If you have questions about purchasing a license call 1-800-5GO-HUNT.
About The Park
NOTICE: All RV campsites 1-125 (except 87-108 pull thru sites), primitive campsites, & bathhouses will be closed for renovations until further notice. Your camper must be self-contained. We apologize for the inconvenience but appreciate your patience during this time.
Located in the heart of Mississippi's pine belt region, Paul B. Johnson State Park is the gateway to a natural wonderland marked by majestic long-leaf and loblolly pines, delicate dogwoods, and ancient oaks. The deep forests surrounding Paul B. Johnson provides a picturesque setting for a variety of outdoor activities. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is just a 20-minute drive to the north, making Paul B. Johnson State Park the perfect place to spend a football weekend.
Address
319 Geiger Lake Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
United States
Entrance Fee
$2.00 per person, 5 years of age and under - free
Phone
+1 601-582-7721
Email
Hours of Operation
8 AM to 5 PM, Seven Days a Week
Reserve a spot
now!
now!
Day use and overnight camping.
Directions
From MS Hwy 49 South
- Turn off of Hwy 49 onto Geiger Lake Road
- Drive 0.4 miles
- Welcome to Paul B. Johnson State Park.
Paul B. Johnson State Park Interactive Map
Find and learn more about Paul B. Johnson State Park...
Things To Do
A variety of recreational activities and facilities are available at Paul B. Johnson State Park. Facilities for use include: visitor center, picnic tables and grills, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, splash pad, disc golf, swimming, and nature trails. Fishing, boating, and water skiing are available on Geiger Lake, a 225 acre fresh water lake.
Amenities
Amenities
RV Campground
Tent Campground
Cabins/Cottages
Group Camp
Visitor / Meeting Room
Campground Laundry
Boat Launch
Fishing
Splash Pad
Water Skiing
Pavilions/Picnic Areas
Playground
Disc Golf
Nature Trail
Camp Store
Visitor/Activity Building
Visitor/Activity Building
The Visitor Center houses the welcome desk, lounge, park office, meeting room, and outdoor deck. Register at the welcome desk when checking-in to park facilities.
The lounge area is a family den setting with magazines and books to read. The meeting room accommodates up to 70 people and is available for reservations. An outdoor deck with a porch swing overlooks the beach and Geiger Lake.
Contact the park office at (601) 582-7721 for specific information on facilities, seating capacity, and cost.
Picnic Sites/Pavilions
Picnic Sites/Pavilions
Picnic shelters and picnic tables are positioned in a grassy area under the canopy of large pine trees. Some tables are set near the waters edge of Geiger Lake and others are set in an adjacent wooded area with views of the lake.
Six large picnic pavilions with grills and tables overlook Geiger Lake. The pavilions are great facilities for large group outings and family reunions. Pavilions are available by reservation. Contact the park office at (601) 582-7721.
Two comfort stations are conveniently located near paved parking areas. Lake swimming is permitted in a designated area.
Playground
Playground
There are two playgrounds near the visitor's center. They are located in the day-use area and open to all park goers.
Water Activities
Water Activities
Geiger Lake
At the center of Paul B. Johnson State Park is Geiger Lake, a 225 acre fresh water lake offering fishing and water sports.
Fishing
The lake is well stocked with Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, Bream, Shell Cracker (Red Ear), Crappie, and Channel Catfish. Geiger Lake is checked yearly by biologist for restocking needs. Fertilization and other enhancements to the lake are also performed yearly as deemed necessary by department biologists.
A Mississippi fishing license is required for all persons between the ages of 16 and 65. Licenses may be purchased at the park office for a fee.
Boating
A boat launch, dock, and paved trailer parking area is located near the visitor center. Lake rules are located on a sign at the boat launch. A fee is required for use of the boat launch. Daily or annual permits are available for purchase at the gatehouse. Skiing, pleasure boating, and personal watercraft hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Fishing is not permitted within the skiing area during skiing hours.
Geiger Lake Beach and Swimming
A sand beach and swimming area is located behind the Visitor Center. Lake swimming is also available in the picnic area at designated location. Lake swimming hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Splash Pad
The splash pad is a 5,000 square foot water playground offering zero depth water fun on the shore of Geiger Lake. The splash pad features 37 fanciful water sprays and jets. Children can enjoy sliding down a frog's tongue or getting splashed by overhead buckets of water. Children can venture through a gauntlet of colored standing spray loops or be encircled by a curtain of water at the mushroom.
Rules:
- All diapers worn in splash pad area must be swim diapers.
- Chewing gum, water balloons, and smoking are not permitted in splash pad area.
Eight picnic tables with bright colored hanging sails provide an excellent place for shade. These picnic tables are first-come, first-serve. Restrooms and changing facilities are located nearby.
