The De Soto National Forest region surrounding Richton, Mississippi sits at approximately 260 feet above sea level, characterized by gently rolling terrain covered in southern pine forests. Several campgrounds in this area are positioned along waterways, with Turkey Fork Recreation Area offering direct lake access within Richton's boundaries. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September, while winter nights can occasionally drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Turkey Fork Rec Area provides excellent fishing access, with one visitor noting that "plenty of sites have an unhindered view of the lake" for bank fishing. Anglers should bring their own equipment as rentals aren't available.
Swimming areas: Paul B. Johnson State Park Campground features dedicated swimming facilities as noted by a camper: "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."
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching is particularly rewarding at Paul B. Johnson State Park where one visitor mentioned, "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."
Short hiking trails: Lake Perry Campground offers a scenic nature trail as one reviewer described: "The trail was a short .5 mile nature walk, but beautiful and relaxing. All around, a hidden gem."
What campers like
Lake access: Numerous campsites provide direct water views. At Lake Perry Campground, "Most sites have an unhindered view of the lake," making it ideal for those seeking water proximity.
Spacious campsites: Turkey Fork Rec Area receives praise for its layout, with one camper noting, "The sites were spaced further apart than many of the other campgrounds we've been. It was quite and peaceful."
Clean facilities: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned across multiple campgrounds. At Turkey Fork, a visitor highlighted that "these were clean and the showers were hot! Each site had a picnic table and fire ring which also seconds as a grill."
Natural setting: Campers appreciate the less manicured approach at some sites. As one Turkey Fork visitor observed, "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."
What you should know
Military training noise: Camp Shelby's proximity affects several campgrounds. A Paul B. Johnson visitor advised, "Camp Shelby is nearby, so you'll hear various noises from that (not overly distracting but I wish I would have known before arriving)."
Weather considerations: The region experiences distinct seasonal changes. A visitor at Lake Perry Campground noted, "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."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the area, particularly in more remote locations.
Reservation systems: Several campgrounds operate on a first-come basis. Lake Perry operates without reservations, as one camper mentioned: "Reservations: First-come, first-serve."
Campground age: Many facilities show their age. A Lake Perry reviewer observed, "This is a very old campground. Facilities are old."
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Hattiesburg / Okatoma River KOA offers family-friendly water features, with one visitor highlighting, "There is a lot to do within the park– swimming, fishing(no license required), basketball, a playground for children, a dog park, a dog wash station."
Multiple recreation options: Families benefit from diverse activities at Paul B. Johnson State Park, where "The park features the Lake set in a tall pine forest and was near capacity but did not feel crowded or loud."
Kid-friendly swimming: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas safe for children. At Turkey Fork Recreation Area, "The large lake has swimming, fishing, and boating so plan to be on the water all day."
Bathroom facilities: When camping with children, reliable restrooms are important. One visitor at Paul B. Johnson noted the facilities "need maintenance" while others reported clean, hot showers at other campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require leveling. At Paul B. Johnson, one camper noted, "Our site was level but not all in the park are."
Hookup configurations: RVers should prepare for varied hookup layouts. A Paul B. Johnson visitor mentioned, "The connections were quite spread out with the water pretty far back from the other connections at this site (we needed two water hoses)."
Size limitations: Forest County Multi-Purpose Events Center accommodates larger rigs, with a visitor noting, "Concrete pads, full hookups, excellent satellite reception throughout the park."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. At Lake Perry, "A large 5th wheel had to leave as there was not a site large enough. Our site, #1, was the only site the trailer would have fit."
Honor system payment: Several campgrounds use self-pay systems. At Forest County Multi-Purpose center, "Payment is the honor system. $20 on the way out!"
