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Camping in Mississippi: campsites, permits and passes

Camping in Mississippi starts in one of a few places: Mississippi State Parks for state park campsites, Recreation.gov for federal campgrounds, or free dispersed camping on National Forest land. Here's where to book each, plus permits, passes and licences.

Most people go to:

State park campsites

Mississippi state park campgrounds are booked through Mississippi State Parks ↗. Book as early as you can for summer and holiday weekends, and check each park's page for cabins, yurts, group sites and pet rules.

National parks in Mississippi

Mississippi has no national park, but it has National Park Service sites such as monuments, historic parks and trails. See them on the National Park Service Mississippi page ↗.

National forests and free camping

Mississippi's national forests include De Soto, Holly Springs, Bienville, Homochitto. Developed campgrounds are booked on Recreation.gov (some are first-come, first-served), and most national forest land allows free dispersed camping away from developed sites, usually for up to 14 days. Check the forest's rules and any fire restrictions first.

Permits and lotteries

Most camping in Mississippi doesn't need a special permit beyond your campsite reservation. Some wilderness areas, rivers and busy trailheads do; check the managing agency before you go.

Fishing and hunting licences

Licences for Mississippi are sold by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks ↗, online or at local retailers. Rules and seasons differ by species and water, so check before you go.

Passes

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at national parks and many federal lands in Mississippi. State parks usually sell their own day or annual passes; see Mississippi State Parks.

Best time to camp in Mississippi

Spring and fall are most comfortable. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon storms; winter is mild in the south.

Questions

Packing checklists

Nearby states (Southeast)