Best Campgrounds near Corapeake, NC

State parks and private campgrounds within an hour of Corapeake, North Carolina provide a range of camping experiences from waterfront sites to forested retreats. Merchants Millpond State Park, located about 15 miles southwest in Gatesville, offers a unique ecosystem with cypress swamps and eastern woodlands. The park features multiple camping options including family campgrounds with standard amenities, canoe-in primitive sites on islands, and backpack camping areas. Davis Lakes Resort in Suffolk, Virginia, approximately 25 miles northeast, provides year-round camping with lakefront sites and various accommodation types from tent camping to cabins. First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, though farther at about 45 miles northeast, remains popular for its beach access and diverse camping options under canopies of live oaks and pines.

Reservations are essential for most established campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Merchants Millpond State Park requires advance planning, especially for its specialized canoe-in sites. As one camper noted, "If you stay at Merchants Millpond, make sure you take and use insect repellent and lots of it. I had the biggest problem with mosquitoes and ticks." The humid coastal climate creates ideal conditions for insects, particularly in the warmer months. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities including bathhouses with hot showers, though facilities vary in quality and maintenance. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds but may be limited in more remote areas of the parks. Weather conditions remain mild enough for year-round camping, with summer temperatures typically reaching the 80s during the day and 60s at night.

Many campers highlight water access as a primary attraction in the region. The swampy millpond at Merchants Millpond State Park offers distinctive paddling opportunities and wildlife viewing. According to one visitor, "The heart of the park lies in its swamps filled with cypress trees and cypress stumps." Wildlife sightings commonly include deer, turtles, and various bird species, with bears and alligators also native to the area though less frequently encountered. Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with some sites near highways experiencing traffic sounds throughout the night. Proximity to Virginia Beach provides additional recreational opportunities for those willing to drive, with several campgrounds serving as convenient basecamps for exploring both inland swamps and coastal attractions.

Best Camping Sites Near Corapeake, North Carolina (50)

    1. Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    16 Reviews
    Gatesville, NC
    9 miles
    +1 (252) 357-1191

    $27 / night

    "I still think it's the best one, it's the largest, right next to the main trail head, & bath house trail right ahead of the site. The bath house was real nice."

    "The campsites are great with ample room for privacy, and easily accessible to the restrooms and trails around the pond."

    2. Davis Lakes Resort

    8 Reviews
    Suffolk, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 539-1191

    $72 - $105 / night

    "The lakes are fun and we always have a great time. Some sites are amazing. Only 4 stars because of proximity to highway."

    "We had a personal guide to show us the location of our campsite. Campsites had wood decks which would be nice in warmer weather. Close to highway but reasonably quiet at night"

    3. Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    4 Reviews
    Gatesville, NC
    10 miles
    +1 (252) 357-1191

    $17 - $57 / night

    "We were looking for a reasonably quick (one overnight) camping trip that was different, but within a 2ish hour drive."

    "We did the canoe-in camping and brought out Hobie kayaks (beware if you bring them our mirage drive seemed to find every downed tree or cypress knob under the water 😜) Buoys marked the different routes"

    4. First Landing State Park Campground

    119 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 412-2300

    $28 - $40 / night

    "Very clean facilities and close by. Easy access to water. Close proximity to beach and hiking. 120 - was able to get two RTT on one site. Bad: close proximity to other sites."

    "There are also about 20 cabins on the Trail side. The only sewer hookups are for the three Camp Host sites located throughout the Park. There are nice clean showers located around the campground."

    5. Bennetts Creek Canoe In Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    2 Reviews
    Gatesville, NC
    10 miles
    +1 (252) 357-1191

    $17 / night

    "The only complaint is the houses near the sites had a dog that barked all night. Super annoying."

    "Absolutely beautiful in the lake which is not well marked due to limited visibility in the swampy environment. Lots of underwater obstructions so use caution. U DO NOT want to end up in that water."

    6. Northwest River Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Moyock, NC
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 421-7151

    $21 - $36 / night

    "Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic."