An admission fee is required to access the splash pad. The splash pad is open (weather permitting) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. according to the following schedule:
- Memorial Day Weekend to August 1st: open seven days a week
- August 2nd to Labor Day Weekend: open only on Saturday and Sunday
Contact the park office at (601) 582-7721 for details.
Disc Golf
Disc Golf
Desert Fox & Arctic Fox Disc Golf Course
Paul B. Johnson State Park features two 18 basket disc golf courses, Desert Fox and Arctic Fox Disc Golf. Desert Fox has played host to the state's largest attendance Ice Bowl Tournament held in January and host to the Mississippi State Championships in June. Also, Big Rip Classic in November.
Kit Fox Disc Golf Course
This course is perfect for practice, beginners, and is also open to the public during tournament play.
Day use entry fee allows use of the disc golf course. Players must provide their own disc. Maps and scorecards are available at the Visitor Center. Disc are for sale in office camp store.
Stay The Night
There are several options when it comes to staying overnight. The park offers 125 RV campsites, 25 primitive tent campsites, 12 cabins, two duplexes, three cottages, and a group camp facility. These facilities are located in wooded areas with views of Geiger Lake.
Developed Camping
Developed Camping
Camping
Sites 1-86 and 109-125 are closed for renovations.
No laundry or bathhouse facilities during renovations.
Developed Campground
A scenic hill shaded by stately pines provides the setting for 125 RV campsites with many of the campsites providing lakefront camping. All of the campsites feature water, sewer, and electrical hook-ups. Picnic tables and grills are located throughout the developed camping area. Campground roads and RV pads are paved. The RV campground features a private beach and lake swimming area.
Three bathhouses with hot showers and restrooms are located in the campground. A RV sewage dump station is located off the main park drive near the campgrounds.
Campsites can be reserved by contacting the park office at (601) 582-7721 or by our online reservation system.
Vacation Cabins
Vacation Cabins
Lakeview cabin at Paul B. Johnson State Park
Cabins
Paul B. Johnson features 12 cabins and 2 duplexes, all offering direct access to Geiger Lake. Cabins sleep four and feature one or two bedrooms, kitchen, den, and a bathroom with shower. Cabins offer central air conditioning and heat and are furnished with a TV, stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, and basic cooking and eating utensils. Bed and bath linens are provided. Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government buildings.
An outdoor patio area features a picnic table and grill. Reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling the park office at (601) 582-7721 or by our online reservation system.
Smoking is not permitted in any Mississippi Government building.
Pets are not allowed in lodging facilities or on the grounds of lodging facilities.
Group Camp
Group Camp
Group Camp Facility
Located across Geiger Lake from the main park area, Paul B. Johnson's group camp offers housing for groups of 40 to 146 campers. Housing is provided by an air conditioned dormitory that sleeps 104 and three huts that sleep 14 each. All sleeping quarters are bunk style. Campers must bring bed linen, pillow, towels, soap, and other personal items.
Smoking and Pets are not allowed in any Mississippi government buildings.
The dormitory features two separate sleeping areas accommodating 52 each. A meeting room at the dormitory features a fireplace, tables, chairs, refrigerator, cabinets, and sink.
The dining hall comfortably seats 150.
Reservations
Group camp facilities are available by reservations only.
Reservations can be made by contacting the park at (601) 582-7721.
Group Camp Minimum Requirements
- 45 guests, two nights stay during peak season (May 15 - September 15)
- 25 guests, one night stay during the off season (September 16 - May 14)
Contact Park for rates and reservations - (601)-582-7721
Additional facilities include a large pavilion near the dormitory, a small pavilion near the lake, a lake front chapel, a swimming area with pier, and a ball field.
Upon leaving, all areas must be clean and will be inspected by a Park Manager. If you have any questions concerning the group camp, please call (601) 582-7721 - any day of the week between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Weddings
The Dining Hall and Blue Bird Chapel can be utilized for weddings. Contact the park office for more information.
Group Camp Dining Hall
Laundry Facilities
Laundry Facilities
Laundry Facilities
Laundry facilities are coin operated and provided only for overnight campers. Laundry facilities are located at two of the bathhouses in the developed campground.
Primitive Camping
Primitive Camping
Primitive Tent Camping
25 sites in a secluded, pastoral setting are set aside for primitive tent camping. The area provides privacy in a wooded area behind the northern developed campground. There are no amenities. These are available on first-come, first-serve basis.
Vacation Cottages
Vacation Cottages
Cottages
The park offers three lakefront cottages with porches overlooking Geiger Lake. The cottages feature a den with dining and kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms with queen size beds. Each cottage will sleep four. Cottages have central heat and air conditioning, and are furnished with bed and bath linens, a refrigerator, stove, and basic cooking and eating utensils.
Smoking is not allowed in any Mississippi government buildings.
Pets are not allowed in lodging.
Outdoors, a picnic table and grill are provided. Reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made by calling the park at (601) 582-7721 or by our online reservation system.