NOTICE: All RV campsites 1-25 (except 87-108 pull thru sites), primitive campsites, & bathhouses will be closed for renovations until further notice. Your camper must be self-contained. We apologize for the inconvenience but appreciate your patience during this time.
Located in the heart of Mississippi's pine belt region, Paul B. Johnson State Park is the gateway to a natural wonderland marked by majestic long-leaf and loblolly pines, delicate dogwoods, and ancient oaks. The deep forests surrounding Paul B. Johnson provides a picturesque setting for a variety of outdoor activities. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is just a 20-minute drive to the north, making Paul B. Johnson State Park the perfect place to spend a football weekend.
319 Geiger Lake Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
United States
Day use and overnight camping.
From MS Hwy 49 South
Paul B. Johsnon State Park is located 15 miles sout of Hattiesburg on MS Hwy 49 South. Turn off of Hwy 49 onto Geiger Lake Road, drive.4 miles, Welcome to Paul B. Johnson State Park.
Find and learn more about Paul B. Johnson State Park...
A variety of recreational activities and facilities are available at Paul B. Johnson State Park. Facilities for use include: visitor center and game room, picnic tables and grills, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, splash pad, disc golf, swimming, and nature trails. Fishing, boating, and water skiing are available on Geiger Lake, a 225 acre fresh water lake.
The Visitor Center houses the welcome desk, lounge, park office, meeting room, game room, and outdoor deck. Register at the welcome desk when checking-in to park facilities.
The welcome area features a permanent display of the flags of the United States of America. The lounge area is a family den setting with magazines and books to read. The meeting room accommodates up to 70 people and is available for reservations. The game room features video games and pool tables. An outdoor deck with a porch swing overlooks the beach and Geiger Lake.
Contact the park office at (601) 582-7721 for specific information on facilities, seating capacity, and cost.
Picnic shelters and picnic tables are positioned in a grassed area under the canopy of large pine trees. Some tables are set near the waters edge of Geiger Lake and others are set in an adjacent wooded area with views of the lake.
Six large picnic pavilions with tables overlook Geiger Lake. The pavilions are great facilities for large group outings and family reunions. Pavilions are available by reservation. Contact the park office at (601) 582-7721.
Three comfort stations are conveniently located near paved parking areas. Lake swimming is permitted in a designated area.
A sand beach and swimming area is located behind the Visitor Center. Lake swimming is also available in the picnic area at designated location.
The "Trail of the Southern Pines" provides an interesting and educational look at Mississippi plant, bird, and animal life.
The splash pad is a 5,000 square foot water playground offering zero depth water fun on the shore of Geiger Lake. The splash pad features 37 fanciful water sprays and jets. Children can enjoy sliding down a smiling frog's tongue or getting splashed by overhead buckets of water. Children can venture through a gauntlet of colored standing spray loops or be encircled by a curtain of water at the mushroom. They can soak each other with water cannons, and play with varying water jets, sprays, and bubblers.
Eight picnic tables with bright colored hanging sails provide an excellent place for shade. There is also a pavilion adjacent to the splash pad that is available to rent for birthday parties and family gathering. Restrooms and changing facilities are located nearby.
An admission fee is required to access the splash pad. The splash pad is open (weather permitting) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. according to the following schedule:
The splash pad is available for private parties - contact the park office at (601) 582-7721 for details.
At the center of Paul B. Johnson State Park is Geiger Lake, a 225 acre fresh water lake offering fishing and water sports. A map depicting the depths of the lake is available at the below link.
The lake is well stocked with Florida Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, Copper Nose Bream, Shell Cracker (Red Ear), Crappie, and Channel Catfish. Geiger Lake is checked yearly by biologist for restocking needs. Fertilization and other enhancements to the lake are also performed yearly as deemed necessary by department biologists.
A Mississippi fishing license is required for all persons between the ages of 16 and 65. Licenses may be purchased at the park office for a nominal fee.
A boat launch, dock, and paved trailer parking area is located near the visitor center. A nominal fee is required for use of the boat launch. Daily or annual permits are available.
Skiing, pleasure boating, and personal watercraft hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
No fishing is permitted within the skiing area during skiing hours.
