The Best Family Camping Destinations in Mississippi

Ready for a family camping trip in Mississippi? If you have kids, these destinations are sure to delight.

Unplugging and escaping into nature is beneficial for the soul. When you have small children, going on a nature-filled camping trip can form some very important and therapeutic memories for the entire family. Fortunately, Mississippi has several gorgeous natural sites that are ideal for getting into the great outdoors.

Tentrr makes the process of finding the right kid-friendly campsites so much easier! We have recently opened campsites at eight state parks in Mississippi. Our featured camping sites are especially well-suited for families because they combine the fun of camping and nature with park amenities aimed at kids.

Each of Tentrr’s single campsites can accommodate up to six campers, complete with a platform safari tent and a pop-up tent. Some of our parks also offer double sites which have two platform tents and two pop-up tents with the ability to house up to twelve campers. These sites are great for larger groups of friends or family gatherings. Most of Tentrr's roomy campsites are also dog-friendly.

Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite Tentrr camping destinations in the Magnolia State that are ideal for families with children.

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park

Top Features of LeFleur’s Bluff State Park:

Perfect for weekend trips - located near the Eastover neighborhood in Jackson
Family-friendly - combine camping with visits to kid-friendly museums
Home to the largest playground in the state of Mississippi (just opened in December of 2021)
Two museums right on the park grounds: the Mississippi Children’s Museum and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Access to Maye's Lake with a beach, fishing, and watersports
Ready-to-camp Safari tents - most are pet-friendly
Big kids can stay in the pop-up tent - little ones can sleep next to mom and dad in the Safari tent
Great for first-time campers!

Looking for a quick family getaway in central Mississippi? Located near the Eastover neighborhood in Jackson, LeFleur's Bluff State Park is a fantastic site to visit. Exploring the park's various nature paths, which take you through forested cliffs, river bottoms, lakes, and picturesque swamplands, is one of the attractions. Remember to bring your camera! There's also a terrific disc golf course, boating, fishing, and, of course, the opportunity to enjoy Mississippi-style barbecue and picnics. Don't forget the spicy sauce! Enjoy a campfire at the end of the day while watching the sunset over the lake with a cold drink in hand. Tentrr campsites feature firepits with a grill top and private picnic tables for your family. We highly encourage you to take advantage of the fishing possibilities, hiking paths, and other exciting things that this state park retreat has to offer while you're here. Anglers may catch bass, bream, catfish, and crappie at Mayes Lake. Please note that all Mississippi residents between the ages of 16 and 65 must have a fishing license. For a small price, licenses may be acquired at the park office.

What is the history behind this 305-acre beautiful green oasis? Louis LeFleur, a French-Canadian adventurer who built a trading station on the banks of the Pearl River in the late 1700s, is the park's namesake. "LeFleur's Bluff" was the initial name for the city of Jackson. Mississippi's dynamic capital city now mixes the warmth and beauty of its rich cultural past with interesting activities and attractions, as well as modern lifestyles. And, if you're a music lover, the Tentrr sites at LeFleur's Bluff are less than a 1/2 hour drive to Brandon Amphitheater.

Tentrr campers have access to a park bathroom with hot showers in the developed camping area (not at the Tentrr sites). Advance bookings are required for all campsites. There are also seven picnic pavilions in the park that may be reserved.

Buccaneer State Park

Top Features of Buccaneer State Park:

Located along the Gulf of Mexico in Waveland, Mississippi
Within an hour of Gulfport, Biloxi, and New Orleans, Louisiana
Families can enjoy the Gulf Beach and Buccaneer Bay Waterpark
Pirate’s Alley Nature Trail
A family-friendly playground and good biking options
Ready-to-go Campsites with Safari tents by Tentrr

Buccaneer State Park, on the beach near Waveland, is surrounded by giant moss-draped oaks, marshlands, and the Gulf of Mexico. Andrew Jackson utilized the park location, also known as Jackson's Ridge, as a base of military operations during the Battle of New Orleans. Later, Jackson returned to the region and erected a home on what is now Buccaneer State Park's grounds.

