Page 101 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Summer, 2025

At the 459-acre Davis Bayou Area near Ocean Springs, hike through oak and pine forests, camp, fish, crab, picnic, or participate in various programs conducted by park rangers. Owned by the National Park Service, the area features a campground, boardwalks through wetlands, a boat launch, and trails. Paddle a kayak or canoe on the bayou to get close to nature. People might spot many bird species, plus otters, turtles, alligators, raccoons, and other wildlife.
Fishermen, small boat owners, kayakers, and birdwatchers should explore the Wolf River Delta and its tributaries in the Wolf River Coastal Reserve, a 2,426-acre tract of tidal marshes along the Wolf River in Harrison County, south of De Lisle. The river flows into Bay St. Louis. Here you may spot alligators, various wading birds, plus ospreys, and pelicans. During the colder months, watch for
FRESH CATCH
After a long day fishing, nothing tastes better than fresh fish caught by yourself. Many professional guides clean the catch for their clients. Take the catch upstairs to Shaggy’s Pass Harbor restaurant located in Pass Christian Harbor and tell them how you want your fish cooked and they’ll bring it out to you with sides and drinks. It doesn’t get fresher than that!
Buccaneer State Park
waterfowl and other migratory birds.
North of Biloxi, the De Soto National Forest, the largest national forest in Mississippi, spreads across 518,587 acres in 10 counties. The forest contains two designated wilderness areas, Black Creek Wilderness and Leaf River Wilderness. A designated National Wild and Scenic River, the only Mississippi stream so designated, Black Creek makes a great place for paddling. Hikers and horseback riders can explore more than 60 miles in two National Recreational Trails, the Black Creek Trail, and the Tuxachanie Trail.
Buccaneer State Park sits on the beach in Waveland. Here, you can fish, swim, kayak off the beach or cool off at the Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, or even play disc golf or camp in a scenic setting. For hikers, Pirate’s Alley Nature Trail runs nearly two miles through mixed forests where people might spot many animal species.
Shepard State Park
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