Welcome to
Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge
A peaceful, family-friendly retreat in the heart of Gloster, Mississippi — your home base for comfort, community, and outdoor adventure.
Find Your Perfect Room
Room 101
Our one double and twin bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 102
Our one double and twin bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 103
Our one double and twin bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 104
Our two queen bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 106
Our two queen bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 107
Our two queen bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 108
Our one double and twin bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 109
Our one double and twin bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 110
Our king bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 111
Our one double and twin bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 112
Our two queen bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 113
Our two queen bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 114
Our king bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 115
Our one double and twin bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
Room 116
Our king bed rooms are quiet and comfortable with a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and table.
All rooms have individual air conditioners and include access to a spacious covered pavilion gathering area with fire pit and seating.
RV Parking
Our property offers spacious, easy-access RV parking spots perfect for travelers on the road.
Ideal for short stops or overnight stays.
Welcome to the Family
Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge is a family-run retreat nestled on five peaceful acres in the heart of Gloster, Mississippi. Whether you're here for one night or a longer stay, our goal is simple — make you feel right at home from the moment you arrive.
Whether you're settling into one of our 15 cozy lodge rooms or pulling your RV into one of our 30 spacious sites, you'll find everything you need to feel right at home. Our lodge rooms are thoughtfully furnished with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, table, and individual air conditioning — quiet, clean, and comfortable with ample parking right outside your door. Our RV sites are easy-access with individual utility meters, making it simple to connect and settle in whether you're stopping for a night or staying for a while.
When the day winds down, gather with your fellow travelers at our covered pavilion and fire pit — the heart of Joe & Maria's. Roast marshmallows, share stories, or simply sit back and enjoy a quiet Mississippi evening under the stars. It's the kind of place that turns strangers into friends.
And when adventure calls, it's right outside our front gate. Just minutes from Homochitto National Forest, you can hike and bike through rolling pine hills, cast a line at nearby lakes, watch wildlife, or take a scenic drive through some of southwestern Mississippi's most beautiful countryside.
Family-run with heart. Home-like comfort. Perfect for all ages. And an unbeatable location that balances outdoor adventure with genuine rest.
At Joe & Maria's, you're not just staying somewhere — you're arriving home.
Learn More
Your Backyard Adventures
Homochitto National Forest
Homochitto National ForestRight in our backyard — minutes from Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge
Homochitto National Forest is Southwest Mississippi's best kept secret. Established in 1936 as the first of Mississippi's six national forests, it spans nearly 189,000 acres of stunning forest and grassland named after the Homochitto River — a Native American name meaning "big red."
You will find nature at its finest throughout the Homochitto National Forest. The Clear Springs Recreation Area is the crown jewel of the forest, featuring a man-made lake, campground, picnic grounds, swim area, and two hiking trails — with the Clear Springs Trail earning a reputation as one of the top three mountain bike trails in Mississippi.
The forest is also rich in wildlife, with deer, turkey, and small game hunting across two Wildlife Management Areas — Caston Creek and Sandy Creek. For horse enthusiasts, Brushy Creek offers 5.5 miles of designated horse trail through a delightful forest setting and uncharacteristically steep terrain. Okhissa Lake — a stunning 1,100-acre lake co-designed by legendary fisherman Bill Dance — is over 80 feet deep in areas and open for pleasure boating and swimming.
Whether you're an outdoor adventurer, a casual hiker, a fisherman, or simply someone who needs to breathe fresh air and slow down — Homochitto National Forest is right outside our front gate and ready to be explored.
Things to do:
- Hike scenic trails through rolling pine and hardwood hills
- Mountain bike the nationally recognized Clear Springs Trail
- Fish at Okhissa Lake & Clear Springs Lake
- Swim at the spring-fed Clear Springs Recreation Area
- Camp under the stars — developed & primitive sites available
- Hunt deer, turkey & small game
- Ride Brushy Creek Horse Trail — 5.5 miles of forested terrain
- Shoot at Woodman Springs Shooting Range
- Scenic drives through creeks, ridges & pine valleys
Homochitto National Forest, Mississippi fs.usda.gov/mississippi
Free entry — some recreation areas charge a small day-use fee
Natchez National Historical Park
Natchez National Historical Park~47 miles from Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge — approximately 1 hour
Managed by the National Park Service, Natchez National Historical Park preserves the rich and diverse history of Natchez, Mississippi through four distinct sites — Fort Rosalie, the William Johnson House, the Melrose Estate, and Forks of the Road.
Each site tells a different chapter of America's story. At the Melrose Estate, visitors can marvel at a perfectly preserved antebellum mansion, while the William Johnson House offers a glimpse into the life of a free Black businessman during the 19th century. The Fort Rosalie site provides insight into Mississippi's colonial history, with exhibits presenting the story of early French settlement in the region.
Whether you're a history buff or simply love exploring something meaningful, Natchez National Historical Park is one of the most rewarding day trips from Gloster. Pair it with a stroll along the Mississippi River bluffs, a visit to one of Natchez's grand antebellum mansions, or dinner in the charming historic downtown.
Visitor Center: Intersection of U.S. Highway 84 & Canal Street, Natchez, MS nps.gov/natc
Free admission — guided tours available
BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo
BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo~1.5 hours from Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge
Since 1970, BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo has offered an immersive experience for over 200,000 annual visitors of all ages. The first zoo in Louisiana to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it is home to more than 95 different species and over 900 animals.
