Buccaneer State Park
1150 South Beach BoulevardWaveland, MS 39576
(228) 467-3822
buccaneer@mdwfp.state.ms.us
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, the most devastating storm in the history of the United States, came ashore. Winds of over 140 MPH and a tidal surge of nearly 30 feet completely destroyed all of Buccaneer State Park's structures, waterpark and support facilities. The park has been under complete and varying stages of reconstruction over the last seven years, and is being beautifully restored. Phases I and II of construction are complete. Phase III of construction is currently underway, and is scheduled to be completed by early spring 2013. Located on the beach in Waveland, Buccaneer is in a natural setting of large moss-draped oaks, marshlands and the Gulf of Mexico. Use of this land was first recorded in history in the late 1700's when Jean Lafitte and his followers were active in smuggling and pirating along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The French Buccaneer, Lafitte, inhabited the old Pirate House located a short distance from what is now the park. The park site, also known as Jackson's Ridge, was used as a base of military operations by Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson later returned to this area and built a house on land that is now Buccaneer State Park.

Amenities
Directions
Directions to Park
Construction nearing
completion!
The sounds of construction continue at Buccaneer State Park.
Contractors are still working vigorously within the park rebuilding
park attractions including the very popular Buccaneer Bay
Waterpark. The first two phases brought campsites and support
facilities. Phase III is the highly anticipated final phase that
will bring the park back to its pre-storm conditions. Crews
are also currently busy with construction on the park's campstore
and recreation hall, laundry facilities, wading pool, day use
picnic area and pavilion. Contact the park office (228)
467-3822 for more details.
Area Attractions
The following area attractions are located within a short drive of
Buccaneer State Park. The park staff will be happy to provide
directions.
- New Orleans French Quarter
- Stennis Space Center / NASA
- Old Town Bay St. Louis
- Beauvoir Jefferson Davis Shrine
- Biloxi Shrimping Trip
- World War II D-Day Museum
- Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
- Aquarium of Americas
- French Market
- Blue Tara Organic Blueberry P-Y-O (Poplarville)
- BlueJack Ridge Ranch (Poplarville)
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Fishing License Information
- Crosby Arboretum MSU (Picayune)
- Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum (Biloxi)
Annual Events
January
Sugar Bowl, Super Dome - New Orleans LA
2013 Super Bowl, New Orleans
Februrary
Senior Bowl, Mobile AL
Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Nereids Mardi Gras Parade. February 11, 2012
April
Blessing of the Fleet, Biloxi
Jazz Fest - New Orleans Fairgrounds
July
OLG Crab Festival
October
Cruisin' the Coast 2012
Developed Camping
Numerous changes within the campground have taken place since the
devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Today, the park has 206
premium campsites with full amenities including sewer. In addition
to the premium sites, Buccaneer has an additional 70 campsites that
are set on a grassy field overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. These
sites were redesigned after the storm for easier parking and
convenience for the visitor. These Gulf view sites only offer water
and electricity, are open on a limited basis and are only available
through the park office. A central dumping station and restroom is
located nearby. For more information about availablity
contact the park office at (228) 467-3822

Jeanne Lafitte - sites 1 - 25,
Barataria Bay - sites 26 -
47,
Long John Silver - sites 48 -
68,
Pirates Cove - sites 69 - 93
and
Blackbeard - sites 94 -
104
These unique individual loops offer premium campsites all with
water, electrical 30/50 amp service, sewer hook-up, picnic table,
and barbecue grill. Two newly- built handicap accessable bathhouses
with hot showers are centrally located within or nearby each
loop.
Treasure Cove - sites 105 -
149
Treasure Cove is the most seculeded section of the park and
consists of 45 premium campsites with water, electrical 30/50 amp,
sewer hook-up, picnic table, barbecue grill and fire pit. A
handicap accessable bathhouse with hot showers is centrally located
within this loop. The camping section also contains (4) double
sites, they are; sites 122-123, 130-131, 135-136 and 147-148. This
is a very popular section and reservations are highly
recommended.
Royal Cay - sites 150 -
206
Royal Cay campground is located near the rear of the park and
consists of 57 premium campsites with water, electrical 30/50 amp
and sewer hook-up. The sites in this loop have limestone pads. This
loop does not contain picnic tables, barbecue grills or fire pits,
however, guest are welcome to bring their own tables or grills.
Campfires are permitted in this area but must contained and may not
be left unattended.
Gulf View - sites 207 -
276
Overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico are 70 campsites with
water and electrical 30/50 amp services. These sites are reservable
only through the park office. The sites are set on a grassy field
with limstone parking and do not have sewer hook-ups, but a dump
station is located just a short distance away. Awake to a
spectatular sunrise or sunset with great gulf fishing right at your
door step. Campfires are allowed however they must be contained and
may not be left unattended.

