Davis Bayou Campground at Gulf Islands National Seashore

OPERATING SEASON

Davis Bayou Campground in Gulf Islands National Seashore is open year-round. The campground is gated and closed at sunset. Campers with reservations who arrive late must call (228) 230-4136 before 3:30 PM to get the gate code (you need your reservation number to get the code). Those without reservations will not be able to enter the campground after hours.

Check-in is at the office near the entrance to the campground. The office is open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. If you arrive after this time, check in with the campground host (the host has a campsite near the office).

NUMBER OF SITES

Campground Map (click to enlarge)

Davis Bayou Campground has 52 campsites with back-in parking spaces that range from 30′ to 60′ deep—most sites have driveways greater than 40′.

There are two campsites set aside for disabled visitors. However, I don’t know what makes them accessible. Campsite 26 is right next to the restroom, but the second site, Campsite 31, is nowhere near it. Other than that, the sites are no different than any other campsite.

Campsite 26 at Davis Bayou Campground is for disabled visitors

TYPE OF CAMPING

Both tent campers and RVs are welcome. There are no campsites set aside specifically for either, though RVs are limited to sites with parking areas long enough to accommodate the vehicle. Each campsite is allowed up to eight people and may have either one RV and one tent or two tents. Two vehicles are allowed per site, and they must be parked on the paved driveway. If you have more vehicles than allowed, you must park them just outside the campground entrance near the picnic pavilions.

When making a reservation, you must specify which type of camping equipment you have, and only this type of equipment will be allowed at the site. To make things clear, the National Park Service provides the following equipment definitions:

• RV: Class A, B or C​, self-propelled motorhome that may have slide outs and extra storage

• Trailer: Camper trailer is pulled by a hitch behind a pickup truck, SUV or minivans.

• 5th Wheel: Large trailer that requires a fifth wheel hitch to tow

• Pick-up camper: Pickup truck on which a structure fitted for camping is mounted

• Pop-up: Towed recreational vehicle that can be collapsed for easy storage and transport

• Camper Van: Self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation measure no more than 18-24 feet

• Tent: Collapsible shelter of fabric (such as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles in the ground and used for camping outdoors

RV camping at Davis Bayou Campground, Gulf Islands National Seashore

TERRAIN

Davis Bayou Campground does have some slight hills and slopes, but most of it is level. If camping in a tent, avoid campsites 6 through 22 and all campsites on the outside of the main campground loop. None of these are very level, and they do not have a lot of room for tents. I was in Campsite 24 and contemplated for quite a while as to where I could set up my large tent, and ultimately decided just to pitch my small tent between the driveway and the picnic table.

Campsite 24 at Gulf Islands National Seashore’s Davis Bayou Campground

Campsites 5 and 6 at Davis Bayou Campground, Gulf Islands National Seashore

The best campsites for large tents are those on the inside of the main loop. In fact, even if you are in an RV you should aim for the inner loop sites for these are more level. Also, the campsites on the inner loop do not back up to the forest like those on the outside of the loop, but instead are located on an open field. This provides a lot more room to the rear.

Campsites on the inner loop at Davis Bayou Campground in Ocean Springs, Mississippi

There is not a lot of shade in the campground. While there are plenty of trees, they tend to be tall, so the canopies don’t do much when it comes to blocking the light.

A lot of trees, but the shade is spotty at Davis Bayou Campground, Gulf Islands National Seashore

Campsite 22 at Gulf Islands National Seashore’s Davis Bayou Campground has no shade

AMENITIES

All campsites have water and electricity hookups (50 and 30 amp), picnic tables, and a fire ring / grill. Picnic tables are located on a level pad. Modern restrooms with hot showers are available, as is a dump station.

RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required to camp at the Davis Bayou Campground and can be made up to six months in advance. If you arrive without a reservation, you must use your phone to access the reservation system once you arrive at the campground. Campsites cannot be booked or paid for at the campground. You can make a reservation online at www.Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. When using the online system you can get information about each campsite, including driveway length. For the latest fees, check the National Park Service’s Davis Bayou Campground web page for Gulf Islands National Seashore. Fees are also given on Recreation.gov.

The prime season is January through March, and of course Spring Break. It is too hot to be camping during the summer, though you are welcome to it. RVs with AC won’t mind, but tent campers probably won’t have much fun.

Tent campers at Davis Bayou Campground, Gulf Islands National Seashore

CAMPGROUND RULES

• Check out is 11 AM. Check-in time is 2 PM.

• Camping is limited to 14 days from January 1 – March 31 and 30 days total for the year.

• Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash and cannot be left unattended.

• Quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.

• Generators are not allowed at any time.

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