Davis Bayou Campground

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Davis Bayou Campground is located east of downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and is a part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Visitors enjoy the campground for its easy access to boating, fishing, biking and hiking trails.

This small, yet quaint, campground is open for reservations year-round. It contains 52 sites with electric and water hookups. Sites can accommodate tents and RVs, big or small. The majority of the sites are 40+ feet in length.

A group site, with water hookup, is also available to parties with a minimum of 10 individuals and a maximum of 40.

Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station.

Notifications and Alerts

Please Note: Check in time is at 2:00 PM. Check out time is at 11:00 AM.

Need to Know

Between the busy season of January 1 through March 31, campers may stay a maximum of 14 consecutive days in Davis Bayou Campground. Between April 1 through December 31, campers may stay a maximum of 28 days total, in two 14 day increments. At the end of 14)days, campers must completely remove themselves and their property from the National Seashore for a minimum of 2 days (48 hours) before returning for another overnight visit. Stay limits apply to all occupants, not just the individual who makes the reservation. Campers are limited to 42 nights in a calendar year.
With the completion of the new paving of the pads, we are asking that you use wood or plastic under your leveling legs to help even out the pressure on the pads and insure they do not get damaged.
Check in time is 2:00 PM. Please do not arrive before check in time. Check out time is 11:00 AM. Late departure is subject to an additional night's fee.
When making reservations be sure to include your vehicle length to your RV length to make sure all your vehicles will fit in the desired site.

Please remember all wheels must be on the pavement at all times. This includes RV, cars/trucks, motorcycles, boat trailers, and car haulers. If you cannot park on the pavement then you must use the overflow parking near the campground.
If you have any problems that cannot wait till the office opens at 8:00 am, please see the camp host at site #3.

Just a reminder, we do not accept mail for campers at the campground or visitor center.
All sites permit either two tents or one RV (motorhome/fifth-wheel/pop-up trailer) and one tent.

All sites have 50/30 amp breakers and water connections. Each water connection has a backflow built into the faucet.
All sites allow a maximum of eight occupants and two vehicles per site.
If arriving more than 24 hours after the start of your reservation, call (228) 230-4136 or your reservation will be cancelled and a $20 no-show fee plus the cost of the first night's stay will be charged.
Pets are allowed and must be a leash, not to exceed 6 feet at all times. Pet owners are responsibile for cleaning up after their pets. Pets are not allowed on any beach or inside any structures, and may not make excessive noise inside the campgound.
Generators are not permitted at any time in the campground. Nothing may be tied to trees; hot tubs are not allowed.
Gathering of down, dead wood is permitted only in the campground, not along trails or in the forest. Do not bring out-of-state firewood. You may purchase firewood outside the park in Ocean Springs.
The hours of operation for the Davis Bayou Campground Office are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Automatic gates are now in place at Davis Bayou. The gates will close at sunset; registered campers arriving after sunset need to call 228-230-4136 no later than 4:00 p.m. for the gate code. Please have your reservation number available to confirm your reservation and receive the gate code; non-registered campers must arrive prior to sunset.
Gathering of down, dead wood is permitted only in the campground, not along trails or in the forest. Do not bring out-of-state firewood. You may purchase firewood outside the park in Ocean Springs.

Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
For more information, visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore website at www.nps.gov/guis.

Natural Features

The campground is nestled among live oaks and pine trees and is adjacent to a saltwater marsh. Most campsites offer some shade throughout the day and all offer a tranquil setting for migratory bird watching and picnicking.

Nearby Attractions

Davis Bayou is home to many of the park's highly visited barrier islands, such as Horn, Petit Bois, East Ship and West Ship islands. Private boaters may enjoy fishing and swimming, as well as beach combing and bird watching. Private boaters may also enjoy island camping on all islands except West Ship Island, which is only open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The barrier islands are accessible by boat only, therefore you may visit with your own boat or by private charter. Visitors may call 228-875-9057, ext. 114, for a list of park-approved licensed boat operators. Ferries run to West Ship Island from Gulfport, MS during the months March through October. For more information about the ferry service, please call Ship Island Excursions at 228-864-1014.

Recreation

Davis Bayou offers many recreational opportunities for visitors year-round such as fishing, boating, biking, bird watching, picnicking and attending ranger-led programs. Visitors may also enjoy hiking along the Davis Bayou Trail, which takes visitors through a coastal forest and over two local bayous, with an opportunity to see alligators and other reptiles. The campground offers easy access, a 1/2 mile, to the park's boat launch, as well as the scenic Davis Bayou Trail. The fishing pier, located near the Visitor Center, may be used by visitors who possess a Mississippi State Saltwater Fishing License.

Contact Information

Mailing

GUIS Visitor Center 3500 Park Road Ocean Springs MS 39564

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 228-230-4136

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

NORMAL DIRECTIONS

From New Orleans, Slidell, Diamondhead or other points west on I-10: Travel east to Exit 50 MS 609/Ocean Springs. Keep right (South) on Washington Ave. toward Ocean Springs. In 2.5 miles turn left at the Red Light onto Bienville Blvd/Hwy 90 east. Turn right on Park Road entering Gulf Islands National Seashore Parkway. Follow signs to Davis Bayou Campground and Registration Office.

From Pensacola or Mobile, or other points east on I-10: Travel west to Exit 57, Gautier/Ocean Springs. Turn left (South) onto MS Hwy 57. Travel 1/2 mile and take a right at the red light (Hwy 90). Look for brown sign on right, Park road on left. Stay straight to enter Gulf Islands National Seashore, Davis Bayou. Follow signs to Davis Bayou Campground and Registration Office.

Available Campsites

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