4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Tent campsites in the South Mills area include several established options within Merchants Millpond State Park and the broader coastal region. Merchants Millpond State Park offers multiple tent camping areas including a Backpack Campground, Canoe-In Campground, and Group Walk-In Sites. False Cape State Park, located north in Virginia Beach, provides primitive tent-only sites accessible by hiking or biking approximately 5-7 miles from the nearest parking area.
Most tent sites at Merchants Millpond require some effort to reach, with the Canoe-In Campground needing paddling access across the millpond. The Backpack Campground requires a short hike to reach sites. Fires are allowed at most Merchants Millpond campgrounds, with sites featuring fire rings, though primitive facilities predominate. According to one visitor, "The campsite was clean and enjoyable," though they noted navigation can be challenging in the swampy terrain where "islands can appear out of nowhere." Tent campers should be prepared for encounters with wildlife, as several reviews mention alligators, snakes, and various waterfowl in the area.
Sites at False Cape State Park offer a unique beach camping experience with both oceanside and bay side options. Tent campers must hike or bike 5-7 miles through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge to reach the campgrounds, creating a secluded experience. A camper wrote, "This park is a serene oasis away from traffic, no RV's, not a lot of people. A great place to get away from it all!" Tent sites at False Cape include picnic tables and are relatively secluded. For beach sites, campers can choose between designated areas behind the dunes or directly on the beach in marked locations. Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton, Virginia offers additional tent sites with sand platforms, picnic tables, and fire rings with grates, though highway noise is notable at this location.
"We hiked in on the East Dike trail through Back Bay, about 5.4 miles, with everything for the weekend on our backs."
"False Cape is a primitive campground that can only be accessed by walking or biking through the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge along the southern coast of Virginia."
Available next weekend
from $21 / night
"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"
"We were looking for a reasonably quick (one overnight) camping trip that was different, but within a 2ish hour drive."
from $17 - $57 / night
"The campsights are pretty close together so don't expect privacy on a busy weekend. The scenery is TOP KNOTCH!"
"My group and I stayed at the Benett’s creek high ground primitive camp sites 1-3. It was a 4.5 mile paddle to the site, then roughly 1.5 down to the dock with a staged vehicle."
from $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."
from $17 / night
from $72 / night
TravelerI am spending 10 days here they have wonderful amenities it is very clean very beautiful very quiet has a boat ramp right on the river I would recommend it to anybody
TravelerThis is a long one! Here we go. My partner and I travel for work, we went out of our way to move to this location based on reviews saying this is a great place. We have paid in full for the whole stay which is about little over 2 months. We have been here approx 2 weeks give or take. We work night shift. No activity during the day. Simple easy. Not our first campground by any means. At first, we were excited to experience the amenities and such. Now we’re uncomfortable to try anything out. Why you ask? Situation: first day we move in, we end up next to what seems like the literal only other long term or possibly even permanent resident on the grounds. My service animal alerted me to a trigger, which she left the front door of the camper before we walked out. Recalled her to me once we saw that the perm resident (our neighbor) had what presented as an aggressive dog. (Husky maybe?). Within not EVEN 5 minutes of this event, someone was at our door- instead of asking what is going on we were immediately accused of her running around off leash I guess? We had just woken up from sleeping and it was evening time, time to go to work. Instead of arguing or even offering up ANY facts related to the situation I simply said got it thanks and the interaction ended. I’m thinking to myself well damn. Okay. A week or so maybe goes by? Leash in hand VISIBLE -at the door my dog steps out, I step out behind her- same time same situation. She walks ahead of me to where she will relieve herself, I ask for her to come back next to me, she recalls- neighbors dog loses its mind again. I look up at neighbor and say “just go ahead and call man, I get it”. She calls. This time THREE employees are driving on carts to our site, at this point we’re already leaving for work. I knew it was coming, figured they would for sure ask what’s going on this time. They don’t. The older woman accompanied by two men behind her- simply says “you have been told before you need to leash your dog”. We reply yes we understand. Nobody asks for a description of the