Paul B. Johnson State Park sits in the piney woods of Forrest County, Mississippi, built around the 225-acre Geiger Lake — the centerpiece that gives this park its character. Named for a former Mississippi governor, the park draws visitors who want lakeside recreation without the crowds of Gulf Coast beaches.

What makes it special: Geiger Lake is the main attraction. The water is clear enough for swimming at the sandy beach, calm enough for kayaking, and stocked well enough to keep anglers coming back for bass, bream, and catfish. A disc golf course winds through the pine and hardwood forest, giving the park something most Mississippi state parks lack.

Key activities: Fishing from the bank or a rented boat, swimming at the designated beach area, hiking the nature trail that loops through longleaf pine forest, and paddling the lake by canoe or kayak. The disc golf course is a local favorite. Picnic pavilions and playgrounds make it practical for families.

Camping: The park offers both developed campsites with water and electric hookups and cabin rentals along the lake. Sites are shaded by mature pines, and several sit close enough to the water to hear it from your tent.

Best time to visit: Spring and fall deliver the most comfortable weather — Mississippi summers are hot and humid, though the lake helps. Weekdays in any season mean fewer visitors and better fishing.

Expect: A laid-back, lake-focused park that does water recreation well without pretending to be something it’s not.

Explore Nearby

• De Soto National Forest — National Forest in Mississippi
• St. Joseph Island Light — Lighthouse in Mississippi
• Ship Island Light — Lighthouse in Mississippi
• Bienville National Forest — National Forest in Mississippi
• the Coastal Connection scenic byway — Scenic Byway in Alabama