RV parks near Petal, Mississippi typically operate at elevations of 150 to 300 feet above sea level in the Leaf River Basin. Located in Forrest County, the area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below 32°F. Many campgrounds in this region feature pine forest settings with sandy soil that drains quickly after the area's frequent summer thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground offers lake fishing with no license required within the park boundaries. "The park features the Lake set in a tall pine forest and was near capacity but did not feel crowded or loud," notes one visitor who found it an ideal overnight stop.
Disc golf courses: Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground features two 18-hole disc golf courses on the property. "Located on a massive lake and two 18 hole disc golf courses. We managed to make our way down the weekend of an ice storm and the park rangers made their rounds making sure everybody was okay and had plenty of firewood," shared a camper who visited during winter.
Walking trails: Explore the natural surroundings on designated paths at many campgrounds. "There are walking trails that look lovely," noted a visitor at Hattiesburg / Okatoma River KOA, where you can also "start your day by checking in and doing one of the two kayaking trips this place has to offer and end your day by the fire right next to the river."
What campers like
Quiet, rural settings: Many rv parks near Petal, Mississippi provide peaceful environments away from city noise. One camper at Four Seasons RV Park noted, "This is a small private campground. Sites were roomy and mgm't was very helpful. They have a nice 'laundry' room and can't beat $1.50/washer & $1.00 for dryer. A short drive to Hattiesburg."
Lakeside sites: Several campgrounds offer waterfront camping spots. "We had a level site on a lovely pond, with a friendly duck," said one visitor to Hattiesburg / Okatoma River KOA, while another camper at Paul B. Johnson noted their site was "lakeside on a hill leading down to a pier that jutted into the lake."
Swimming options: Water recreation during hot months is popular in the area. Magnolia Sands RV Park has "a nice little pool. Nothing fancy, but just what the kids needed," according to one reviewer. Paul B. Johnson offers "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."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings higher temperatures and humidity to the region. "During winter months, park rangers make rounds ensuring campers have firewood," reported one visitor during an ice storm at Paul B. Johnson.
Site variations: Campground quality and amenities vary significantly across the area. At Sleepy Hollow RV Park, "many of the spots were cement and beautifully leveled," while at Shady Cove RV Park, "the sites were soft/sandy and not super level. My in-laws had their front tires of the RV off the ground after leveling."
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or facilities. "Highway noise and trains are a bit loud but nothing unbearable. Maybe stay at other end of campground," suggested one camper at Sleepy Hollow RV Park. At Paul B. Johnson, "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
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Several RV parks in Petal, Mississippi and surrounding areas cater to families. "There was a playground area right there between the pool and dog run," noted a visitor at Shady Cove RV Park, which also features fishing opportunities where "fishing is catch-and-release during the week but you can keep a certain number of fish on the weekends."
Consider splash pads: Water features provide relief during hot Mississippi summers. "They have a splash pad for the kids and a disc golf course! Definitely recommend!" shared a camper at Paul B. Johnson State Park.
Check for pet amenities: Many parks welcome four-legged family members. At Sleepy Hollow RV Park, "we were able to bring all of our pups to the enclosed dog play area that had a great big shade tree to run and run and run. Poop bags and garbage cans were convenient there and throughout the park."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: When staying at RV parks near Petal, Mississippi, choose your site carefully. "Our site was level but not all in the park are. All the utilities worked well and we were able to get TV over our antenna and our Verizon phone and internet worked great," noted a visitor to Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground.
Hookup placement: Be prepared for varied utility layouts at some parks. At Paul B. Johnson, "the connections were quite spread out with the water pretty far back from the other connections at this site (we needed two water hoses)."
Accessibility considerations: Some parks have challenging navigation. "Lots of turns so go slow and know your rig," advised a visitor to Magnolia Sands RV Park, where "concrete pads are large enough to handle most 'big rigs'." At Paul B. Johnson, "the roads in the campground are narrow, two-lane roads but are not conducive to two RVs passing one another."