events, what’s going on, or if this even happened. The female voice is raised and hostile presenting towards both of us. The man behind her approaches our car and peers into the vehicle I’m not sure if to intimidate or what, but that action was also very ineffective in diffusing the situation and instead very intimidating. And now making us both VERY late to work as this is an extra 15 minute drive to the hospital in which we work at. Seemingly, the word of this permanent resident is all they needed to full on accuse the two of us… of what? I am not sure. My animal has resided all over the country in countless locations, all while working and we have had no issues to date. At this point I am still remaining silent as the female worker continues to educate us on our alleged actions. My concern is that there has been ZERO questioning, only full on accusations. We’re highly uncomfortable at this point. They say “we will be speaking with the general manager tomorrow”, Which also felt threatening. I’d like to add that given the whole situation this wouldn’t matter but since this is happening: earlier that morning after work I had stopped by the front desk, to ask about a package I thought that I sent to the wrong place, but didn’t. The same female was there. I remember thinking wow she’s actually so rude. But I brushed it off. Now looking back she must have some kind of prejudice toward myself and my dog. I’ve never been threatened / accused so one-sidedly in my entire career such as what has been happening at this campground. Our resolution was to request moving sites, however nothing was asked of us WHATSOEVER. As stated we were not given any opportunity to speak on the situation. Will attempt to update review whenever we speak with management of this location. Warning is to be wary of implicit bias in staff, potential favoritism, and inconsistent / unfair conflict resolution, aggressive long term campers, and lack of communication from staff.
ScoutWe stumbled across Davis Lakes Campground last year when we brought our camper down to visit our son and grandchildren. Originally, we planned to stay closer to Virginia Beach, but after finding Davis Lakes, we decided to give it a try. We were lucky enough to get site F28 right on the lake, and we enjoyed it so much that we came back this year—and even booked the exact same site.
After reading some of the other reviews, I wanted to share our experience because it was very different. Yes, there are some rules regarding dogs at the beach, but they never interfered with our stay. We enjoyed walking our dogs every morning around the campground and lakes, and it was a wonderful way to start each day.
The beach itself was clean, had plenty of nice chairs, and the AquaGlide was an absolute blast. We spent 5–6 hours a day swimming, and surprisingly, the beach never felt crowded.
One thing that really stood out was how fair the prices were. The campground store was stocked with essentials, and unlike many campgrounds, the prices were very reasonable. If you forgot a loaf of bread or wanted to grab a pool float, you didn’t feel like you were being gouged. They also have a cute snack shop, a spacious game room, and an impressive movie selection, making it a great place to spend a rainy afternoon.
The campground itself was clean and very well maintained. Although many of the sites are seasonal, they were neat, well cared for, and nothing like some seasonal campgrounds where sites become cluttered or run down. It was obvious that both the staff and the campers take pride in the campground.
The nightly rates were very reasonable, and while there is a visitor fee, we found it to be completely fair considering the amenities. We had an amazing time with our son and his family, and the campground played a big part in making those memories.
Davis Lakes isn’t a luxury resort, and that’s part of its charm. Its focus is on beautiful lakes, swimming, friendly service, and providing a relaxing camping experience. It reminded me of the kind of campgrounds I grew up enjoying—simple, welcoming, and centered around making great memories.
We’ll absolutely be back. If we lived closer, I’d seriously consider getting a seasonal site myself. In fact, my son is even talking about buying a camper just so he can keep it nearby and enjoy Davis Lakes more often. Many of the employees and seasonal campers are locals who return year after year, and I think that says everything you need to know about this place.
TravelerIt was very nice visit.
TravelerPark stuff are very friendly, sweet, I live the quietness of night time.
ScoutThis campground was a great location for a Virginia Beach vacation. It’s in the Chesapeake Bay so the water is calm and there is a large sandbar making for shallower waters which is great if you have littles in your trip. It was calming to stay there and spend everyday at the beach. There is hiking and biking paths as part of the park as well. I love that the shower rooms are not gendered so you don’t have a long wait to use one. I went for July 4th and was able to watch the fireworks right from the beach. So that was awesome. Overall good stay.