    "The only thing I have a problem with here, is that there are no garbage cans or dumpsters near the campsites."

    7. Merchants Millpond State Park Backpack Campground

    1 Review
    Gatesville, NC
    10 miles
    +1 (252) 357-1191

    $17 / night

    "Around 7pm because we had a late start. Unfortunately we didn't stay because our site was hike in and I thought I did drive in. So we ended up getting a hotel instead."

    8. Chesapeake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Williamsburg, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 485-0149

    9. DeVane and Co. LLC

    1 Review
    Suffolk, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (205) 542-6020

    $154 / night

    10. Holiday Trav-L-Park

    44 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 849-8860

    $25 - $92 / night

    "We enjoyed biking all over the place (including a family-friendly bike trail to the VB boardwalk), playing on the many small playgrounds, swimming in the dome-covered pool (there are three more of them"

    "Finding my campsite in the Sherwood Forest section was a little confusing but my site ended up being ideal--close to the main road to walk out for an Uber to the show and a little farther from the other"

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Recent Reviews near Corapeake, NC

446 Reviews of 50 Corapeake Campgrounds


  • William F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Great spot!

    Spacious sites, not too far to the beach which was never crowded. Family movie night at the pavilion, camp store has pretty much anything.

  • L
    Aug. 31, 2025

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Great place as always, small site

    Love coming here every year. This site, while convenient to the bathroom, is small, no privacy, is part of the pathway to the bathroom and has a slight sewer oder.

  • Leo S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Military Park Fort Story Cape Henry RV Park

    Disconnect and enjoy long walks

    Cellular signal and Starlink won't work well here and the campground WiFi isn't great. But in the true spirit of camping, this is a great place to disconnect and take long walks around the base and the beach. The express store nearby has limited hours but the fitness center allows for 24/7 access if you register your ID card with MWR.

  • Leo S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Virginia Beach KOA

    Off season gem

    Prices come way down during the off season. Much of the facilities are closed but they keep open one of their bathhouses. Otherwise it's a peaceful stay in the winter months.

  • a
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Virginia Beach KOA

    Va Beach KOA

    Nice, large sites, 2 pool, 1 lazy river. 1 stocked store. Planned activities.

  • C
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Virginia Beach RV Resort

    Good stay for simple camping

    We picked this site for its proximity to the beach. Site #4 was level and had full hookups. It was a bit tricky to get our setup into but was accomplished once I determined the best way to maneuver. The playground was basic, but a playground non the less. Pools were nice and never really crowded. There is no on site camp store, and we did not find ice as advertised. We also had to treat our lot/camper for ants but given the location we figured as much. We have AT&T and Verizon and both picked up well. The WiFi didn’t seem to exist unless you were close to their buildings. Everyone was friendly and was a nice quiet getaway to let the kids ride bikes and fish. All in all, we enjoyed our vacation and would book here again.

  • Jadon B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2025

    North Bayshore Campground

    Summer Fun

    We got a RV site for 2 nights, #99. We really liked the campgrounds. Everyone was very welcoming! Lots of things to do. We drove 20mins to the beach, paid $25 for 24hr oversized vehicle parking.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Great experience

    The camp ground is beautiful and the people are friendly. Our game ground was surrounded by the forest but your in walking distance to the beach. The shower and rest rooms are sit up nicely the best I’ve seen at a campground. The beach is more secluded and you’re close to all the activities that Virginia Beach has to offer. There is also trails that are on the campground near there visitors center.

  • J
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Isle of Wight Family Campground

    Fine for rv’s but not for tents

    If you love trash along the "lake" you would love the rustic spots! The “lake” more like a stagnate pod that smells like a swamp. During our familys "week visit", cut short by about 5 days because this camp is infested with bugs and wolves. Mr. Wolf came right on up to try and eat my dogs food. Really no one was out at all this camp sounded and was dead. No kids playing at the playground or riding bikes like family campground have. You rarely saw another person except for staff on gulf carts. This lake they have? Not even a lake it's a swamp. If you let go of your dogs leash by accident and they run into the forest your shoes will be gone u will have multiple cuts and will take a 30 minute shower trying to get the mud off. The water is mud brown and has trash along the edges. Not a place I will bring my family back.

