After nearly two years of construction, Mississippi’s Paul B. Johnson State Park will reopen its renovated campground in a June 13 “soft opening,” park officials said. The cabins—originally expected to be available this month—are now slated to follow in July, WLOX reported.
Construction work began on September 5, 2023, and touched nearly every facet of the approximately 805-acre property, from underground utilities to interior roads and guest lodgings, the department’s project outline shows.
The initial timeline called for the campgrounds to reopen in late February, but undisclosed construction delays forced the schedule to slide.
The renovated sites overlook the 225-acre Geiger Lake and now include full utility hookups, picnic tables, fire rings and grills, according to the same WDAM report.
Wider concrete pads and freshly paved access roads were added to improve maneuverability for large RVs and motorhomes.
For owners and managers watching the rollout, the soft-opening strategy offers a real-time playbook.
Before any paying guest checks in, operators can run a standardized punch-list on each campsite, invite friends and family for a 48-hour preview to surface hidden glitches, and give frontline staff a single script that spells out what amenities remain under construction.
Digital geofence alerts can steer guests around active work zones, while temporarily blocking inventory one site away from heavy equipment helps protect review scores.
Park officials said they will contact anyone whose existing reservation might be affected by the shifting cabin schedule.
Industry peers may consider the same proactive outreach; consistent messaging typically keeps call volumes low and guest satisfaction high.
Once the dust settles, operators can start turning capital upgrades into revenue.
High-resolution photos of spotless pads and paved roads boost click-through rates on both third-party and direct-booking channels.
Limited-time founder’s rates can seed early five-star reviews, while premium add-ons—pre-split firewood, grill-tool rentals or kayak packages tied to the lake view—help recoup construction costs.
Sustainability sells, too.
Spotlighting new LED pathway lights, low-flow fixtures and native landscaping may open doors to marketing grants or local tax incentives.
Mid-week “test-camp” partnerships with nearby RV dealers can fill shoulder-night vacancies and showcase the improvements to would-be buyers.
If inspections stay on schedule, the state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks expects full capacity later this summer.
The makeover arrives as public campgrounds across the Gulf South pour money into infrastructure aimed at record numbers of RV travelers.
Paul B. Johnson State Park sits about 10 miles south of Hattiesburg and is named for Paul B. Johnson Jr., Mississippi’s 54th governor (1964-1968). (His father, Paul B. Johnson Sr., was the 46th governor.)
Beyond camping, it draws anglers, wildflower watchers and disc-golf players—the park offers two 18-basket courses, Desert Fox and Arctic Fox, plus a practice course called Kit Fox—all of whom will soon navigate smoother roads to reach a freshly updated slice of Pine Belt recreation.