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
Construction is underway!
Visitors will be greeted with the sounds of construction when returing to Buccaneer State Park. Contractors are working vigorously within the park rebuilding park attactions 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-strom conditions. Crews are also currently busy with construction on the park's campstore and recrecation hall, laundry facilities, wading pool, day use picnic area and pavilion.
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
- World War II D-Day Museum
- Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
- Aquarium of Americas
- French Market
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Fishing License Information
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
1-25, Barataria Bay 26-47, Long John Silver
48-68, Pirates Cove 69-93 and Blackbeard 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. A handicap
accessable bathhouse with hot showers is located
nearby. Awake to a spectatular sunrise
or sunsets 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.
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.
Bathhouses
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.
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.
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).
Playground
A large playground has been built and is designed
to accommodate kids of all ages. This playground is located
by Pavilion 3 and includes a rock climber, 3 swings sets,
monkey-bars, multiple slides, merry-go-round, fireman's pole, and a
new sphere challenge climber.







