3 Favorite Mississippi Campgrounds

Buccaneer State Park on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is lovely in itself but is also close to several nearby attractions.

Over the past few years, we have visited quite a few campgrounds.  During this time, we have camped from North Mississippi to the Gulf Coast.  Each place we have gone has provided some unique opportunities and experiences.  Where are our favorite campgrounds in Mississippi and why did they make our list?

3 Favorite Campgrounds in Mississippi

If you truly want to enjoy all that camping has to offer, you need to be open to lots of different parks and places.  Our family loves state parks, COE (Corps of Engineer) Campgrounds, and private campgrounds.  Of all of the places we have camped in Mississippi, there are three standout campgrounds.  Each of these three provide unique experiences and opportunities.  

The suspension bridge is a park highlight at Tishomingo State Park.

Tishomingo State Park - North Mississippi

This state park is rich with history, scenic views and activities abound.  There are well kept hiking trails with lush, green foliage in the summer, and spectacular with color in the fall.  You can also canoe along Bear Creek within the park.  There is a $40 fee for this excursion, and you should make your reservations in advance.  These trips are available from mid-April to mid-October.  It is the closest to mountainous terrain you will encounter in Mississippi since this is the foothills of the Appalachians.  One of the park highlights is the swinging bridge that you can cross over Bear Creek and onto some of the available hiking trails.  I highly recommend visiting this spot.  

The entrance to the bridge and hiking trails.

In addition to the hiking and canoeing within the park, there is a seasonal pool.  You can also play disk golf.  Or if you are really adventurous, try rock climbing.  There is more than ample activities to keep campers and visitors engaged during your stay.

The view from our campsite was stunning.

Our son enjoyed the geese at our site.

The campsites are well maintained and spacious.  This was one of our first 3-night camping spots when we owned our pop up camper.   There are also cabins and cottages located within the park as well.  This really increases accessibility for visitors that don't own an RV or camping equipment.  Overall, it is just a beautiful park that is the perfect spot to enjoy lots of activities or just kick back and enjoy nature around a campfire.  If you would like a fire, you can purchase firewood in town at the local Piggly Wiggly.  We were not able to purchase firewood at the campground itself.  So, make sure to grab some on your way in or just make a quick run into town to buy a cord or two.  If you are seeking a nature-filled camping experience, this is just the spot.

We enjoyed having a lakefront site at Yogi on the Lake for the views at sunrise and sunset.

Yogi On the Lake - Central Mississippi

We have only camped at a Jellystone once.  Our son loved this campground so much, and his parents probably loved it as much as he did.  These campgrounds are privately operated and provide lots of activities for any age group.  There is everything from a splash pad, water slides, and pool to a sandy beach area.  Enjoy the jumping pad, planned seasonal activities, arts and crafts as well as mini-golf.  

We took time for a craft project while we were camping at Yogi on the Lake.

The water play area was so much fun during a hot weekend!

While we had a lakefront site, if we return, I would like to get a premium site closest to the pool and water slides.  This is what our son loved doing the most.  And, I feel like these sites would be worth the extra money to be closer to the action.  The sites down by the lake a further away and really required driving back up to the water activities.  You can rent a golf cart to use on-site, and this would also be handy due to the size of the campground, but I didn't reserve one in time for our trip.  If you think you would like a golf cart and stay at a site farther away, you need to reserve one well in advance of your trip.  

The staff is friendly.  The camp store is well stocked and has everything you could possibly want or need if you forget something.  This is actually the nicest and best-stocked camp store I have ever seen.  I was amazed.  

This was another site with geese that our son also enjoyed watching the birds.

Yogi on the Lake is the type of place where you can show up to camp and never leave for your entire stay.  This is part of the appeal and charm of this place for many families.  And if you don't own an RV or camping gear, rent one of the cabins that are available on site.  It really is a camping destination for any group!  This is on our list of spots for 2021!

Buccaneer State Park offers well maintained and large camping spots.

Buccaneer State Park - MS Gulf Coast

We have camped at this state park 3 times over the last 4 years.  Since Hurricane Katrina, everything was rebuilt.  So, it is basically brand new.  The sites spacious and are well maintained.  You have a variety of campsites due to the size of the campground.  However, I recommend the Treasure Cove Loop.  It is farther away from the water, but it also offers more shade for campers.  Be aware that a train does come through at night.  While this does not bother our family, it might bothersome.  There are many sites aside from this loop and farther from the train.  But these sites are less shaded and would be hot in the warm weather months.  For campers that would like a water view site, these are on a first come first serve basis.  So, you would need to grab this upon arrival.  These sites have water and electricity and do not have sewer, fire rings, or picnic tables.  Depending on your needs, you can select the spot that is right for you!

A large playground,  a pool, and a water park on-site.  While w have not taken advantage of the water activities there, we have done plenty of other fun things both onsite and in the surrounding area.

This past Labor Day, we went into Gulfport and took the ferry out to Ship Island.  I highly recommend this day trip.  The ferry ride is about 45 minutes long.  You can go in the morning and return in the afternoon.  There are beach chairs available for rent there, and the water is clean and clear.

Ship Island has beautiful clear water on the beaches there.

You can spend the day in Bay St. Louis and enjoy shopping and restaurants.  You can also visit the beach there if you choose.  The water isn't nearly as nice as at Ship Island.

For tent campers or pop up campers, the bathhouses and facilities are sparkling clean.  We have used these facilities during our pop up days.  It is a great park for just relaxing and hanging out.  But, you can also bike along the water and take in the scenery.  

There are also plenty of spots to bike within Buccaneer State Park as well as along the water outside of the park.

State parks are probably always going to be my favorite camping spots.  I love the quiet serenity of just being out in nature.  However, it is also nice to visit a place with lots of amenities and extras.  I'm an extra kind of girl.  So, it fits really.  And, I like to shake it up a bit and do something different from time to time.  Private campgrounds typically offer things that state and national parks may not offer.  It is a completely different kind of experience, and that is what I like about camping the most.  We get to choose the types of experiences that we have.  

Where are your favorite spots to camp?  As you are planning for the upcoming year, start booking your sites now.  This is a perfect time to reserve those places that have been on your list.  Make it happen in the new year and enjoy life in the great outdoors!

If you want to find out more about other campgrounds we have visited, check out my Camping Map.  I have also created a space to share all of the camping gear we enjoy on the road.  Be sure to visit my Camping Gear Page too!  This is the perfect time of year to reserve campgrounds for the new year and update your gear.  

Until next time...happy camping!

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