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Best Campgrounds near Gatesville, NC

200 Reviews

Camping in the Gatesville, North Carolina area centers primarily around Merchants Millpond State Park, which features multiple camping options including a family campground, canoe-in sites, backpack campground, and group walk-in sites. The state park's camping facilities accommodate tent camping with some sites offering RV access with electric hookups, water hookups, and amenities like showers. Several campgrounds in the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and water access, with most requiring reservations rather than permitting dispersed camping on public lands.

Weather and seasonal considerations significantly affect the camping experience in this coastal region. The area's swampy terrain creates challenges during warmer months, particularly regarding insects. Campsites throughout Merchants Millpond State Park provide varying levels of shade, with some sites fully shaded and others in full sun. Most camping areas maintain clean facilities with bathhouses centrally located within walking distance of campsites. A camper noted that "bugs were not a problem" during March visits, but warned that "your experience may be different if you visit during the warmer months, as much of the area surrounding Lake Phelps is cypress swamp."

The unique ecosystem of cypress swamps and millpond waters defines the camping experience in the Gatesville area. Campers particularly value the water access, with several reviews highlighting paddling opportunities on the millpond and nearby waterways. The family campground sites are described as having varying levels of privacy, with sites 2-9 noted for full shade and privacy while sites 10-13 receive full sun. Hikers appreciate the trail system that explores the swampy terrain via wooden bridges and boardwalks. One reviewer mentioned that "the natural beauty is worth the visit" with easy access to the lake for impressive sunsets and a 3-mile round-trip trail that follows the lake through Somerset Place State Historic Site. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, turtles, and various bird species, though campers should be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks, especially during warmer months.

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Best Camping Sites Near Gatesville, North Carolina (42)

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Recent Reviews near Gatesville, NC

200 Reviews of 42 Gatesville Campgrounds

  • KEVIN B.
    Jan. 27, 2026

    Sandy Point Resort Campground

    Don't run up on Liz

    4 OUT OF 5 STARS! Sandy Point Resort Campgrounds is a great place to bring your kids/grandkids for camping, fishing and swimming but stay to the front of the campgrounds, the back area by the shower house where the permanent residents live is sketchy balls. I am a retired military Veteran and we have been bringing our family and friends here for 15+ years. My daughters are in their mid-20s now and they still love camping here. They have so many fun memories whether it was catching frogs, catfishing at night, playing cornhole or swimming off the pier. To this day we still laugh about our fun times. 

    Unfortunately our time at Sandy Point has ended, I have been banned. Yes banned. My wife and I went fishing there one weekend afternoon and did not buy the day pass,$7.50 per person. We have been fishing like this over the years and had never been charged or told we needed a day pass. In all honesty we did not know. We always bought our bait at the onsite store and from the store you can see the fishing area we always went to so it wasn’t like we were sneaking on. On this particular day we had just started setting up to fish when Liz, an employee that works in the store and lives in the back area of the campground(sketchy balls) pulled up to where we were at. Accompanying Liz was her husband who my wife and I thought was also an employee of the campground. He is not. When Liz asked if we had a day pass I said no and did not know we needed one because we had been coming here for so long. I said no problem I’ll go get one. I never stopped smiling and never raised my voice. It was not an issue to get the pass. Liz’s husband(remember, not an employee) started in on us, he was rude, he looked like he was ready to fight and as I’m walking toward the store to get the day pass he was following and harassing me. Earlier when I was in the store buying bait Liz came in and told the employee working that they(Liz and husband) needed more beer. So Liz and husband had been drinking before coming over to ask if we had gotten the day pass. No issue with Liz talking to us, she’s an employee but husband…no, he should not have said a word. He was downright harassing us. Forward ahead about 4 or 5 weeks, my wife and I go back for another weekend afternoon to fish. I went in the store to buy bait and the day pass, Liz is working. She asked if I was Kevin and then told me I have been banned from the park. When I asked why she said that I had come back to fish and did not buy the pass. I told her I had not been back since the last time when she told us about the pass. She then said well you were confrontational that day. I told her I never stopped smiling or was not even close to confrontational. She then said well your wife ran up on me. Now folks, this is one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard about my wife. She does not run….anywhere….hahaha. I told Liz my wife does not run and Liz said well she jogged up on me. Again folks…this did not happen. The reason for being banned changed four times while I stood there. Liz has been working at Sandy Point for a few years and I always…repeat always tried to make her laugh or smile when I saw her. I have never done anything to make her or any employee feel threatened or uncomfortable. I am always smiling and always in a great mood. Liz on the other hand will remind you of a disgruntle Eeyore, never happy or smiling. Always seeming as if she hates being there and has no joy in life. I never understood this because she gets to live on the campground. But because of not buying a day pass to fish(didn’t know), being accused of doing it again after being told(didn’t do it), being confrontational(nope), my wife running/ jogging toward Liz(hahahaha), I have been banned. So unfortunate. 

    I have reached out to Janice, the owner, by phone and email. No return calls back and no response to my email. All my wife and I are asking for is a sit down with Janice and Liz so we can tell our side of what happened. I assure you Janice what you are being told by Liz is not what the truth really is. I am a 24 year Veteran, family man and good person. I guarantee my character references will blow the doors off of Liz’s. 

