National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Find a National Park Near You
Gulf Islands National Seashore Clouds hang heavy over the Gulf of Mexico.
view map
text size: largest larger normal
printer friendly
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Davis Bayou Area - Mississippi District
 
The Visitor Contact Station at Davis Bayou in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

NPS Photo

The William M. Colmer Visitor Center  is open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Davis Bayou Area is located south of U. S. hwy. 90 east of downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi and offers many recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, biking, birdwatching, picnicking, and ranger-led programs. There are no swimming beaches in the Davis Bayou Area.

The William M. Colmer Visitor Center is now open daily from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Visitors can find the park's passport stamp there, view a park orientation film and exhibits, and purchase items at the book store. Each weekend on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, visitors can enjoy a ranger-led program or special program by an invited guest speaker. Free park and trail maps, local orientation and other information is available. Please call (228) 875-9057 ext. 4100 to contact visitor center staff.

The Davis Bayou Trail is open and takes visitors through a coastal forest and over two local bayous. The trail is approximately two miles long. The short boardwalk over Stark Bayou is the only part of the trail that is wheelchair accessible. Bikes are not permitted on the trail. Trail guides are located at the William M. Colmer visitor Center.

The park's fishing pier is open and a Mississippi state saltwater fishing license is required. 

Visitors may launch a boat from one of several launch slips. The cost of using the boat ramp is $3.00 ($1.50 for Interagency Senior Pass and Access pass holders) or visitors can purchase an annual boat launch pass for $20 for one year; or $10 per year for Senior or Access pass holders.

Three pavilions are available for reservation for group activities. Pavilion reservations can be made Saturday through Wednesday by calling (228) 875-3962.

The Davis Bayou Campground is open to the public. The group camping area and is available for reservations by organized groups of 10 or more. Call (228) 875-3962.

The grounds around the visitor center are open from 8:00 a.m.- sunset. The rest of the park, including the trails, pavilions and boat launch areas is open from 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily.

 

 
A juvenile armadillo forages for food in Davis Bayou.
NPS Photo
A juvenile armadillo forages for food along the Davis Bayou Trail.

You are exiting the National Park Service website

Thank you for visiting our site.

You will now be redirected to:

We hope your visit was informative and enjoyable.
The arches at Fort Massachusetts are made of red and tan bricks.

Did You Know?
Gulf Islands National Seashore's Fort Massachusetts, on West Ship Island 12 miles off the Mississippi coastline, was covered by the 30-foot storm surge from Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005. The fort has been reopened to the public.
Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: November 22, 2011 at 09:51 MST