Paul B. Johnson State Park features two 18 basket disc golf courses, Desert Fox and Winter Fox Disc Golf. Desert Fox has played host to the world's largest attendance Ice Bowl tournament held in January and host to the Mississippi State Championships in June. Also, Big Rip Classic in November.
Day use entry fee allows use of the disc golf course. Players must provide their own disc. Maps and scorecards are available at the Visitor Center. Disc are for sale in office camp store.
March
Easter Egg Hunt Saturday before Easter
July
4th of July - contact Park for details
October
Fall Festival
Features a fishing rodeo, games, costume contest, and hay ride.
The following attractions are located within a short drive of Paul B. Johnson State Park. The park staff will be happy to provide you with directions.
Mailing Address: Paul B. Johnson State Park, 319 Geiger Lake Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
There are several options when it comes to staying overnight. The park offers 125 RV campsites, 25 primitive tent campsites, 16 cabins, 3 cottages, and a group camp facility. These facilities are located in wooded areas with views of Geiger Lake.
Reservations are encouraged. Reservations can be made by calling the park at (601) 582-7721 or by calling
1-800-GO PARKS (1-800-467-2757).
Sites 1-86 and 109-125 are closed for renovations.
No laundry or bathhouse facilities during renovations.
A scenic hill shaded by stately pines provides the setting for 125 RV campsites with many of the campsites providing lakefront camping. All of the campsites feature water, sewer, and electrical hook-ups. Picnic tables and grills are located throughout the developed camping area. Campground roads and RV pads are paved. The RV campground features a private beach and lake swimming area.
Three bathhouses with hot showers and restrooms are located in the campground. A RV sewage dump station is located off the main park drive near the campgrounds.
Campsites can be reserved by contacting the park office at (601) 582-7721 or by our online reservation system.
Laundry facilities are provided for park campers. Laundry facilities are located at two of the bathhouses in the developed campground.
Twenty-five sites in a secluded, pastoral setting are set aside for primitive tent camping. The area provides privacy in a wooded area behind the northern developed campground. There are no amenities.
Lakeview cabin at Paul B. Johnson State Park
Paul B. Johnson features 16 cabins, all offering direct access to Geiger Lake. Cabins sleep four and feature one or two bedrooms, kitchen, den, and a bathroom with shower. Cabins offer central air conditioning and heat and are furnished with a TV, stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, and basic cooking and eating utensils. Bed and bath linens are provided. Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government buildings.
An outdoor patio area features a picnic table and grill. Reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling the park office at (601) 582-7721 or by our online reservation system.
The park offers three lakefront cottages with porches overlooking Geiger Lake. The cottages feature a den with dining and kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms with queen size beds. Each cottage will sleep four. Cottages have central heat and air conditioning, and are furnished with bed and bath linens, a refrigerator, stove, and basic cooking and eating utensils. Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government buildings.
Outdoors, a picnic table and grill are provided. Reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling the park at (601) 582-7721 or by our online reservation system.
Laundry facilities are located at two of the bathhouses in the developed campground.
Located across Geiger Lake from the main park area, Paul B. Johnson's group camp offers housing for groups of 40 to 146 campers. Housing is provided by an air conditioned dormitory that sleeps 104 and 3 huts that sleep 14 each. All sleeping quarters are bunk style. Campers should bring bed linen, pillow, towels, soap, and other personal items. Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government buildings.
The dormitory features two separate sleeping areas accommodating 52 each. A meeting room at the dormitory features a fireplace, tables, chairs, refrigerator, cabinets, and sink.
The dining hall comfortably seats 150 and features a commercial kitchen with cafeteria style serving.
Reservations
Group camp facilities are available by reservations only and are not available to groups not wishing food services. Reservations can be made by contacting the park at (601) 582-7721.
Group Camp Minimum Requirements
Group Camp Rates
Additional facilities include a large pavilion near the dormitory, a small pavilion near the lake, a lake front chapel, a swimming area with pier, and a ball field.
Upon leaving, all areas must be clean and will be inspected by a Park Ranger. If you have any questions concerning the group camp, please call (601) 582-7721 - any day of the week between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The Dining Hall and Blue Bird Chapel can be utilized for weddings. Contact the park office for more information.