    So I would give the campground 5 stars but because the shower house needs a little cleaning up and sometimes it gets rowdy after quiet hours on the weekend from other guest I can only give it 4 stars. Still a fun place to camp and enjoy time with family and friends as long as you don’t run up on Liz.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2025

    Green Acres Campground

    Peaceful campground with lots of new upgrades being done with the new owner

    Large campground with lots of amenities and activities. 2 pools, laundromat, and 2 bathhouses make it super convenient and the staff is super helpful and nice! They have 3 very nice cabins on site as well

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2025

    North Landing Beach Campground

    Relaxing time with friends

    We stayed in RV close to friends, both in RV sites and in cabin. Park is well maintained and friendly staff. Lots of included activities, my family played pickle ball, mini golf, and bocce ball. We were there in October and the park had a haunted house with included hay ride. My teenage sons had a great time. They even got into the water both days we were there because weather was still warm.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2025

    Little Creek MWR RV Park

    Basic MWR campground

    I would agree with the previous two reviews, this campground is a little rough around the edges. If given a choice, I would choose nearby Fort Story for several reasons: beach access here is further away, base access is difficult and confusing as many of the gates are closed, and you are further from offbase amenities if you need them. However, there are two advantages of this campground: the MWR recreational equipment rental building is new with a variety of options, there are some on base amenities such as fast food and convenience store nearby, and there is a recreational marina where visitors and campers can fish or even moor their seaworthy boats

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2025

    Northwest River Park & Campground

    Under construction ~

    This is a beautiful campground! There are only seven campers here in this campground, and I can't believe it. The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers. There are picnic tables and fire pits at each site, however my picnic table has a very very warped bench. But it makes no difference to me as it is only me, and I have my own chairs! The bathrooms are clean and well lit. The only thing I have a problem with here, is that there are no garbage cans or dumpsters near the campsites. The only garbage containers I found were near the dump station, which is on the way out of the park, nowhere near the campground! There is lots to do within this camp, let alone in the area around the camp. I have noticed two hiking trails, I have seen the kayaks that are for rent and the area you launch, all we need now is some nicer weather. Other info, I asked if they had weekly rates and was told yes. But of course you are limited to 14 days like so many other campgrounds. When I arrived and talked to the clerk about the weekly rates, all he did was multiply the daily rate by the number of days. There is no discounted weekly rate. They also do not take Sam's club, do not have senior discounts, etc.. I don't know if their site on the the dirt shows the price, but it was $42 for the first night and drops to $38 per night for the rest of my stay.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2025

    Treeside RV Park

    Best RV Park in Williamston NC

    Clean, safe, affordable rv park that offers long term options. The pond is beautiful and serene with the fountains. Best campground around the Williamston area

Guide to Gatesville

Camping sites near Gatesville, North Carolina cluster around a distinctive cypress-studded millpond ecosystem within the coastal plain region. The area sits at a low elevation of approximately 20 feet above sea level, creating the unique swamp conditions that define the camping experience. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting trail access and paddling conditions throughout the year.

What to do

Paddling exploration: At Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park, the visitor center provides canoe rentals and launch access. "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 a camper who recommends visiting in cooler months when mosquitoes are less active.

Wildlife viewing: The waters around Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground support diverse aquatic species. "One of my kids caught a gar, we saw a bald eagle's nest, snakes, frogs, turtles, and lily pads everywhere," reports a camper who paddled to the remote sites. Alligator sightings occur regularly, with two resident alligators noted in the millpond.

Hiking: Trail systems connect different camping areas through varied terrain. "The trail system was magical. We hiked early in the am and it was such a therapeutic hike through the forest and swamp," writes a visitor to the family campground. A 0.7-mile walk connects the main camping area to the visitor center, with additional trails accessible from the boat ramp section.

What campers like

Site separation: Many campers appreciate the privacy between sites at Bennetts Creek Canoe In Campground. "The sites are on the small side, especially the tent pad. The sites have good separation between them and don't feel crowded at all," notes a camper. Another camper at the main family campground mentioned that "each tent site is very far from one another. You could have music or a generator going and not disturb your neighbor."

Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistently positive reviews. "The bath house was real nice. They had heaters running and they were so toasty, also very clean," reports a winter visitor. The campground maintenance extends to regular ranger visits, with one camper noting "very helpful rangers that stopped by daily to welcome us and to collect trash."

Quiet atmosphere: The remote location creates a peaceful environment. "In the middle of nowhere, but it was peaceful and everyone was friendly," writes one camper. During off-peak times, occupancy can be as low as 25%, allowing for greater solitude.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Summer heat brings significant insect activity. "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 a camper.

Navigation challenges: Davis Lakes Resort offers an alternative camping experience nearby with less swampy conditions. For those paddling at Merchants Millpond, navigation requires attention. "The kayak/canoe round was not easy to navigate so bring your 3rd party map/GPS. The maps they provide are almost useless because it's a swamp the terrain changes with the water level. Islands can appear out of nowhere."

Water conditions: The millpond's still water creates specific concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Gatesville, NC?

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

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