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Best Tent Camping near Gatesville, NC

176 Reviews

Merchants Millpond State Park, located in Gatesville, North Carolina, features multiple tent campgrounds offering varied experiences. The park contains Bennetts Creek Canoe-In Campground, Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground, and a Backpack Campground, all providing tent-only camping options within the swampy ecosystem. Primitive tent sites are accessible by paddle or on foot, depending on the specific camping area chosen. The area is characterized by cypress trees, lily pads, and diverse wildlife including alligators, snakes, turtles, and various bird species.

Access to most tent camping areas requires paddling through the millpond, with canoe-in sites located approximately 4.5 miles from launch points. Sites include basic amenities such as fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. The park enforces a no-alcohol policy and requires advance reservations. Tent campers should bring all necessary water, as filtering from the swamp is not recommended. A pit toilet serves the canoe-in camping areas, but campers must pack out all trash. Navigating to campsites can be challenging as water levels affect the terrain, and underwater obstacles pose hazards to watercraft.

The tent camping experience at Merchants Millpond provides immersion in a unique swamp ecosystem. "The cypress trees, swamp flora and fauna are amazing. One of my kids caught a gar, we saw a bald eagle's nest, snakes, frogs, turtles, and lily pads everywhere," noted one visitor. Sites are generally spaced to provide privacy, though some reports indicate campgrounds can become crowded on weekends. Weather and seasonal conditions significantly impact the camping experience, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable temperatures and fewer insects. Summer months bring increased bug activity, which can be intense in the swampy environment. For tent campers seeking a different experience in the broader region, Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton, Virginia offers walk-in tent sites with sand platforms approximately a quarter mile from parking areas.

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Best Tent Sites Near Gatesville, North Carolina (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Gatesville, NC

5 Photos of 6 Gatesville Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Gatesville, NC

176 Reviews of 6 Gatesville Campgrounds

  • liz J.
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    A great place to hike and camp if you can't get out of the area

    The park is centrally located with easy highway access.  Plentiful parking, lots of trails to choose from.  The staff was top notch and super kind and helpful.  They were very insistent about the "no alcohol" rule.    

    Sites are first come, first served.  Must reserve in person.  Visitor's center is open 9-6.  

    The sites were located about 1/4 mile from the parking lot down a trail.  They were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate.  Trash cans were very close by, which was super nice.  The bathrooms were flush toilets and running water faucets and located behind the parking lot, so a bit of a hike in the dark if you need to go.  Other than that, expect no amenities.  Bugs weren't terrible but were present.  Definitely bring bug spray.  

    The biggest negative was that no matter where you were in the park, there was significant noise from the highway.  Horns honking, sirens blaring, the general rush of cars going by.  There is no sound barrier between 64 and the park so every noise just filters right through the trees.  Not anyone's fault, but definitely a downside.  

    Overall when you consider the dirt cheap price of 10.60 per night, this campground delivers as advertised.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2022

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    Nature in the County

    Sites: 11 primitive tent sites 2 of which are group sites 

    4 tent cabins that sit right on the edge of the lake

     The individual campsites are FCFS and you must park and hike in. It is a short hike along the lake and placed a short distance from the trail so hikers will not be hiking through the sites. You have a sand bottom tent site, picnic table, fire ring/grill and trash. This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved. This really is a great site.  There is an amazing nature center that overlooks Sandy Bottom Lake. Hiking, and biking trails, fishing, boating with boat rentals or bring your own, birding and wildlife viewing. 757-825-4657 

    LNT

    Travel safe

  • Chip G.
    Apr. 12, 2017

    Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    These February days are why we live in the south...

    The 12 trips in 12 months’ progress well. February’s outing was Merchants Mill Pond. What a great place. It probably helps that the bath house had just been redone with fresh paint. But that wasn’t the only thing. The park staff was friendly and the camp sites are nice and spaced well apart. Each site had a fire pit, tent site and picnic table. I am not sure that all the tent spaces were leveled, but if you pay attention when you set your tent up you should be fine.

    I happened to be a glorious weekend in February and the temperatures were good enough for a hike in shorts and tee shirts. The trails were well maintained and it was a day well spent on the Lassiter Trail. The park also rents kayaks and there are marked water trails as well. Next trip will include a boat ride and a search for alligators (from a safe distance).

    Good hikes, good campground and evenings by the campfire. Definitely on the places to return to list.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2019

    Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    Campground with a Different Ecosystem--Woods and Swamp

