U.S. National Forest Campground Guide

Desoto National Forest

Mississippi



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Campground List

CAMPGROUND NAME: Big Biloxi

VISIT DATE: 02/04/1997

UPDATE DATE: 10/6/2018

STATE: Mississippi

REGION: Southern

RANGER DISTRICT: DeSoto

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Gulfport

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
From Gulfport, MS, at the intersection of I-10 and U.S. Rt. 49,
take Rt. 49 north 9.3 miles to Big Biloxi sign (DeSoto Park Rd.). 
Turn left onto De Soto Park Rd. and go 0.5 miles to campground
sign.  Turn left into campground.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 50 feet.

The campground has three unnamed overlapping loops.  Most sites
are on the outside of the loops nestled among Longleaf pine and
native hardwoods.  The large middle loop offers only limited
shade and poor privacy between campsites.  It has a pavilion with
a few camp sites nearby on a manicured grass meadow large enough
for a variety of games.  The two other smaller loops offer more
shade and privacy.  Adjacent to the Big Biloxi River, where
canoeing is a major activity, the campground has an informal swim
area but requires wading across the river to reach a fine gravel
beach. Gas and groceries are available on State Rt. 49.

The campground is well located for a variety of day trips to the
Gulf coast and its beaches, as well as attractions found in
places along the coast like Biloxi, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year: Yes

Seasonal Comment:
May 1 through October 31 - 14 days maximum stay
November 1 through April 30 - 30 days maximum stay

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $20 per day (Senior/Access Pass - $13 per day)
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 & 30

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 25
   
   Total Sites: 25

Tent Pads: Yes
Open Sites: Yes
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 25
No. Grilles on Sites: 25
Equestrian Camping: No

RV INFORMATION
No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0
No. Water and Electric Only: 25
No. Water Only: 0
No. Electric Only: 0

No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: Yes
Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes 
Average Parking Apron Size: 12' X 42'

Comments:
The parking aprons are paved.

FACILITIES
Vaults: No
Flush Toilets: Yes
Hot Showers: Yes
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0

Comments:
The showers are wheelchair friendly.

WATER SPORTS
Lake: No
Swimming (provided): No
Sailing: No
Boat Ramp: No
Boat Carry Down Access: Yes
Power Boating: No
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: No
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Canoeing on the Big Biloxi River.

HIKING
Unnamed trail located between sites 7 & 8 (foot only) - 0.75
miles

FISHING   
Bass, Bream and Channel catfish

CAMPGROUND NAME: Cypress Creek Landing VISIT DATE: 02/04/1997 UPDATE DATE: 1/27/2017 STATE: Mississippi REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: DeSoto NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Wiggins RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Wiggins, MS, at the intersection of State Rts. 26 and 29, take Rt. 29 north 16.3 miles to Cypress Creek sign (Snider Rd). Turn right onto Snider Rd. and go 0.7 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear left onto a wide single lane (no turnouts) and go 2.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right onto a dirt road (Forest Rt. 305B) and go 1.5 miles into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 100 ft. The campground has a short spur leading into a large loop near the Black Creek Wilderness with some sites overlooking the Black Creek National Scenic River. A grass understory means limited privacy between sites. The 33 miles of Black Creek meanders through the area with tree and flowering shrubs hanging over the banks. Twenty-one miles of the river are designated as the only National Scenic River in Mississippi. The campground is well suited for use by people exploring Black Creek. Towering, mature magnolia and a mixture of native Mississippi hardwoods and pine provide shade. Each campsite has a lantern pole. Note: No alcohol is permitted in the campground. SEASONS Open Seasonal: No Open All Year: Yes RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $7 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 14 Total Sites: 14 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 14 No. Grilles on Sites: 14 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Average Parking Apron Size: See RV comments Comments: The parking aprons are dirt and gravel, irregular in shape and a challenge to identify. FACILITIES Vaults: No Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: Yes Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1 No. Threaded: 1 WATER SPORTS Lake: No Swimming (provided): No Sailing: No Boat Ramp: No Boat Carry Down Access: Yes Power Boating: No Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Canoeing on the Black Creek National Scenic River. Contact the ranger district office about outfitters and canoe rentals. Put- in/carry down access is just before the campground's entrance. HIKING - No FISHING Bass, Bream and Channel catfish

