Northwest River Park & Campground provides equestrian camping near South Mills, North Carolina, approximately 30 miles from the town. The 763-acre park contains multiple trails through wetlands and wooded terrain, operating seasonally from April through November. Water access is limited at some campsites, with gravel pads that may require leveling blocks for optimal setup.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Visitors can rent canoes and paddle boats to explore the blackwater ecosystem. "Canoes and paddle boats are available to rent for use in black water," notes Heather L. at Northwest River Park & Campground.
Miniature golf: The park offers family-friendly recreational activities beyond trail riding. "Put put golf, kayak, hiking and much more," writes Patricia L. about the diverse activities available at Northwest River Park.
Nature hikes: Several trails connect to wetland areas perfect for wildlife observation. "There are a few hikes leading back to the river," mentions Heather L., highlighting the interconnected trail system within the park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The maintenance of bathhouses and common areas receives consistent praise. "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. about Northwest River Park & Campground.
Spacious campsites: The camping areas provide ample room between sites. "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," explains Gary D. regarding the campsite layout.
Helpful staff: Park rangers actively monitor the grounds and assist campers. "Great staff. Very helpful and keep the park clean. They have firewood at $6.00 a bundle. We went on a sellout weekend but was still pretty quiet," shares Jeff B.
What you should know
Water availability: Not all sites have direct water hookups. "Plan on bringing your own water as there isn't always running water (not sure why)," advises Sally T. from her stay at Northwest River Park & Campground.
Reservation system challenges: Some campers report difficulties modifying bookings through online platforms. "My only issue was the parks reservation system. I reserved the campsite using the online, Reserve America system. About a week before our trip I had to change plans and only stay 2 days instead of 3. Tried to change the reservation but the park said I had to do it with Reserve America," explains Nicole L. about her experience.
Trash disposal location: Garbage facilities may not be conveniently located near all campsites. "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," notes Sheri K.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Multiple recreational options keep younger visitors engaged. "There were a lot of child friendly activities to do here. It's about 40 mins from the beach. We tent camped and had a blast. The showers were nice and the bathrooms were very clean," shares Audriana V. about Chesapeake Campground.
Educational opportunities: The park offers structured learning experiences for visitors. "Chesapeake Public Park's does a great job with events and education at NWRP! Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus," mentions Elizabeth V. who has visited Northwest River Park throughout her life.
Weather considerations: Low-lying areas may experience flooding during heavy rainfall. "Because this area is near wetlands some of the campsites were flooded throughout the weekend. If rain a lot of rain is forecasted you may want to talk to one of the rangers about your particular site," advises Nicole L.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Most sites require minor adjustments for optimal positioning. "The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers," notes Sheri K. at Northwest River Park & Campground.
Weekly rate structure: Extended stays do not automatically receive discounted pricing. "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," explains Sheri K.
Satellite access: Some nearby facilities offer good connectivity for technology-dependent travelers. "Several sites have good access to satellite system," mentions Cliff M. about his experience at Chesapeake Campground, noting its advantages for longer-term visitors in the Norfolk-Virginia Beach region.