Primitive Camping
Twenty-five primitive campsites are nestled in the back of the
Royal Cay camp area. A shell road will take you deep into a wooded
area near Grand Bayou. These sites are completely primitive with no
services. Restroom facilities are available and are located within
100 yards of the primitive camping area.
Laundry Facilities (CLOSED under
construction)
Laundry facilities are located inside the activities building.
(These facilities are included in Phase III construction plans and
are currently not available).
Bath Houses
Three newly designed bathhouses have been built to replace the
original bathhouses leveled by Hurricane Katrina. The bathhouses
have hot showers, are ADA accessible and are conveniently located
throughout Buccaneer's campground.
Pavilions
Two new pavilions have been constructed in Phase II, with another
pavilion to be built in Phase III. Pavilion III is located on the
main park across form Buccaneer Bay Waterpark. This covered
pavilion has ADA accessible restrooms, 8 picnic tables and is large
enough to seat about 75 people. Pavilion 3 would make an ideal
location for family reunions, company outings or any outdoor
function. Pavilion II is a stand-alone shelter, seats the same as
pavilon III, but does not have restrooms, however restrooms are
approximately 50 yards away.

Buccaneer Bay Waterpark
(CLOSED)
This 4.5 acre waterpark is in Phase III of reconstruction.
Construction began in December and is expected to be completed
summer 2013.
Buccaneer Bay Attractions (CLOSED under construction)
- Pirate's Lagoon Wave Pool (450,000 gallon - 17,400 sq ft surf pool)
- Pirate's Plunge ( over 390 feet of open twisting & turning waterslide)
- Pirate's Plank (340 ft. completely enclosed slide)
- Lil' Smuggler's Cove (kiddie pool & activity area)
- Sea Dog Galley (concessions & food court)
- Treasure Island (10,000 sq foot sun deck and lounge area)
- Castaway Cove (campground activity pool)
Campstore/Activities Building (CLOSED
under construction)
A seasonal campstore is available with camping supplies,
convenience store items, ice, souvenirs and wearing apparel. An
activities center within the complex is also seasonal and provides
activities for the kids, including video games, pool tables, ping
pong and foosh-ball. (The campstore/activities area is in Phase III
construction which is currently underway).
Jackson's Ridge Disk Golf
This Par 3, 18-Hole disk golf course designed though the
Mississippi Gulf Coast's beaufitul natural setting. The course has
tight and open fairways, natural obstacles and holes that come into
play along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. This 6359 ft course will
challenge the avid disk golfer, yet fun even for the most
inexperienced player. There is no charge to play, however the
normal park entrance fee is required.

Pirate's Alley Nature
Trail
Over 12,000 trees and varying vegetation was destroyed due to the
high winds and tidal surge of Hurricane Katrina. Now, nearly seven
years of new growth has changed the landscape of the trail, but
still provides an excellent opportunity for guest to see nature in
its most natural setting. This 1.8 mile, self-guided trail,
encompasses many species of Oaks, Magnolia, Pines and a variety of
indigenous plants and animals of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A pier
with a gazebo extends over Mud Bayou's canal. Here, visitors may
spot lots unique coastal wildlife including, Brown and White
Pelicans, Egrets, Osprey or feeding Blue Crabs.
Day Use - Picnic area (CLOSED under
construction)
The day use area is currently closed. Construction is underway and
should be complete summer 2013. Set under majestic Oaks, just off
of Beach Boulevard and overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. Known as
Jackson's Ridge, this 76 acre picnic area includes 40 picnic
tables, grills, a playground, and a large covered picnic pavilion
with ADA accessable restrooms.
Playground
A large playground is available. It is designed to accommodate
kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. This playground is
located by Pavilion 3 and includes a rock climber, 3 different
swings sets, monkey-bars, multiple slides, merry-go-round,
fireman's pole, and a new sphere challenge climber.

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