CAMPGROUND NAME: Long Leaf Horse Trail VISIT DATE: 02/03/1997 UPDATE DATE: 1/27/2017 STATE: Mississippi REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Chickasawhay NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Laurel RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: From Laurel, MS, take State Rt. 15 south 7.9 miles to Long Leaf Horse Trail sign (George Boutwell Rd.). Turn left onto George Boutwell Rd. and go 1.9 miles to horse silhouette sign (Forest Rt. 201). Turn right onto Rt. 201 and go 4.5 miles to another horse silhouette sign (Forest Rt. 213). Turn right onto Rt. 213 and go 0.5 miles to campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 140 ft. The campground, adjacent to Gator Pond, is situated in long-leaf pine woods. Located at the mid-point of the 11 mile, self-guided, Gavin Forest Education Auto Tour, the campground is a nice place for a break. However, folks are discovering this quiet little spot and staying for more than lunch. There is a hitching post at each site. Besides horseback riders, the Long Leaf Horse Trail is popular with mountain bikers and training for Ultra runners. SEASONS Open Seasonal: No Open All Year: Yes RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $3 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 17 Total Sites: 17 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 17 No. Grilles on Sites: 17 Equestrian Camping: Yes RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 6 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 17' X 47' Comments: Sites are very basic with gravel and dirt parking aprons. BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No OTHER FACILITIES Playground: No Public Phone: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0 No. Threaded: 0 Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes WATER SPORTS Lake: Yes Swimming (provided): No Sailing: No Boat Ramp: No Boat Carry Down Access: Yes Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Power boats limited to electric motors. HIKING Long Leaf Horse Trail - 3 loops: 6, 11 and 25 miles. Trail is multi-use for horses, mountain bikers and training for Ultra runners. Note: There is a $3 fee to all to use this trail. FISHING - Yes Comments: Bass, Blue gill and catfish.

CAMPGROUND NAME: Turkey Fork VISIT DATE: 02/03/1997 UPDATE DATE: 1/27/2017 STATE: Mississippi REGION: Southern RANGER DISTRICT: Chickasawhay NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Sand Hill RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Sand Hill, MS, at the intersection of State Rts. 42 and 63, take Rt. 62 south 4.2 miles to Turkey Fork sign. Turn left at sign onto Indian Hill Rd. and go 3.1 miles to another campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.7 miles to still another campground sign. Turn right at his sign and immediately left into campground. Walk-in tent sites are on the right while the section with hookups is 0.9 miles further into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 300 ft. The campground has two unnamed sections located in a mixed hardwood and pine forest with some sites overlooking Turkey Fork Lake. The section closest to the campground's entrance is all walk-in tent only campsites. These sites are nestled in pine and with a heavy middle and understory, have good privacy. The walk- in tent section is close to the day use area and must use its bathroom facilities and water spigots. The section with hookups features sites with nice views of the lake and several have walk- down access to the lake. Some parking aprons have a steep slope and might require the use of the tent pad located at the rear end of the apron. All campsites have lantern poles. There is separate parking area in campground for extra vehicles and boat trailers. This is alligator country; practice caution around water, especially with small dogs SEASONS Open Seasonal: No Open All Year: Yes RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $7 per day - no hookups $20 per day - elec. & water hookups Senior/Access Pass - $14 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 8 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 20 Total Sites: 28 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 28 No. Grilles on Sites: 28 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0 No. Water and Electric Only: 20 No. Water Only: 0 No. Electric Only: 0 No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: Yes Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes Average Parking Apron Size: 14' X 50' Comments: The parking aprons are paved. FACILITIES Vaults: No Flush Toilets: Yes Hot Showers: Yes Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0 WATER SPORTS Lake: Yes Swimming (provided): Yes Sailing: Yes Boat Ramp: Yes Boat Carry Down Access: No Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: Yes Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Turkey Fork Lake is 250 acres. Water skiing limited to the hours of 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Jet skis are not permitted. The boat ramp is located on the east side of the lake. There are two swim beaches - one on the west side of the lake in the day use area and the other on the east side next to the boat ramp. HIKING Turkey Fork Trail (foot only) - 0.75 miles FISHING Bass, Blue Gill and Channel catfish




Fred and Suzi Dow