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Best Campgrounds near South Mills, NC

437 Reviews

Campgrounds near South Mills, North Carolina provide multiple options for outdoor recreation along the Atlantic coastal region. Northwest River Park and Campground, approximately 20 miles northeast in Chesapeake, Virginia, features tent, RV, and cabin sites with full hookups. Other nearby established camping areas include Family Campground at Merchants Millpond State Park, about 15 miles southwest of South Mills, and Elizabeth City Lodging, roughly 25 miles southeast. The region includes both state park facilities and privately operated campgrounds with varying levels of amenities and accommodation types.

Most campgrounds in the area remain open seasonally from spring through fall, with several offering year-round availability. Northwest River Park operates from April through November, while Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA maintains a similar seasonal schedule. Reservations are recommended, particularly during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Full-hookup RV sites are common throughout the region, though tent campers have fewer dedicated areas. Facilities typically include shower houses, picnic tables, and fire rings at developed sites. A visitor commented, "Bath houses were clean and the trails were awesome!"

Campers frequently mention the region's water recreation opportunities as highlights of their stay. Several campgrounds offer boat ramps, fishing access, and water sports equipment rentals. Northwest River Park provides canoe rentals and multiple hiking trails, while Merchants Millpond State Park features a unique cypress swamp ecosystem. Family-friendly activities are prevalent at many locations, with Northwest River Park offering mini-golf, playgrounds, and open recreation areas. Some campgrounds maintain quiet, natural settings while others provide more developed facilities. A recent review noted, "There is a little tiny beach nearby and it provides a beautiful view during sunrise/sunset. There is not much else to do in the area but it is about an hour drive to the Outer Banks."

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Best Camping Sites Near South Mills, North Carolina (49)

    1. Northwest River Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Moyock, NC
    14 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."

    2. First Landing State Park Campground

    119 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    36 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."

    3. North Landing Beach

    15 Reviews
    Knotts Island, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 426-6241

    "This location was PERFECT! It warmed up enough to enjoy the beach which was a 5 minute walk from cabin."

    "There Is a very nice workout room and a bIllIards room adjacent."

    4. Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    16 Reviews
    Gatesville, NC
    20 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."

    "Nice 0.7 walk from the campsite to the visitor center to rent canoes! Just a short drive to some other trails. Enjoyed the Cyprus Point trail which you access at the boat ramp section of the park."

    5. Holiday Trav-L-Park

    46 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    31 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"

    6. Sandy Point Resort Campground

    9 Reviews
    Knotts Island, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 429-3094

    $20 - $60 / night

    "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."

    "This location is great for that."

    7. Virginia Beach KOA

    37 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 428-1444

    "Zip lining is close by. Easy access to the troll to the beach is right on site. For as crowded as it was it really was not that loud. Great location to visit and enjoy the beach."

    "Definitely plenty to do and a short Uber distance to the World Famous Virginia Beach."

    8. Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA

    12 Reviews
    Corolla, NC
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 453-2732

    "It’s not close to anything or any lighthouses. They do have a boat ramp so if you plan to camp and fish this would be a great spot."

    "The view was beautiful and the weather was great at night to just sit outside and enjoy the view. It was a very quiet camp with a great dog park. I look forward to visiting again soon."

    9. Elizabeth City Lodging

    2 Reviews
    Elizabeth City, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 335-6482

    "There is a little tiny beach nearby & it provides a beautiful view in during sunrise/sunset. There is not much else to do in the area but it is about an hour drive to the OBX so not too bad."

    10. Chesapeake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Williamsburg, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 485-0149
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Recent Reviews near South Mills, NC

437 Reviews of 49 South Mills 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.

  • Pearl The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 15, 2026

    Holiday Trav-L-Park

    When it’s the off-season, it’s the OFF-SEASON!

    We are currently camping in the 100-200 area. It's January and there are very few rv's here. But, the water pressure is still weak. If you camp here, make sure your onboard tank is full and your water pump works because you're going to need it. Only certain comfort stations are open. The sites are dumpy and not well maintained. The campers here are run down and it looks like a trailer park. The pool is covered and heated though. So, that's a positive. The pool is green and there are no bathrooms/showers on the pool deck. The bathrooms/showers are outside the pool area across rough pavement which gets burning hot in the summer time.

  • Daniel W.
    Jan. 15, 2026

    Holiday Trav-L-Park

    When it’s off-season, It’s OFF-SEASON!