Pirate's Alley Nature Trail is one of the most family-friendly elements of this state park. This 1.8-mile self-guided walk has a variety of oak types, Sweet Bay Magnolias, and other Mississippi Gulf Coast native flora. Visitors may see a variety of aquatic birds and crustaceans from a pier and gazebo that extends over Mud Bayou's canal.

Water slide

Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, open Memorial Day through Labor Day, is a big draw for families visiting this park. It features two large waterslides, Pirate's Lagoon wave pool, a large surf pool, and a water playground with bubbler and tipping buckets for younger children. There is a separate entrance fee for the waterpark.

And, last but certainly not least, your family can explore the park's white sand beach - a great place to build a sandcastle or wade in the ocean to cool off on a hot day. There is minimal surf at this beach making it an ideal spot for younger children to splash about with supervision.

If you want your family to experience the great outdoors with wonderful natural views, beachfront access and waterpark entertainment consider Tentrr's ready-to-go campsites at Buccaneer State Park.

J.P. Coleman State Park

Drone Shot of Tentrr Campsites at J.P. Coleman State Park

Top Features of J.P. Coleman State Park:

Located in northern Mississippi near the Tennessee and Alabama borders
An excellent weekend destination that sits within 2.5 hours of Tupelo, Birmingham, and Memphis, Tennessee
Located on the banks of the Tennessee River and Pickwick Lake
This is a “Lake Life” park where families can swim, fish, water ski, sail, kayak, etc.
Features a playground and mini-golf

J.P. Coleman State Park is perched on a rocky cliff above the Tennessee River. It is thirteen miles north of Iuka, off of Highway 25, on Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River. Pickwick Lake is a pristine 47,500-acre freshwater lake with fishing, boating, and water skiing for adults and children. In the gorgeous waters of Pickwick Lake, visitors may enjoy unrivaled sailing, swimming, skiing, and small-mouth bass fishing. A tourist center, conference room, marina, boat launch, picnic tables and grills, picnic shelters, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and miniature golf are all available for use.

Families can choose between four Tentrr ready-to-go campsites at J.P. Coleman and Pickwick Lake can be seen from all of the camping areas. There are three single campsites and one double or "buddy" site that is perfect for larger groups. Camping and exploring the untamed nature along the Tennessee River's banks will be enjoyed by all.

Because there are so many family-friendly activities available, we recommend this area to parents looking to camp in Mississippi. On the lake, families with children of all ages can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, waterskiing, or paddleboarding. A marina at the park's north end provides boat ramps, ice, food, bathrooms, and other amenities. Because Mississippi doesn't get extremely cold in the winter, most of these activities may be enjoyed all year. During the off-season, which runs from Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend, the pool, mini-golf course, and marina store are closed.

Runner-Up: Waterfront Signature Site

If you’d prefer a more premium glamping experience for your family, we’d recommend Tentrr’s Waterfront Signature Site. This campsite is located on private property in Poplarville just forty minutes from Hattiesburg and within an hour of Biloxi and Gulfport. This premium tent sleeps up to six people and overlooks a nearby pond. There are a number of activities offered as paid extras, including a paddleboat, archery, skeet shooting, and guided trail rides on horseback.

archery targets

Poplarville is home to the annual Blueberry Jubilee, which is held on the 2nd Sunday in June each year. We recommend attending if you plan on visiting Mississippi in the summer, or if you live nearby in Memphis, Birmingham, or New Orleans.

Other Camping Sites to Consider

Tentrr also has a number of other fully-equipped campsites available on Mississippi state land:

With Tentrr, you’ll be able to find the perfect family-friendly campsite for your upcoming Mississippi vacation.

How was our guide to camping with kids in Mississippi? Tell us which destination you plan to visit in the comments below.