Well, I posted my video of my camping experience in Mississippi. I found a cheap National Forest Campground close to my route of travel and decided it was a good place to stay a few days. It was right off my route. It was near Gulf Port, Ms. so had some “Tourist Attraction” value. And being a “First Come First Served” (FCFS) campground meant that it would probably have spots in the middle of the week.
Just generally speaking, I try to not have reservations on weekdays, and to make reservations for weekends. It doesn’t seem to matter what time of year, weekends can mean full campgrounds. And it is nice to have options for travel and not have to race from reservation to reservation. Of course if you have a schedule to keep and a long way to go, reservations are a good idea.
So we started our trip to Louisiana with a reservation at the place we would stay during the Mardi Gras festival and another reservation halfway. That was the FDR State park and campground in Georgia and the Chicot State Park campground in La. In between we had several FCFS campgrounds. I had stayed at FDR in 2016 when traveling home from Florida. It was a nice old campground. I had the 2 boys with me in the Aliner and we spent a few days there before heading North. That original YouTube Video from 2016 can be seen HERE. It was done with a pocket camera and not much skill. It appears the FDR campground had been “redone” and the number of sited increased by adding new sites between the old ones. All the sites had fresh crushed stone on them and were a bit dusty. The bathhouses all looked new, inside and out. Since it wasn’t crowded, it was OK. But I don’t think I will go back ever during the peak season. The video of the latest visit to FDR (2024) is HERE.
From FDR we drove through Alabama to Mississippi and stopped at the Big Biloxi Campground near Gulf Port. I drove around it and it looked nice. We found a campsite tucked back into the woods and backed in and hooked up. For $20 it had electricity and water at every site, and a Bathroom/Shower house. For me, that price with those amenities is a real bargain. And then figure in the Sr. Pass discount, and its practically free! But as I got more familiar with the campground it got a little stranger.
There were two loops to the campground. A big loop with a huge open field in front of the bathhouse, and a smaller loop that went behind the bathhouse. The big loop the sites were spread way apart and that is where we landed. But the sites behind the bathhouse were closer together and were occupied by what looked like “Long Term Residents living in junk”. Several of the sites looked like they were having yard sales with junk everywhere. One site had a medium sized tent that appeared to have been sat on by an elephant, it had a full size mattress out next to the tent, and towels, clothing, shoes, and kitchen equipment thrown around the site. Across from that was a large Class A or Bus conversion that was covered in a black tarp except for the front door. There were 2 old Class C RVs that looked like they were never going to get out of there without a tow truck, and there was a old travel trailer in similar condition. So we just considered this “Skid Row”.
As Akela and I walked around the big loop with the camera rolling and talking to it, People would come out of their trailer and ask what I was doing. I soon realized most of these people were “Full Timers” in their RVs. And they were in Vans, Overland Vehicles, Trailer Trailers, Popups, and Class A’s. All was good, though some seems quite old. I explained my YouTube channel, handed out my card, and told them if they didn’t want their stuff in the video I can surely edit it out. Only one asked not to be in the video if he weren’t to be compensated for it. I could have given him his 50 cent share right there I suppose.
But the “last straw” at Big Biloxi, was when we finally went to use the bathroom. The place looked a deserted bus station bathroom. The walls of the toilet stall were falling down. The door on the stall didn’t close. And the shower stall was covered in black mold and mildew. And maybe that is just an issue with Louisiana humidity and weather, but I’m sure that can be cleaned off if someone wanted to. So it was obvious no one had done any work or cleaning in the bathrooms in a while. Though I will say there was a good supply of toilet paper, even though one roll was soaking wet. We decided to use the facilities in our Camper that weekend!
On the weekend the campground did get a bunch of “Camper couples” filling it up. Much nicer equipment and a little more friendlier. The site right next to me got a young “30’ish” couple in a big beautiful Intech SOL. A pretty fancy fiberglass trailer that goes for about $50K. They told me they come to that campground frequently and its generally in good shape. But this time there was no ranger and no host. So maybe they are having staffing issues. We do tend to walk around and gab with people at campgrounds. Some people don’t like it, some people love showing off their rigs. Just people are different I guess.
On our next morning after getting there, we did go and scout out another campground about an hour away. Our original plan was to stop back at Big Biloxi on the way home. But that decision had just been re-thought. So a little North, still in the Desoto National Forest was Turkey Fort recreation area. So we went to check it out. More about that will be in a future post. After the video comes out.
Despite the condition of the bathhouse, the campsites were great. The electricity and water was good. The water system had just been repaired and sanitized. And the location near Gulfport, Ms was very convenient. When my water line broke it was just 10 miles to a home depot to get materials for repairs. And when Akela want to go see the ocean, it was just 10 more miles further. And Gulfport has a lot of nice sandy beach. A ton more beach than parking near the beach. So if you go, get there early!
So in conclusion, I don’t want you to think this was an awful experience. From all my previous experiences staying in National Forest Campgrounds, it was a surprise. I had never encountered such run down and dirty facilities. But it was just one aspect of the campground. And I have stayed many places without bathroom or shower facilities that cost more. So Akela and I just made do with what we had. After all, isn’t that what camping is all about?!
Stay Safe Folks, Go Camping !
Rick & Akela
GoingNoWhereFast
I hope you carry some type of a weapon when you go to certain camping areas. This sounds like one of them. Most people are friendly , but there is always that one you are a little sketchy about. It is better to be safe than sorry.
No, no weapons. I do tend to have a well trained dog. The sketchiest ones are usually high on something and not much will stop them. But then since their High they are busy with their trip. Grew up and lived most of my life in the ghetto. Guns just cause people to want to take your guns! Thanks for the concern.
Since I generally camp alone or with a handicapped daughter, I’ll probably pass on this one. Sounds a little too sketchy during the week, unless they get a ranger and host again. I’m glad it worked well for you, though. I’m enjoying your videos about this trip and am looking forward to the rest.
Hopefully, I said it was a really nice campground. I called in the condition of the bathhouse to the “Supervising Ranger”. I don’t know if they’ll do anything or let it continue until they get the “Seasonal Crews” working to dress it up. But these days, if you just look at all the Solo Females traveling and camping and living a Nomadic lifestyle, I really think its pretty safe out there.