    We are currently camping in the 100-200 area. It’s January and there are very few rv’s here. But, the water pressure is still weak. If you camp here, make sure your onboard tank is full and your water pump works because you’re going to need it. Only certain comfort stations are open. The sites are dumpy and not well maintained. The campers here are run down and it looks like a trailer park. The pool is covered and heated though. So, that’s a positive. The pool is green and there are no bathrooms/showers on the pool deck. The bathrooms/showers are outside the pool area across rough pavement which gets burning hot in the summer time.

  • Leo S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 26, 2025

    Sea Mist RV Campground

    Very nice base RV campground

    I've stayed at two sites and they were spacious and flat. Connections were well maintained. Bath house was very nice for a campground. I'd stay here again!

  • 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.

  • Dusty S.
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Gosnold's Hope Park

    Nice clean

    Nice spots, a little close, no campfire rings, friendly staff, close to amenities, nice bathrooms.

  • 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.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Kitty Hawk RV Park

    Kitty Box

    Our 1st interaction was with the rude man that seems to be managing the check-in and management of the pulling in. We were stuck in one of the worst back-in spot locations on the campground. It was surrounded by full-time residents across the street from us. The residents have porches, stairs and several cars all around their ground bound trailers in regular size RV site. The management guy made his attempt to help my husband back in our trailer by berating him, questioning his experience backing our 19 ft trailer. He even had the nerve to ask me to pay him CASH while, my husband continued park the trailer. I said, "NO."  He was extremely unhinged and verbally abusive and now you don't want to ask my husband for cash?????? We asked him for a receipt and he gave us some shady excuse that the woman in the office was very busy and would get back to us in 24 hours with a receipt. BTW, this women in the office doesn't answer her calls for 24hrs.

    Our experience staying here felt like we were staying in a homeless camp with societies most delusional elitist drop outs.  

    The site pads at dirt/sand and partial grass. The bench tables are in the way of backing in because, the sites are too small and Avery shallow. Beware: the bench tables are old and heavy to move and the management guy offered no assistance to move the bench table. There was so much dirt & sandy in our trailer I was so happy to get leave just so I could mop and clean all Kitty Sand out of my trailer.

    I do not recommend this camp site. We noticed on the night before we left there are other camp grounds near by that look better maintained.

Guide to South Mills

Camping near South Mills, North Carolina offers opportunities along the Atlantic coastal region where maritime forests meet freshwater wetlands. The area sits at low elevation with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and high humidity from June through September. Winter camping remains viable with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, though many campgrounds reduce services during off-season months.

What to do

Water recreation access: At North Landing Beach, campers can enjoy direct water access with rental options. "We stayed at North Landing Beach for a week during the 4th of July holiday and while it was very busy, it was quiet and very family oriented. The beach was quiet and relaxing with beautiful sunsets," notes a visitor to North Landing Beach.

Hiking through unique ecosystems: Family Campground at Merchants Millpond State Park offers trails through cypress swamps and wetlands. "The trail system was magical. We hiked early in the am and it was such a therapeutic hike through the forest and swamp," reports a camper from Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park.

Paddling opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer canoe and kayak access. A visitor explains, "We have spent my childhood here and I am excited to share it with my kids. We hike here when visiting grandparents. Chesapeake Public Park's does a great job with events and education at NWRP! Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Cleanliness ranks high for campers visiting the area. A camper at Northwest River Park notes, "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night."

Waterfront views: Sites with water views draw consistent positive feedback. At Outer Banks West - Currituck Sound KOA, a camper shares, "We were right on the water and loved our view of Currituck Sound!"

Beach proximity: Elizabeth City Lodging provides beach access. "I love this little place in Elizabeth City. There is a little tiny beach nearby & it provides a beautiful view during sunrise/sunset," shares a visitor to Elizabeth City Lodging.

Recreational options: Many campgrounds feature multiple activities. One North Landing Beach camper reports, "They have all kinds of recreational things for children and adults. Bands and comedians also happy hour with free drinks. There is also dinners. Volleyball on the beach they also had a dj on the beach one time when I was there."

What you should know

Seasonal variations: Campground operations follow seasonal patterns. For Virginia Beach KOA, a camper notes, "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."

Water considerations: Some campgrounds have limited water access at individual sites. One visitor to Northwest River Park explains, "Plenty of room..showers/bathrooms huge..water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks. Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic."

Wildlife encounters: The area's wetland ecosystem means wildlife, including insects. A camper at Family Campground shares, "We tented here and really liked the campground. We stayed in the family campground since we had a vehicle. There are float-in and hike in spots we did not investigate. Our site was clean and separated well."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near South Mills, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Mills, NC is Northwest River Park & Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews.

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