Visitors can enjoy the Realm of the Tiger, featuring Sumatran and Malayan tigers, Siamang gibbons, a Koi pond, and a walk-through Asian aviary, as well as the Safari Playground, the Otter Pond, L'Aquarium de Louisiane, and KidsZoo. The newly opened Sapo Springs offers an immersive West African expedition with underwater viewing of pygmy hippos, colobus monkeys, and endangered birds — and the renovated Cypress Bayou Railroad now winds through scenic animal habitats on brand-new tracks.
A perfect full-day trip for families, couples, and anyone who loves wildlife and adventure.
Don't miss:
- Realm of the Tiger
- Sapo Springs — pygmy hippo underwater viewing
- New giraffe exhibit
- Cypress Bayou Railroad ride
- Parrot Paradise & KidsZoo
3601 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70811
(225) 775-3877 brzoo.org
Open daily — extended weekend hours April through August, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m
Magnolia Wilds
Magnolia Wilds~1.5 hours from Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge — Ethel, Louisiana
Magnolia Wilds is a vibrant wildlife conservation and adventure park in Ethel, Louisiana, just 30 minutes from Baton Rouge. Spanning 32 wild acres of ziplines, native wildlife, immersive animal encounters, and conservation education — adventure, wonder, and nature are all waiting for your visit.
The park sits alongside the scenic Comite River and is adorned with ancient magnolia trees, oaks, elms, and diverse native flora, and is home to a Safari Park featuring over 20 unique animal species roaming 115 acres — representing wildlife from Africa, Australia, North America, and beyond.
With over 50 species of animals including hyenas, binturongs, zebras, lynx, capybaras, and more, the Wild Discovery Tour puts you up close and personal with an educated guide leading animal encounters — including walking through the kangaroo exhibit and a petting zoo. Rated among the top 8 otter swim experiences in the United States, the otter swim is a bucket-list experience for the whole family.
A perfect full-day adventure for families, couples, and anyone who loves wildlife — especially with kids!
Don't miss:
- Kangaroo Walk-a-bout
- Safari Wagon Adventure — zebras, bison & more
- Otter Swim Experience
- Sloth Encounter
- Louisiana's longest zipline — 8 lines across 32 acres
- Exotic Reptile Show
- Gem & Arrowhead Mine activity
11342 Hwy 955, Ethel, LA 70730 (225) 286-3003 magnoliawilds.com
Open daily 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Louisiana Art & Science Museum
Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM)~1.5 hours from Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge — Downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Situated on the picturesque banks of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum is one of the region's most notable cultural institutions — combining art galleries and science exhibits under one spectacular roof. The museum is housed in the historic Baton Rouge Station, originally built for the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad — a magnificent landmark that once served as a bustling hub of rail travel between Memphis and New Orleans, and today adds a fascinating layer of history to every visit.
Inside, visitors can move seamlessly between art, science, and history. Changing exhibitions highlight regional and national artists, while the permanent collection includes fan favorites like the Ancient Egypt Gallery and its remarkable 2,300-year-old mummy. Younger visitors can dive into interactive science galleries designed to spark imagination, and the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium offers immersive shows on everything from deep space to Earth's natural wonders.
From public art walking tours to hands-on engineering workshops, planetarium shows, and rotating exhibitions — there's always something new to explore, making it a perfect outing for families, couples, and curious minds of all ages.
Don't miss:
- Irene W. Pennington Planetarium — immersive space shows
- Ancient Egypt Gallery — featuring a 2,300-year-old mummy
- Rotating art exhibitions from regional & national artists
- Interactive hands-on science galleries for all ages
- The historic 1925 railway depot building itself
100 South River Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 lasm.org
Wednesday–Friday 10am–3pm | Saturday 10am–5pm | Sunday 1pm–5pm
Longwood
Longwood~47 miles from Joe & Maria's RV Park and Lodge — approximately 1 hour
Longwood is the crown jewel of the historic properties of Natchez — and one of the most extraordinary and haunting landmarks in all of the American South. A National Historic Landmark listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Longwood is the largest octagonal house in the United States, designed in the Oriental Villa style and crowned with a unique onion-shaped dome rising six stories above the Mississippi countryside.
Designed in 1859 by Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan for cotton planter Dr. Haller Nutt and his wife Julia, construction began in 1860 but was halted in 1861 by the outbreak of the Civil War. The craftsmen — all from the Northeast — dropped their tools where they stood and fled home. Those tools remain exactly where they were left to this day.
The contrast between the ornately decorated first floor and the eerily unfinished upper floors is what makes Longwood unlike any other historic home in America — vividly illustrating the dramatic impact of the Civil War on the lives of real families. Stepping inside Longwood is like stepping back in time, with beautifully preserved rooms filled with period furnishings, intricate details, and fascinating stories that bring the history of the mansion to life.
A truly unforgettable day trip — no history lover should visit southwestern Mississippi without seeing it.
What to know:
- Largest octagonal house in the United States
- Original tools still on the floor where workers left them in 1861
- Beautiful grounds and gardens surrounding the mansion
- Featured in HBO's True Blood (2010)
- Guided tours available year-round — no reservation required
140 Lower Woodville Rd, Natchez, MS 39120 natchezpilgrimage.com
Tours on the hour — first tour 9:00 AM, last tour 4:00 PM