Best Tent Camping near Ocean Springs, MS
Tent camping options in the Ocean Springs area of Mississippi include several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Shepard State Park Campground in nearby Gautier offers primitive tent sites with privacy and access to marsh trails, while Airey Lake Recreation Area in Perkinston provides more rustic tent camping opportunities with access to hiking trails and fishing.
Tent sites at Shepard State Park feature fire rings and picnic tables, with nearby access to recently renovated restrooms and shower facilities. Water spigots are available throughout the campground, and the primitive tent area is strategically located near several trailheads. Airey Lake offers more basic accommodations with designated campsites containing fire pits scattered around the lake. Campers should prepare for minimal amenities, as the single-stall restroom at Airey Lake may not always have toilet paper. The campground is first-come, first-served with no formal check-in process and limited drinking water from a pump near the restroom.
The forested setting at Shepard State Park provides ample shade and natural buffers between sites for increased privacy. "The primitive campsite was very nice. Even though the park was a bit crowded we still had privacy," noted one camper. Trails offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly along the marsh areas. Airey Lake Recreation Area attracts hikers from the Tuxachanie trail, which passes through the eastern side of the property, making it a convenient overnight stop for backpackers. The lake itself offers peaceful scenery and fishing opportunities, though weekend visitors should arrive early to secure one of the limited designated sites. Both locations experience seasonal fluctuations in visitation, with weekends being considerably busier than weekdays at these tent campgrounds near Ocean Springs.
