The best waterside camping in Mississippi

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Mississippi’s Gulf Coast might be the most well-known camping area in this Southern state, but excellent options can also be found further inland. Tour the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, find a patch of the Appalachian Mountains, or set up on lakeshores. Campers will find 25 state parks, numerous National Park Service units, recreation areas, and national forests, as well as deluxe RV parks and everything in between.

98% (1.7K) 23 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Mississippi

Tishomingo State Park

1. Tishomingo State Park

100%
(7)
69 sites · Tishomingo, Mississippi
Discover Tishomingo State Park's rugged beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
De Soto National Forest

2. De Soto National Forest

78%
(9)
79 sites · Beaumont, Mississippi
Lush rolling terrain and wide slow creeks are trademarks of the De Soto National Forest. So are kickin’ it in a canoe with a brew while you float down the river, we suggest exploring both! The swamplands here offer ample opportunity for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing on the Black Creek National Scenic River. The primitive camping along the way is hot in the summer, but prime for misty morning photography and inky orange sunsets...worth it! Off-road the Rattlesnake Bay Trail or hike the Tuxachanie trail with your crew for a day of laughs deep in the pines. You can pretty much camp forever here too, so pack up a week or two worth of gear, and really dig deep into what Desoto has to offer.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Enid Lake

3. Enid Lake

33%
(3)
260 sites · Water Valley, Mississippi
Enid Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Anglers Alike.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Okatibbee Lake

4. Okatibbee Lake

100%
(1)
65 sites · Collinsville, Mississippi
Discover Okatibbee Lake's serene waters and lush forests for outdoor fun.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Natchez State Park

5. Natchez State Park

86%
(7)
68 sites · Morgantown, Mississippi
Discover Natchez State Park's natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Grenada Lake

6. Grenada Lake

137 sites · Coffeeville, Mississippi
Grenada Lake: A scenic retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Bienville National Forest

7. Bienville National Forest

34 sites · Forest, Mississippi
Bienville National Forest is ready to welcome you with outdoor adventure and the sweetest southern charm! With over 178,000 acres to explore, this gorgeous forest is perfect for those who want to take it slow. Sunset watching and family camping are top notch, and the incredible Shockaloe Horse Trail offers both riders and hikers 23 miles of forest meandering. Anglers and boating enthusiasts can troll Marathon Lake, the bass fishing is a good as the scenery, and the camping accommodations offer as little or as much solitude as you like. Visiting Bienville is like greeting an old friend, warm and with a smile.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast might be the most well-known camping area in this Southern state, but excellent options can also be found further inland. Tour the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, find a patch of the Appalachian Mountains, or set up on lakeshores. Campers will find 25 state parks, numerous National Park Service units, recreation areas, and national forests, as well as deluxe RV parks and everything in between.

98% (1.7K) 23 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Mississippi

Tishomingo State Park

1. Tishomingo State Park

100%
(7)
69 sites · Tishomingo, Mississippi
Discover Tishomingo State Park's rugged beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
De Soto National Forest

2. De Soto National Forest

78%
(9)
79 sites · Beaumont, Mississippi
Lush rolling terrain and wide slow creeks are trademarks of the De Soto National Forest. So are kickin’ it in a canoe with a brew while you float down the river, we suggest exploring both! The swamplands here offer ample opportunity for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing on the Black Creek National Scenic River. The primitive camping along the way is hot in the summer, but prime for misty morning photography and inky orange sunsets...worth it! Off-road the Rattlesnake Bay Trail or hike the Tuxachanie trail with your crew for a day of laughs deep in the pines. You can pretty much camp forever here too, so pack up a week or two worth of gear, and really dig deep into what Desoto has to offer.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Enid Lake

3. Enid Lake

33%
(3)
260 sites · Water Valley, Mississippi
Enid Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Anglers Alike.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Okatibbee Lake

4. Okatibbee Lake

100%
(1)
65 sites · Collinsville, Mississippi
Discover Okatibbee Lake's serene waters and lush forests for outdoor fun.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Natchez State Park

5. Natchez State Park

86%
(7)
68 sites · Morgantown, Mississippi
Discover Natchez State Park's natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Grenada Lake

6. Grenada Lake

137 sites · Coffeeville, Mississippi
Grenada Lake: A scenic retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Bienville National Forest

7. Bienville National Forest

34 sites · Forest, Mississippi
Bienville National Forest is ready to welcome you with outdoor adventure and the sweetest southern charm! With over 178,000 acres to explore, this gorgeous forest is perfect for those who want to take it slow. Sunset watching and family camping are top notch, and the incredible Shockaloe Horse Trail offers both riders and hikers 23 miles of forest meandering. Anglers and boating enthusiasts can troll Marathon Lake, the bass fishing is a good as the scenery, and the camping accommodations offer as little or as much solitude as you like. Visiting Bienville is like greeting an old friend, warm and with a smile.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping in Mississippi guide

Where to go

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast

Some of the state’s most divine camping is found along the Gulf Coast. Gulf Islands National Seashore protects over 135,000 acres of the mainland and barrier islands in Mississippi and Florida. Hike amid the sand dunes, hit the waters in a boat or kayak, go deep-sea fishing, or explore wonders under the waters. Further inland, Clark Creek Nature Area is a fascinating landscape, with 700 acres of bluffs and pines. The National Park Service’s Davis Bayou Campground can accommodate tent and RV camping within the National Seashore. Private RV parks and glamping rentals can be found in beachside towns like Ocean Springs and Biloxi. Or, venture along the coast to find Gulfport and Bay St. Louis and more.

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

One way to explore the state is with a drive along the NPS’s Natchez Trace Parkway. Crossing three states, the bulk of the parkway runs diagonally across Mississippi along a 444-mile route paralleling the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. It offers a trek through time, following pathways formed by Native Americans, early European settlers, and more. The National Park Serve offers three first-come-first-served primitive campgrounds along the Natchez Trace. Campsites are free and can accommodate both tents and RVs. Plan a longer stop in Natchez, which has several private RV parks and glamping options, including Natchez State Park. This town overlooks the Mississippi River and offers a lot of character.

Northern Mississippi

Northern Mississippi is home to the state’s mountains. They may not be as high as other peaks, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t scenic. This small section of the Appalachians is home to Tishomingo State Park, an unexpected land of ferns, waterfalls, and craggy bluffs. A wooded campground offers RV sites and primitive tent camping. Two grand lakes provide recreation and scenery. Sardis Lake is a popular camping area to the west, and Bay Springs Lake is a favorite in the east. The Army Corps of Engineers operates several waterfront campgrounds.