer."
Weekend crowds vs. weekday calm: Consider timing your visit for quieter experiences. "The weekend we were there in November was jammed packed but it seems to clear out during the week when kids go back to school. There were lots of people aimlessly driving around in golf carts, kids running through our site, and plenty of loud music."
Primitive options: For those seeking a more rustic experience, All You Need Institute offers unique accommodation types. The property features "111 Acres to be explored with unique and comfy accommodations," though one visitor warned about bugs, noting "big spiders all over the place, and ants nests everywhere."
Military noise: Some campgrounds are located near military facilities. "Camp Shelby is nearby, so you'll hear various noises from that (not overly distracting but I wish I would have known before arriving)."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options for different ages: Multiple swimming areas cater to various age groups. "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."
Halloween camping events: For fall visits, consider the special activities. At Flint Creek Waterpark, "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."
Group-friendly layouts: Certain areas accommodate family gatherings well. As one camper explained, "What we like about Paul B is that if you have a group of friends, you can probably get a bunch of spots in the same area and take over a section of the park and hang out all weekend nearby."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Plan for potentially challenging water connections. "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 selection strategy: Big Creek Water Park offers various site types. "Most sites accommodate big rigs, but there are a few tent sites as well. Popular campground; recommend reservations. Most sites are large with good separation between them. Wooded, but almost no privacy between sites."
Road navigation awareness: Be prepared for narrow roads in some parks. "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."
Propane availability: Some locations offer on-site services. "The park people were especially helpful, and you can get your propane tank filled at the park."
