Picayune, Mississippi sits in the southeastern portion of the state, with an elevation of 50 feet above sea level and a humid subtropical climate that creates mild winters and hot, humid summers. The surrounding pine forests and waterways shape camping options, with most campgrounds offering water access for recreation. Sites can become waterlogged after heavy rains, especially in low-lying areas near rivers.
What to do
River tubing adventures: At McLeod Park Campground, the Jordan River offers excellent tubing and kayaking opportunities. "Great campsites, love the view of the river and the nature hike, plus being able to bring the boat!" notes Rebecca H. The park features boat launches with direct river access for day trips.
Waterslides and swimming: Flint Creek Waterpark offers lake-fed water recreation including slides and multiple swimming areas. A reviewer mentions, "The water park has a ton of slides and will keep kids young and old entertained sliding down the hill into the lake." The waterpark admission costs approximately $12 per person.
Wildlife observation: Bogue Chitto State Park Campground provides opportunities to spot diverse wildlife including alligators. As Cat R. warns, "Literally, don't feed the gators. There were signs everywhere. Apparently many people don't heed the signs. When my hubby rustled a bag, several alligators swam right up to our site!" Designated observation areas allow for safe viewing.
Fishing access: Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities on Geiger Lake. "The sites were lakeside on a hill leading down to a pier that jutted into the lake," reports Layla D. Multiple fishing piers and lake access points accommodate anglers of all experience levels.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the site spacing at Wolf River Resort. According to Keisha D., "The sites are very spaced out and well maintained. The staff was friendly and very pleasant." This provides a more secluded experience compared to more crowded campgrounds in the region.
Well-maintained facilities: McLeod Park Campground receives praise for its upkeep and amenities. Jeffrey Z. reports, "Nearly every site has a level concrete pad and many have full hookups. Lots of trees. There is a nice nature trail and playground." The park's splash pad and playground are frequently mentioned positives.
Lakefront access: Waterfront sites rank highly among camper preferences. At Flint Creek Waterpark, Johnnie S. notes, "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." Many sites back directly to water for fishing or swimming access.
Multiple camping zones: Land-O-Pines Family Campground offers various camping areas with different vibes. Nicole R. describes it as an "Older campground with small pool and older water slide but very homey. Shades and grass and dirt roads. Awesome creek that the kids have a blast in." The creek provides natural water play areas separate from pool facilities.
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Insects can be problematic in summer months. One McLeod Park visitor warns, "The roaches THE ROACHES WERE HORRIBLE. Especially at night as soon as you'd open up the door they were flying EVERYWHERE, we camped in August." Bring insect repellent and keep food sealed, especially in warmer months.
Uneven terrain: Many sites require leveling equipment. At Flint Creek Waterpark, Johnnie S. noted, "The only issue I had with the spots were they were all uneven, but somehow I was able to level my 37' travel trailer on the first try without any leveling aids." Bring leveling blocks for most area campgrounds.
Reservation difficulties: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. At McLeod Park, one camper explains, "Now that they do online cannot get available spots. No update if spot comes available. Great camping spot but to get in almost impossible now." Reserve sites 3-6 months in advance for weekend stays.
Tips for camping with families
Halloween festivities: Land-O-Pines Family Campground offers exceptional holiday programming. David D. shares, "Great site..we went for Halloween weekend and there were alot of activities and trick or treating for the kids..great campsite great memories." The campground typically decorates extensively with organized activities throughout October weekends.
Water play options: Multiple swimming areas at several campgrounds provide options for different ages. According to Nancy A. at Flint Creek, "The best sites are the first come first serve sites. These sites are in the Mohawk area. I would avoid the Kahaka area if you want a beach area as there isn't one." Beach areas provide safer swimming for smaller children.
Splash pad access: Campgrounds with splash pads offer cooling options during hot months. Ann H. says about McLeod Park, "They have a splash pad and playground for the kids. The bathhouse only has two showers. There isn't alot of water pressure." Splash pads typically operate from March through October, weather permitting.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on specific needs rather than just availability. At Paul B. Johnson, Nancy W. advises, "We were camping with some friends and we both have 45' RVs so we picked two side by side pull-thrus. However, all those pull-thru sites were super close together and right on top of the people on each side of us. We decided to go find other back-in sites and were glad we did."
Utility positioning: Be prepared with extra hoses and power cords. A camper at McLeod Park notes, "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)." Most sites require at least 25 feet of water hose and 30 feet of electrical cord.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. At Hidden Oaks Family Campground, Robert M. reports, "Traveling through for the night. Just a few minutes from the interstate. Spacious sites." This accessibility makes it a good option for overnight stays while maintaining connectivity for remote work needs.
