Cruisin the Coast RV Parking: Your Best Base in Bay St. Louis

Cruisin the Coast RV parking sells out fast. The event draws tens of thousands of classic car fans to the Mississippi Gulf Coast every October, and rigs fill every decent site from Waveland to Pascagoula within weeks of registration opening. If you are still looking for a spot — or planning ahead for next year — here is what you need to know.

Why Cruisin the Coast Makes RV Parking So Competitive

Cruisin the Coast is one of the largest unstructured car shows in the country. There is no single venue. Classic cars cruise the beachfront highway all week, and spectators follow. That spread-out format means location matters more than it does for a stadium event. An RV parked right on the beach boulevard puts you in the middle of the action. A site three miles inland puts you in traffic the whole trip.

The event typically runs for about a week in early October. That length — combined with the sheer number of rigs that come down from across the South and Midwest — means good sites are gone before most people realize registration is open. Waiting until late summer is usually too late.

What to Look for in Cruisin the Coast RV Parking

Not all sites along the coast are equal during the event. A few things worth checking before you book:

Pad size. Classic car week brings big rigs. If the park has a 35-foot maximum, a Class A or fifth wheel may not fit comfortably. Look for a 40- to 45-foot limit.

Pad surface. Gravel and grass sites turn to mud if October brings rain. Concrete pads are more predictable.

Hookups. A week-long stay in a Mississippi October is warm. Running air conditioning off your own battery or a generator for seven days is expensive and noisy. Full hookups — water, sewer, 30/50 amp electric — are worth paying for.

Location relative to the cruise route. The cars run South Beach Boulevard and the main coastal highway. A park directly on that corridor means you can watch the show from your site. A park set back from the water means you drive or golf-cart to the action.

Casino proximity. Evening events during Cruisin the Coast cluster around the Gulf Coast casinos. Staying within a short ride of at least one saves you from navigating the week's heaviest traffic at night.

For more on how to evaluate Gulf Coast options overall, see our guide to campgrounds in Hancock County, MS.

Bay St. Louis During Cruisin the Coast

Biloxi gets the most attention during Cruisin the Coast, but Bay St. Louis is a legitimate alternative — and for some rigs, a better one.

South Beach Boulevard runs right through Bay St. Louis, and classic cars roll through all week. You get the show without the grid-lock that hits Biloxi and Gulfport at peak hours. Biloxi is about 30 minutes east if you want to drive in for a specific event, so you are not cut off from anything.

Old Town Bay St. Louis adds something Biloxi does not have: a genuine walkable neighborhood. About a 10 minute drive north up Beach Boulevard, you get restaurants, art galleries, and a harbor worth an evening. During Cruisin the Coast week, Old Town fills with parked classics and people spilling out of the restaurants. It is worth one evening at minimum.

The Silver Slipper Casino sits right next door to the park — roughly a five-minute golf cart ride. Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast is about a 15 minute drive. Both host Cruisin the Coast-adjacent events during the week, and being able to reach one without fighting traffic is a real advantage.

If you are coming from New Orleans, Bay St. Louis is the first Gulf Coast stop — about 1 hour west of the city. That makes it an easy base for people who want to split time between the event and a city day trip.

Bay St. Louis Beachfront RV Park for Cruisin the Coast

Bay St. Louis Beachfront RV Park sits directly on South Beach Boulevard at 5311 South Beach Blvd — the same stretch of road the cars cruise. During Cruisin the Coast, that address is not a selling point to gloss over. It means you are on the route.

The park has 37 full-hookup beachfront pads with water, sewer, and 30/50 amp electric service. Pads are concrete and level — no leveling blocks needed after a long drive day. Maximum rig length is 45 feet, which handles most Class A coaches and longer fifth wheels. Every full-hookup pad has a picnic table and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

There are also 31 dry sites for self-contained rigs. Those sites have no water, sewer, or electric — your rig runs on its own tanks, battery, and generator capacity. They do include the same complimentary Wi-Fi. For a week-long stay in October heat, the full-hookup pads are worth the difference.

Golf cart rentals are available on site, which matters during Cruisin the Coast. Parking near the Silver Slipper or along the cruise route mid-week is a headache. A golf cart from the park solves most of it.

The park is self-contained rigs only — your rig needs its own shower and bathroom. That requirement keeps the park clean and quiet during a high-traffic event week, which is exactly what you want after a full day of car shows.

Monthly rates are available for those who want to stay for an extended period around the event. Contact the park directly for pricing, as rates vary.

For a closer look at what the full-hookup sites include, see Full Hookup RV Sites in Bay St. Louis: What You Actually Get.

Cruisin the Coast RV parking on South Beach Boulevard goes fast. If you want a beachfront concrete pad with full hookups and a golf cart to the Silver Slipper, book your site now at Campspot before the window closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum RV length at Bay St. Louis Beachfront RV Park? The maximum rig length is 45 feet. Back-in sites only. That accommodates most large Class A coaches and long fifth wheels.

Do the full-hookup sites have 50 amp service? Yes. The 37 full-hookup beachfront pads offer both 30 and 50 amp electric service, along with water and sewer hookups.

Can I bring my dog during Cruisin the Coast week? Yes. The park is pet-friendly, and Bay St. Louis beaches allow leashed pets. The event week is busy, so plan your walks for early morning or evening to avoid the thickest crowds.

How close is the park to the Cruisin the Coast cruise route? The park sits directly on South Beach Boulevard, which is part of the main cruise corridor. You can watch cars pass from the park.

How far in advance should I book Cruisin the Coast RV parking? As early as possible — ideally as soon as registration for the event opens, typically in spring. Good sites on the beach boulevard are gone well before summer ends most years.