Best Tent Camping near Purvis, MS

The forested areas surrounding Purvis, Mississippi offer several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking primitive experiences. Airey Lake Recreation Area in nearby Perkinston provides dedicated tent campsites with basic amenities, while Janice Landing in Brooklyn serves as both a boat launch and tent camping area. All You Need Institute offers designated tent camping areas with walk-in access options for those seeking more seclusion from standard drive-in sites. These tent-only campgrounds provide varying levels of amenities and accessibility within a 30-mile radius of Purvis.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Airey Lake Recreation Area offers four designated tent campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, plus additional informal tent sites around the lake. The campground provides drinking water from a spigot and a single-stall bathroom, though campers should bring their own toilet paper and supplies. Janice Landing features five tent sites total with a clean toilet facility, though the water contains sediment and may not be suitable for drinking without filtration. Sites are typically first-come, first-served with no campground host or formal check-in process. Hurricane damage has occasionally affected site availability, so checking current status before arrival is recommended.

Tent campers report finding ample space and privacy at these primitive tent camping locations. According to reviews, Airey Lake's campsites are "spaced out throughout the campground with plenty of room at each one," making it ideal for those seeking quiet backcountry tent camping experiences. The area features dark night skies perfect for stargazing, with one visitor noting the lake "gives a beautiful reflection of the night sky." The Tuxachanie trail passes through the east side of Airey Lake, making it a convenient stop for multi-day hikers. At Janice Landing, campers recommend choosing sites on the back side of the loop during warm weather weekends, as the boat launch area can become busy with day visitors using the section closest to the highway.

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Best Tent Sites Near Purvis, Mississippi (5)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Purvis, MS

1 Photos of 5 Purvis Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Purvis, MS

139 Reviews of 5 Purvis 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • steve W.
    Feb. 28, 2023

    Big Creek Water Park

    Great place

    Sites are roomy. All the things you need-electricity water fire ring and concrete picnic table. Lake playground. Bath house with flush toilets. Could use an update but not bad. Just a beautiful setting.

  • Kelly W.
    Jun. 28, 2022

    Big Biloxi Recreation Area

    Has the basics

    They say it's $20 a night, but I've stayed 3 nights and no one's been here to collect it. The shower stall in the woman's bathroom is filthy and moldy. They have fire rings, picnic tables, and electric. It's very quiet here. I probably will come again


Guide to Purvis

Tent camping near Purvis, Mississippi offers a blend of natural beauty and unique experiences, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tips for tent camping near Purvis

  • Arrive early at Airey Lake Recreation Area to secure a secluded spot, especially on busy weekends when the area can get crowded.
  • Be prepared for limited services at Janice Landing; bring all necessary supplies, as there are no trash facilities or electric hookups available.
  • If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider the All You Need Institute - Tent Camping, where you can enjoy a blend of rustic camping and community activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Purvis, MS is All You Need Institute - Yurt & Micro Cabin with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Purvis, MS, with real photos and reviews from campers.