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Best Tent Camping near Hattiesburg, MS

131 Reviews

Tent campers seeking outdoor experiences near Hattiesburg, Mississippi can choose from several rustic campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Airey Lake Recreation Area in the De Soto National Forest offers primitive tent camping with basic amenities and lake access, while Janice Landing provides boat-in and drive-in tent sites along Black Creek. Both locations feature natural settings typical of the piney woods region of southern Mississippi.

Most primitive tent sites in the Hattiesburg area operate on a first-come, first-served basis with varying levels of amenities. Airey Lake offers designated campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, plus access to running water from a spigot and a single-stall bathroom facility. Campers should bring their own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Janice Landing provides more limited facilities with basic toilets but sediment-heavy water that may require filtering. Several locations permit fires in designated rings, though seasonal restrictions may apply during dry periods.

The tent camping experience near Hattiesburg often includes access to hiking trails and water recreation opportunities. Campsites at Airey Lake are positioned around a small lake with the Tuxachanie Trail passing nearby. A camper noted that "the campsites are spaced out throughout the campground, with plenty of room at each one," making it suitable for those seeking some privacy. At Okatoma Water Park, tent campers can find flat ground with "ample trees with perfect spacing for hammock camping" according to a visitor. Weekend traffic can increase at popular sites, particularly those serving as access points for water activities like kayaking and canoeing on Black Creek and the Okatoma River. Most primitive tent areas lack cell service, offering a true disconnect from urban life.

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Best Tent Sites Near Hattiesburg, Mississippi (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hattiesburg, MS

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Tent Camping Reviews near Hattiesburg, MS

131 Reviews of 6 Hattiesburg 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!

  • Lynn G.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Turkey Fork Rec Area

    De Soto National Forest

    This is a nice little fishing-focused area within the northern part of large national forest. The large lake has swimming, fishing, and boating so plan to be on the water all day. There is a nice shady area along the lake with picnic tables and grills. The hiking trail is very short. We spent half a day here relaxing while on a road trip and the mellow atmosphere was just perfect. Convenient to and from Hattiesburg/rt 59 as well as from Mobile.

    Yay: Campground is nice and shady and all the sites are close to the water. Clean with basic facilities. Simple but nice nature setting. Close to trails in the national forest.

    Nay: No complaints, but if you don’t have a boat there’s not much to do on site.

    Surprise: They stock the lake with fish. Loved walking out onto the pier.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • K
    Aug. 28, 2018

    Okatoma Water Park

    Great flat ground for tent camping

    Great flat ground for tent camping. We were in campsite 3 and it was huge. Perfect for a scout troop or other large group. Also had ample trees with perfect spacing for hammock camping.

    Close bathroom is a bit of a dump, full of spiderwebs, and unclean, but if you walk to the new trading post across the street, there are nice bathrooms.

    picnic tables and trash cans at each campsite. Close location to canoe and kayak rentals.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2024

    Lake Perry Campground

    Fishing, Fishing, and Fishing

    Lake Perry, Beaumont, MS: We stopped for an overnight stay. Worked fine. Most sites have an unhindered view of the lake. Currently, the fallen brown leaves and leafless deciduous trees do not make this campground inviting. I imagine the scenery is much more attractive in spring and into fall. However ,must be gorgeous those two times of year. This is a very old campground. Facilities are old. To Do: Fish and fish. The host, Joey, will go out of his way for you. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 3.5 Price 2023: $ 15 for seniors. Security: No gate Usage during visit: 10% Site Privacy: None Site Spacing: A few sites are closer than desirable. Most are okay. Site surface: Concrete Reservations: First-come, first-serve Campground Noise: Quiet, but one site did not try to control their dachshund’s barking. I hope this isn’t indicative of usual behavior. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: Flush. Very old, but Showers: Very ugly Pull Throughs: No Cell Service (AT&T): Okay Setting: View of lake. Host: Yes Rig Size: A large 5 th wheel had to leave as there was not a site large enough. Our site, #1, was the only site the trailer would have fit.

Guide to Hattiesburg

Primitive tent camping options near Hattiesburg, Mississippi provide varied experiences across the piney woods region of southern Mississippi. The area features sandy soil with longleaf pine forests and blackwater streams typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Seasonal considerations include hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters where nighttime temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing.

What to do

Creek floating trips: Janice Landing serves as a popular access point for Black Creek float trips. "We are an older couple but love NF camping... Apparently this is a landing point for float trips," notes Chris R., who stayed at Janice Landing. The boat launch gets busy during warm weather weekends.

Night sky photography: The distance from urban centers creates opportunities for stargazing. The natural darkness allows for better astronomical viewing compared to areas closer to city lights. Airey Lake Recreation Area offers particularly good conditions for this activity.

Trail hiking: The 111-acre All You Need Institute property offers extensive exploration opportunities for hikers. "This place is a labor of LOVE! 111 Acres to be explored with unique and comfy accommodations," mentions Ashley F. about the property.

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: At Airey Lake Recreation Area, campers appreciate the ability to find quiet spaces. "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. Gets really crowded during weekends but if you get there early, you can find a secluded spot," explains Gregory H.

River access: Proximity to water is valued by tent campers. At Okatoma Water Park, "The primitive grounds were spaced far enough apart and some were right on the river," according to Luis V., who paid $80 for two people to kayak and camp primitively.

Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate no-cost sites. Katherine H. notes about Airey Lake, "The campground is free of charge with no showers and a water pump by the one stall bathroom." This accessibility makes it attractive for short stays.

What you should know

Facility limitations: Basic amenities mean preparation is essential. At Janice Landing, Chris R. warns, "Make sure you have what you need as services are limited. No cell coverage." Similarly, Michael M. advises for Airey Lake, "There is a toilet and sink, but I would bring your own toilet paper, handsoap/sanitizer, etc."

Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water access but questionable potability. "Water on site but not sure I would drink it as there was a lot of sediment," notes Chris R. about Janice Landing facilities. Filtering or bringing drinking water is advised.

Weekend crowding: Popular sites fill quickly on weekends. Gregory H. mentions about Airey Lake, "Gets really crowded during weekends but if you get there early, you can find a secluded spot."

Tips for camping with families

Scout-friendly sites: Large, flat camping areas accommodate groups well. Keeley F. describes Okatoma Water Park: "We were in campsite 3 and it was huge. Perfect for a scout troop or other large group. Also had ample trees with perfect spacing for hammock camping."

Bathroom access planning: Facilities vary significantly between sites. At Okatoma Water Park, Luis V. experienced issues during high water: "The river was high so the camp showers and restrooms were backed up. The second set of restrooms were open."

Nature education opportunities: Wildlife viewing and plant identification activities engage children. The varied ecosystems from pine forests to blackwater creeks provide learning opportunities about native species and habitats.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most primitive tent camping areas near Hattiesburg have limited access for larger vehicles. None of the sites listed are marked as big-rig friendly, making them better suited for smaller camping setups and vehicles with good ground clearance.

Weather impact awareness: Seasonal conditions affect site accessibility. Donald L. from Janice Landing advises choosing sites strategically: "Warm weather weekend campers should probably choose a site on back side of loop as the boat launch gets pretty busy."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hattiesburg, MS is Janice Landing with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Hattiesburg, MS, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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