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Buccaneer State Park

1150 South Beach Boulevard
Waveland, 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.

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Amenities

Directions

Directions to Park

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.