Davis Bayou Ocean Springs: Trails, Kayaking, Camping & Fishing

Davis Bayou is the local name for the Davis Bayou Unit of Gulf Islands National Seashore, a stretch of bayou, maritime forest, and marsh on the east side of Ocean Springs off Park Road. It is free to enter, open year-round, and one of the most underused outdoor spaces on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Most people drive past it on the way to the casinos or the beach. That is their loss.

If you have any interest in being outside on the water, in the woods, or simply away from traffic, Davis Bayou delivers more than its size suggests.

The Trails and the Maritime Forest

The main trails at Davis Bayou run through maritime forest, a specific coastal habitat type dominated by old live oaks, wax myrtle, and magnolia. The tree canopy keeps the trails shaded even in summer, and the walk feels different from any trail you would find inland. The ground is flat, the air smells like salt and mulch, and the light filtering through the live oaks in the morning is better than most parks twice the size.

The main trail loop is manageable in about 60 to 90 minutes at an easy pace. The National Park Service visitor center at the park entrance has current trail maps and rangers who can point you toward what is active. The visitor center is worth a few minutes of your time even if you are just passing through, as the interpretive material covers the natural history of the bayou and marsh in a way that helps you see more once you are on the trail.

The Live Oaks Bicycle Route passes through the Davis Bayou Unit and is the best flat bike route in the area for families. It covers shaded roads through the park and connects to the wider trail system. Rentals are not available at the park, so bring your own bike if you plan to ride it.

Kayaking and Paddling the Bayou

The kayak launch at Davis Bayou gives you direct water access to the bayou and the connected marsh channels. This is the best place near Ocean Springs to get on the water without owning a powerboat. The bayou is calm, the current is gentle, and the marsh edges reward slow paddling.

What you are likely to see on a morning paddle depends on the season. Year-round residents include great blue herons, tricolored herons, roseate spoonbills during warmer months, osprey, belted kingfishers, and occasionally river otters. The marsh grass holds small fish and shrimp that attract wading birds to the shallows, and the clear water over the sandy bottom in the main channel is good for watching what is below you.

You need your own kayak or canoe to use the launch. There is no rental concession at the park. The launch ramp accommodates both hand-carried boats and trailers. Plan your paddle for the morning when the water is calmer and the bird activity is higher.

For a longer paddle, you can exit the bayou into the back bay and continue toward the Ocean Springs harbor, though that water gets choppier and boat traffic increases. Know your skill level before committing to the longer route.

Fishing the Pier and the Bayou

The fishing pier at Davis Bayou extends over the water and is free to use. It is a good spot for redfish, flounder, and speckled trout on the bay side. Sheepshead hang around the pier pilings. Crabbing with a throw net or hand line and bait is reliably productive from the pier and is a favorite activity for kids and families.

Mississippi requires a fishing license for most saltwater fishing. Check the current regulations at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources before you fish, particularly for size and bag limits on redfish and flounder, which are subject to change.

Kayak fishing in the bayou and the adjacent grass flats is also productive. The grass flats east of the main bayou channel hold redfish in shallow water, and sight-fishing is possible from a kayak when the water is clear and the wind is light.

Camping at Davis Bayou

The Davis Bayou campground is the only developed camping option in Ocean Springs and one of the better sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs with pull-through options. Reservations are handled through Recreation.gov and are strongly recommended for fall weekends, particularly around the Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival in November.

The campground sits adjacent to the fishing pier and within walking distance of the trail network, making it a functional base for a multi-day outdoor stay. The sites are reasonably level, have electric hookups, and the bathhouse facilities are maintained by the Park Service.

Fall camping here is particularly good. The weather cools enough to be comfortable overnight, the mosquitoes thin out compared to summer, and the park is active with migratory birds moving through.

What Else to Do Nearby

Davis Bayou is five minutes from downtown Ocean Springs. After a morning hike or paddle, the options for lunch and coffee are close. See the best restaurants in Ocean Springs for current picks. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art is about 10 minutes from the park and worth pairing with any visit.

For a broader look at Gulf Islands National Seashore including the barrier islands, the Gulf Islands National Seashore guide covers the full picture. For the best parks in Ocean Springs beyond the Davis Bayou unit, that category page covers the full list.