Coastal Camping
- story by LB Kovac, photos by Ellis Anderson
Raindrops on tent-flaps, roasted marshmallows. Swimming in pools, and camp stories with fellows. If these are a few of your favorite things, Hancock County is just the place for you.
In addition to the flourishing art scene, scenic beaches, and hopping downtown atmosphere, Hancock County boasts a thriving camping community. There's even a service that will rent you a camper, haul it to the campground you want and set it up for you. After the weekend, just pack up and drive away - Gulf Coast Camper Rentals will come and fetch it. Their motto is "we do the work, you enjoy the adventure." So whether you're blissful in a tent or adore luxe camping digs, when you've got a yearning for the great outdoors, check out one of these spots: |
Beach to Bayou
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1150 S. Beach Blvd.
Waveland, MS
228-467-3822
The campground itself has over 200 campsites, both back-up and pull-thru spots. Campsites come with options for 30- and 50-amp connections, as well as Wi-Fi, cable, and a parking spot. There are dedicated primitive sites in the back of the campground for campers looking to pitch a tent. These sites don’t have fire circles or picnic tables, but they are spacious enough for multiple tents or extra equipment.
The best thing about the park, though, is its proximity to the gulf. Located on Beach Boulevard in Waveland, the Gulf of Mexico is quite literally across the street. If you know your travel plans ahead of time, you can reserve one of the park’s premium gulf-view spots, which give you amazing sunset views from the comfort of your camper. And white-sand beaches are just a short walk away!
The tradeoff for staying at such a big park is a bit of noise. There are dedicated quiet hours at Buccaneer State Park, but there are lots of campers, including families with young children, and some noise can't be helped.
8100 Texas Flat Rd.
Kiln, MS
228-467-1894
McLeod has about 50 campsites, with back-up and pull-thru sites available. Each site comes with a parking spot and picnic table, and slide-out campers can be accommodated. There’s also an on-site bathhouse with showers, a splash pad for the kids, and a playground.
Despite this campground’s seclusion, there’s still easy access to downtown Hancock County’s conveniences. Hollywood Casino, downtown Bay St. Louis, and Mississippi’s coastline are each just a 20-minute drive away.
8360 Lakeshore Dr.
Bay St. Louis, MS
228-466-0959
The campground park has a disc golf course for enthusiasts, the laundry rooms are free, and the staff have lots of recommendations for local eateries, bars, and family activities. During special holidays, there are free cookouts for the whole campground.
This campground is just three miles from the beach, and it’s even closer to several casinos. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars in downtown Bay St. Louis.
8012 Highway 90
Bay Saint Louis, MS
228-463-9670
This campground is centrally located for those who want to enjoy all of Hancock County’s features. Silver Slipper Casino, Hollywood Casino, the Stennis Space Center, and white sand beaches are all within a ten-minute drive.
Be aware that this campground only rents by the month. If you’re in Hancock County for a shorter stay, you might want to look at one of the other facilities.
These are just a few of the campgrounds in Hancock Country. Whether you’re just visiting the area or looking to call it home for a little while, there’s a campground just for you.