Grand Gulf Military Park

This remote gem is well worth it. Lots of history to experience. We enjoyed walking through the old buildings, water wheel, cemetery, battlements, and seeing the old submarine. The upper campground has a steep hill but the sites are more spacious. We came in after hours so they gave us a code to get in the gate. Very few folks here so very quiet and peaceful. We have seen lots of deer. It was an overnight stop for us but will come back. Our site was level and we did not unhook. Cell service is sketchy.

We picked up our 21’ trailer on Friday and stayed here Saturday night en route back home. As a certified principal I now homeschool, and believe the world is an amazing classroom. We will definitely be returning! Admission includes access to the museum, carriage house and all sites around the military park, but even better is the gates are locked 5pm-8am (you get close if need to leave). Why is this good? Only you and overnight campers are exploring the old church, gun embankments, 75’ observation tower, Spanish house, cemetery, Spanish house and more... and with only 42 campsites plus tents, it is not crowded. I will attach photos. Only wildlife we saw was one deer.
Mississippi River:
It was super hot in July so we did not walk the quarter mile to the river on the river road but will next time. River boats use this as a port on some itineraries, and we are avid cruisers, so this was neat to see anyway for us since ships are not currently sailing.
Museum (included in admission):
The museum has artifacts from Civil War, WW I and II, and Indian artifacts 5000-7000 years old. If not staying here our admission to the grounds would have been $4/adult, $3/senior, $1/child which is included in your $25 overnight stay anyway. The Carriage House is also only open 8-5 and just out behind the museum.
Campgrounds:
Upper and Lower. We stayed in lower - site 4. Lucky to get one bar of cell service but with only 22 sites there the peace was nice. Water, sewer and electricity hookups on perfectly level concrete pad. Due to Covid the bathhouses were closed so did not check those out, but had to be self contained to be able to stay there. For our stay, there were only three campers in Lower and two campers in Upper - and that included our own out of those five. Reservations over telephone and must check in by 4:30 at the museum before it’s closed and gate locked at 5:00. All sites looked to be back in, and my first time ever driving anything larger than my SUV was pulling our new trailer back home from here - and I was successful!
Nearby town:
Port Gibson. Go explore Natchez Trace Parkway. Have the best fried chicken ever at the Old Country Store in Lorman (25 minutes away).
We will be returning for longer. Our children were not with us for picking up and transporting camping trailer, but when we hit the road for longer trips beginning in September we will most definitely be back.
Reservations:
Not online but must call in. No reservation number but they take your basic info. I called the day of to verify once again since I’m so accustomed to having email confirmations in my travel folder.
Staff:
I believe his name was Mack in the Museum and he was super friendly and knowledgeable. We all wore masks (required to enter due to Covid) and learned a lot. We have rented an RV in previous times and I grew up camping in tents and pop-ups, so am new to owning, but would not hesitate returning at all. Truly a hidden gem off the beaten path.
Other Thoughts:
I wish this facility received federal funds like Vicksburg to have better lighting in the cases to preserve the amazing artifacts they have on display for future generations - the quality of what’s inside is just that good!! Anyone with any interest in history must check this place out, even if not camping - especially since the maximum cost is $4 per person. Very well worth the trip off the beaten path!!!

Campground has two campgrounds. One on the lower level, which seemed a little tight for us in a 35' fifth wheel. However, there were two other campers there with rigs our size so it is doable. We stayed in the upper campground which was more spacious between sites, but the ground sloped off fairly rapidly from the pad. Had a nice museum in the office area. We picked this campground based on the fact that it was midway between Natchez and Vicksburg. It turned out that the trip to Vicksburg was acceptable, but the trip to Natchez was over an hour and a little longer than we would have liked. If we were to do it over, I think we would have stayed in the state park close to Natchez and then moved up to this park for visiting Vicksburg.

Road is as previously stated, windy and narrow, but overall not bad. Friendly and helpful ranger who gave us good recommendations for eating out and things to do. Visit the Old Country Store and Mr. D for the BEST fried chicken.

It was so quiet and peaceful and we really enjoyed walking around the park and down to the river.

Only negative is some of the sites have some trees where the branches should be trimmed and cell service isn't that good.

We enjoyed our time here and would stay again if in area.

A beautiful place down a long drive on a narrow winding hilly asphalt road to this hidden gem. Two campgrounds, one on the flat and the other on top of a hill. Surrounded with hiking trails, historic buildings and sites and deep southern woods.

I'm sure it is busy on weekends and holidays during school breaks, but lovely and quiet other times. Only problem is little to no cell service. Not a bad thing for most.

This is just off the beaten track between Vicksburg and Natchez. It is worth the short drive to find this little piece of heaven.