Wilderness areas within the Desoto National Forest include Black Creek Wilderness, and Leaf Wilderness.

The De Soto, which is mostly "pineywoods," covers a gently rolling terrain with stands of longleaf, slash, and loblolly pine. The winding streams, unique to the Forest, form bottomlands that grow hardwood timber. Abundant rainfall and a long warm growing season combine to make the pine forest of the De Soto especially productive. The Forest also produces game in abundance, including deer, turkey, and quail. Streams are often tea-colored from tannic acid leaching from tree leaves and bark in wooded swamps.

De Soto National Forest, the largest National Forest in Mississippi, contains approximately 501,000 acres and is managed by three Ranger Districts. Many recreational activities can be found on the three ranger districts. One of the most popular activities is floating the winding streams in canoe, raft, or jon-boat. Numerous hiking trails provide the nature lover, history buff, and hiker with the chance to view nature at its best. Picnicking, fishing, and camping are also available.

• Biloxi Ranger District -
• Black Creek Ranger District -
• Chickasawhay Ranger District -

• Visit the Southern Region's only tree nursery, located on the De Soto National Forest. The Ashe Forest Tree Nursery produces about 30 million pine seedlings each year for reforesting the Southern Region National Forests.
• Take a canoe trip down the beautiful Black Creek which winds through the center of the Desoto National Forest.