It is one of the most important protected areas for the biological diversity of the Gulf Coast ecoregion of North America.

[6] This national forest also offers year-round opportunities for outdoor activities, including camping, canoeing, bird-watching, photography, hunting, fishing, and more.

Black Creek is a popular stream for canoeing, camping, and fishing, and is Mississippi's only designated National Wild and Scenic River.

The local ranger district office is in Wiggins, which is surrounded by the national forest on three sides: north, east, and south.

In descending order of land area they are Perry, Wayne, Harrison, Forrest, Stone, Greene, Jones, Jackson, George, and Pearl River counties.