Hattiesburg, Mississippi was founded in 1882 by Captain William Hardy, a civil engineer by trade. Hardy's wife was named Hattie, and a few short years after incorporation, the city took on its founder's wife's name. Hattiesburg has a population of 49,000, making it the fifth-largest city in Mississippi.
Hattiesburg was one of the first important cities in Mississippi not found on the banks of the Mississippi River. Hattiesburg is located at the confluence of two other rivers, but it initially rose to prominence because of its proximity to the New Orleans and Northeastern railroads. These railroads ran directly through Hattiesburg and gave the important lumber industry access to the deep ports of the Gulf of Mexico.
Hattiesburg continues to be a well-known and important city in Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg alongside a thriving music scene, multiple museums, a historic downtown area, and more. The Mississippi Blues Trail, a tribute to the great music scene there, is a great place to learn more about the city. Just south of Hattiesburg is Camp Shelby, the largest U.S. National Guard training base east of the Mississippi, which hosts more than 100,000 national guardsmen and women annually.
Hattiesburg specifically and Mississippi in general play host to some great opportunities for outdoor recreation. Longleaf Trace is a 41-mile trail that is great for biking, and there are some incredible golf courses in the city as well. The De Soto National Forest is well-known for its hiking opportunities, and there are many fun things to do with kids as well. There are plenty of campgrounds and RV parks in and around Hattiesburg where you can stay while you explore all there is to see in the city.
Shady Grove RV Park is just northwest of downtown Hattiesburg, and its location puts you close enough to drive into town but far enough away to be away from city life. There is an on-site fishing pond along with full hookups, long paved spaces, a playground for the kids, and a swimming pond. There is even a restaurant less than a mile away called The Hideaway that is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Diamond Lake RV Park is about an hour's drive south of Hattiesburg, but it is worth the distance. It is a small, quiet campground that offers a private, stocked lake and proximity to Walmart just in case you forgot something on your visit. There is a fire pit in the center of the small campground along with a nice pavilion, picnic tables, and a bocce ball court. Diamond Lake offers you the privacy and solitude of a small, rural campground with great amenities and proximity to shopping and restaurants.
Another campground close by is Cajun RV Park in Biloxi, Mississippi, less than a two-hour drive south of Hattiesburg. Biloxi is known for its casinos, Minor League Baseball team, and proximity to New Orleans, Louisiana. Within walking distance of the park are the Biloxi beach boardwalk, numerous restaurants, and the aforementioned casinos. There are sites for all types of RVs, and the amenities include Wi-Fi and cable tv, a sand volleyball court, access to beaches, a playground, a swimming pool, a laundry room, and more.
Paul B. Johnson State Park is a beautiful, scenic natural area located just 15 miles south of Hattiesburg. Geiger Lake in Paul B. Johnson Park is one of the area's biggest draws, and De Soto National Forest surrounds the park, adding to its beauty. There are many wildlife species that live in the surrounding forest, including foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and white-tailed deer, but you will probably only see the rabbits, squirrels, and birds that live inside the park itself. It is a great place to relax and take in the forest and lake scenery for which the park is known.
A short drive north of Hattiesburg will bring you to Roosevelt State Park, a park known for its outdoor recreational opportunities and scenery. The park's scenic overlooks give you breathtaking views of Bienville National Forest, a particularly spectacular sight when the leaves change in the fall. Inside the park, you can enjoy fishing, disc golf, nature trails, swimming, boating, and more. There are a few campgrounds in the park itself and many others in the surrounding areas.
A quick drive west to Louisiana will bring you to Bogue Chitto State Park, where you will find the Bogue Chitto River along with a beautiful combination of swamplands and forests. This park covers less than 2,000 acres, but it is home to diverse habitats and ecosystems, including hilly terrain, swampland, forests, and even a well-known cave that you can explore. There are a few well-equipped campgrounds inside the park and others in the surrounding area, so it is an easy place to stay for a day or to take a longer trip and explore the diverse park more thoroughly.
New Orleans is less than a two-hour drive from Hattiesburg and plays host to, among other things, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. New Orleans is known for jazz, and the park highlights the musicians who made the city and the music genre popular. There are also a lot of jazz clubs and concerts in the area if you are a fan of jazz.
The Natchez Trace Parkway follows 444 miles of road from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, TN, and includes some incredible historical sites throughout the trail. You can visit ancient Native American burial grounds, Civil War battlefields, and some famous sites visited by explorers throughout history. Along the trail, there are a lot of campgrounds, fishing spots, hunting areas, and almost any outdoor activity you can think of, but the history is what draws most people to the trail.
Another historical site close to Hattiesburg is Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, just outside of New Orleans. When visiting Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, you can hike, observe native wildlife, learn about the rich history of New Orleans, and attend historical reenactments throughout the year.
De Soto National Forest is about 10 miles south of Hattiesburg and is both the largest and one of the most beautiful parks in Mississippi. De Soto National Forest covers more than 500,000 mostly untouched acres and protects an increasingly endangered Gulf Coast ecosystem. During your visit to the park, you can enjoy ATV rides, fishing, canoeing, camping, hiking, and much more, but the biggest draw to De Soto is its natural beauty.
Bienville National Forest is a short drive north of Hattiesburg and covers just under 200,000 acres of land. Bienville National Forest is known for its streams, lakes, and ponds that create recreational opportunities as well as different habitats and ecosystems. You can go bird-watching, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, and more. The cities of Jackson and Meridian are in proximity to the park, giving you good shopping and restaurants and making this a popular choice for family vacations and gatherings.
Homochitto National Forest is a two-hour drive west of Hattiesburg and sits on 190,000 acres of land. There is a lot to do here for families, and Clear Spring Lake is one of the most popular sites at Homochitto. Okhissa Lake is another popular spot, and it covers more than 1,000 acres, making it great for water sports, fishing, sightseeing, and more. Homochitto National Forest has plenty of RV sites and campgrounds to go along with the wide variety of outdoor recreation and sightseeing offered.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Hattiesburg, MS RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What is included in my Hattiesburg, MS RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Can I have my Hattiesburg, MS RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