    Merchants Millpond is a great state park if you want to explore a different kind of ecosystem.  The heart of the park lies in its swamps filled with cypress trees and cypress stumps.  There are several camping areas of different kinds.  You can canoe in to one of their primitive campsites, which is on an island in the swamp.  There are other hike-in primitive sites, group camping sites, and there are also the family camping sites.   I stayed at the family camping site and decided to set up my hammock instead of a tent.  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.  If you stay in a hammock, make sure it has mosquito netting.  The family camping sites have tent pads, lantern poles, and fire rings.  The bath house is centrally located within a short walking distance of all of the campsites.  The showers have hot water, but the bath house itself looks outdated.  The canoe-in site that I explored only has a pit toilet, but it did have fire rings and picnic tables.  You can hike to the island by way of a wooden bridge across the swamp, but it is mainly for those who want to canoe in.  If you can go off trail, you can see lots of wildlife.  I had the opportunity to do so since I was invited to participate in a search and rescue exercise.  I only saw one snake, which is unusual not to see more, but I also saw a deer and couple of turtles.  There is a bicycle trail, but the one I hiked on the most was the Lassiter Trail, which has a few wooden bridges and opportunities to experience the eastern woodlands and great views of the swampy millpond.  Fortunately, I did not run into any bears or alligators, which are common in this area.  The visitors center is large and modern, and there is a meeting facility.  The person that I talked to at the visitors center was pleasant and was able to answer my questions.  The staff is great to work with, and I know this because I volunteered to teach camping skills to 4H kids a couple of years ago at this state park.  Overall, it’s a great state park, but it lacks the amenities of modern RV parks.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2017

    Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    Cool & Unique Paddling

    What a rare and beautiful eco-system the cypress swamp is! The state park offers several camping options: drive in, hike in and canoe in.

    Each drive in site has a picnic table, fire ring/grill and tent pad. There are showers, spigots and restrooms for campers staying here. There are three canoe-in sites, two of them have pit toilets and the third requires you to pack out all waste. If you want to enjoy the amenities of the drive-in sites but want to spend time canoeing the pond (which I highly recommend) then that's certainly an option, too.

    There aren't many eco-systems like this left so it's absolutely worth checking out.

  • Alex M.
    Aug. 11, 2022

    Bells Island Campground

    Coastal tranquility

    I arrived here around 8:30 pm after being turned away from nearby Northwest River Park & Campground. Apparently they don't want your money after a certain hour. The host at Bells Island Campground was happy to take my money and show me to a lovely campsite right on the water. I set up my tent in the dark, but discovered in the morning that I was on a big lawn with shade trees and a lovely view of Currituck Sound. My campsite had a solidly-built picnic table, a water spigot, and even a trash can.

    The bathroom here was a little funky in its design and layout, but it was clean and served well enough. Overall, I couldn't find anything wrong with this campground, especially at the low price point. Management here is doing a great job.

  • Stirling C.
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Pettigrew State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground with some short distance trails along Phelps Lake

    We camped in the State campground at Pettigrew State Park. It is a small campground with just a few camp sites. We usually overnight there on the way to the NPS campgrounds on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, though it is nice enough to justify a stay if you find yourself in the area. We visited in March, so insects were not a problem, though your experience may be different if you visit during the warmer months, as much of the area surrounding Lake Phelps is cypress swamp.

    I little about the campground amenities: it is modest and good for tent camping. Though there is room for RVs, there aren't electrical and water hookups, though most who were there were in RVs. Each site has a fire ring with a grill and firewood is available for a nominal fee. There is a bathhouse with toilet and shower facilities.

    The natural beauty is worth the visit. From the campground it is an easy walk to the lake. We were able to see an impressive sunset from the lake shore. There is an out and back 1.5 mile trail, for a total of 3 miles, that follows the lake, taking you through the Somerset Place State Historic Site. The walk passes through the swamp with many large cypress and sycamore trees. At the end of the trail is a walkway to the lake along an irrigation canal.

  • Caroline M.
    Jul. 5, 2018

    North Bayshore Campground

    Excellent family run campground close to Sandbridge beach

    Wonderful spot away from crowds but close to beach. Tent, RV or “ tiny cabin” options. Clean, quiet and pretty. Canal runs around campground that gives you access to Back Bay. Pool and playground. Small store. Super friendly staff. Love it there. 5 minute drive to Sandbridge. 15 to Va Beach strip. Level ground but water collects with heavy rains- to be expected at he beach.

    I think pets are OK. Good showers.

  • T
    Jul. 19, 2019

    North Bayshore Campground

    Great place for enjoying the water!

    This is a small family oriented campground close to Sandbridge beach. They are located on a small waterway that leads to Back Bay. Good fishing and wonderful area to kayak or paddle board. You can even bring a boat. The bathhouse is clean, climate controlled , and never too busy. There’s a game room for relaxing or playing air hockey, pool, and fussball. The owners have corn hole available as well. There’s a small swimming pool in case you want to take a dip although due to excessive rain the week before our trip it was closed for cleanup. There’s a basketball court and small playground. This is a low lying area and standing water at some sites after heavy rains can be an issue. There are a few cabins to rent, pop ups and a bunkhouse camper as well as full and water/elec. hookup RV sites, waterfront sites and tent sites. We’ve stayed here several times and the owners and employees are always very welcoming and accommodating. Pets are allowed on leash and our dogs love it!

Guide to Gatesville

Tent camping near Gatesville, North Carolina offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying various outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed options nearby, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and explore.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Sandy Bottom Nature Park, you can enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Tent campers should check out local attractions

  • The beautiful trails and wildlife at Sandy Bottom Nature Park provide an excellent opportunity for birdwatching and nature photography.

Amenities that enhance your camping experience

  • Sandy Bottom Nature Park features picnic tables, fire rings, and flush toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay while you enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gatesville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gatesville, NC is Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Gatesville, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Gatesville, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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