    The only good thing was the pool


Guide to Corapeake

Within an hour of Corapeake, North Carolina, camping options range from water-based adventures to woodland retreats. The region sits in the coastal plain where elevations rarely exceed 20 feet above sea level, creating ideal conditions for swampland ecosystems. Summer temperatures typically reach mid-90s during July and August, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for most campers.

What to do

Paddle the swamps: At Merchants Millpond State Park, rent canoes from the visitor center to explore the cypress-filled waters. "We used our ebikes on the bike trail. The bath house was real nice. They had heaters running and they were so toasty, also very clean," reports Charli R.

Wildlife viewing: Bring binoculars for spotting native species. "Taking a canoe or kayak out to explore the pond and swamps is a must and total unique experience. Turtles, birds, cypress trees, and alligators," notes Boone from Merchants Millpond.

Fishing opportunities: Davis Lakes Resort offers multiple fishing ponds with good catches. "Fishing in the ponds was good. Store is very limited on what it has," mentions Scott S., who stayed in one of their cabins.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing at Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park. "The sites have good separation between them and don't feel crowded at all. Very well maintained. Very helpful rangers that stopped by daily to welcome us and to collect trash," states Alisa K.

Multiple swimming options: Holiday Trav-L-Park features several pools, reducing crowding. "Several pools to choose from so you don't have to be packed in at one main pool with all the campground guests," explains Da'Paul F., who added it's "best campground in the Va Beach area."

Clean facilities: Northwest River Park maintains excellent bathrooms. "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night," reports Joseph H.

What you should know

Insect preparation: Swampy areas demand serious bug protection. "If you canoe long enough, you'll come across two alligators who live in the pond," notes Kaylee G. at Merchants Millpond, highlighting the need for caution.

Waterway navigation challenges: Bennetts Creek Canoe In Campground requires paddling skills. "It was a 4.5 mile paddle to the site, then roughly 1.5 down to the dock with a staged vehicle," explains todd B., who stayed at the primitive camp sites.

Water safety: Not all waters are suitable for swimming or filtering. "This park was great but do recognize that is a true swamp. Alligators included. The water there does not move therefore is not recommended for filtering for consumption," warns Mark N. about Bennetts Creek.

Tips for camping with families

Visit during shoulder seasons: Spring and fall provide better camping conditions. "I would recommend visiting in the cooler months of spring or fall. In April, the site was probably only 25% occupied and it's still cool enough not to be bothered by mosquitoes," advises Boone from Merchants Millpond.

Consider alternative accommodations: Northwest River Park & Campground offers cabins for those not ready for tent camping. "Plenty of room..showers/bathrooms huge..water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks," mentions Gary D.

Check site conditions: Some campgrounds have terrain challenges. "Downside were the large gravel throughout the site - tough for small dogs and crawlers," notes Kaylee G. about Merchants Millpond, an important consideration for families with small children or pets.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookups: RV campers should note the availability of services. "This is our go-to campground since it's only a few miles from our house. Great park and nice campground with plenty to do. The only downside is that they don't have any hook ups and it gets pretty hot in the summer months," cautions Jim M. about Merchants Millpond.

Storm water management: Low-lying areas can flood during rain. "A storm hit right after I got here and now I'm sitting in about 8 inches of water!" reports kelly W. from Chesapeake Campground, emphasizing the importance of site selection.

Seasonal availability: The best places to camp near Corapeake, North Carolina have different operating calendars. Some, like Davis Lakes Resort, remain open year-round while others have limited seasons. Northwest River Park operates April through November, requiring advance planning for off-season camping trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Corapeake, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Corapeake, NC is Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 16 reviews.