TravelerIt did say that the laundry area was renovated and I was highly disappointed to see that it does not show any signs of remodeling. The shower house is tolerable but also I will NOT be using the area. They are not strict enough about kids and the crap they leave everywhere. There is a house near the property where they keep dogs out in a kennel all day in the summer heat who bark (understandably) all day. That’s not their fault. They’re strict about where you stay long term and won’t let you near the pond which is also underwhelming. The front desk girl is very sweet and welcoming. Would have liked to have the same opportunity to be by the water as everyone else. We travel for work- all stays are long term.
TravelerI felt serenity and hospitality at this site.
GuideThe fighter jets are so close to the campground. Extremely loud. You can not have a conversation on the phone when they fly over. Hurts my ears. Especially in the middle of the night. Twice. Thundering roars then the high whistle woke me disoriented with sudden fear it was a missile coming in. On the other hand, the pool area and lazy river were very nice. Bathouse was kept clean. Constant property care and maintenance were daily kept nice. Trolly for an added fee to the beach from campground. Nice kid and family activities to do at the campground.
Tent camping around South Mills offers several primitive backcountry experiences requiring various methods of access. The eastern North Carolina coastal region features low-lying swamplands with distinctive cypress trees and diverse wildlife. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting navigation and campsite conditions throughout Merchants Millpond and surrounding areas.
Kayaking and canoeing: At Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground, paddlers navigate a buoy system through cypress trees and aquatic vegetation. "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," notes one visitor who enjoyed the guided navigation system.
Wildlife watching: The swamp environment hosts abundant wildlife viewing opportunities year-round. Avoid summer months when bugs are worst. "Tons of wildlife to see. Turtles, gators, snakes. Not a place I'd go in the summer because I'd imagine you'd get carried away by bugs but definitely a place to check out in spring or fall," shares a Merchants Millpond camper.
Hiking to historic sites: At False Cape State Park, trails lead to interesting historical landmarks. "We saw an old graveyard and church steeple at Wash Woods, that's definitely worth the hike. We walked to the North Carolina border. There's a Loveworks and a buoy that marks the southernmost Virginia State Park," reports a visitor who hiked over 30 miles during their weekend stay.
Solitude and quiet: The effort required to reach many sites means fewer crowds. "This park is 5+ miles from the Little Island Park Parking lot, where you have to park if you're staying overnight. So, you have to hike, bike or boat into the primitive campground... But because of this, the Park is a serene oasis away from traffic, no RV's, not a lot of people."
Beach proximity: For those willing to make the journey to Sandy Bottom Nature Park, beach access becomes a unique camping feature. "There are miles of trails around the lake and through the woods you can follow. It is extremely dog friendly with a fenced in dog park as well. There are kayaks and paddle boats you can rent by the hour."
Diverse camping setups: Options range from forested sites to beach camping. "For the ocean sites, you have the option of setting up your tent at the marked site behind the dunes, or at a marked location directly on the sand, although depending on the tides the rangers may prohibit camping on the beach."
Navigation challenges: The swampy terrain requires extra time and preparation. At Bennetts Creek Canoe In Campground, "The scenery is TOP KNOTCH! 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."
Water quality concerns: Natural water sources require special attention. "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 a Bennetts Creek camper.
Access restrictions: Some areas have specific entry requirements or limitations. For False Cape, "We biked in from Little Island Park. From the parking lot to our campsite, it was about 7.5 miles. Some campsites are closer by a couple of miles. We're both in good shape, and on bike we made the trek in less than an hour."
Choose sites strategically: For the best tent camping near South Mills, North Carolina with children, site selection matters. "Our sites were not directly on the water. At first we were a little bummed the water front weren't available but it worked out for the best. Our sites were more private, a shorter walk to the pit toilet, and the trees provided a slight buffer from the tremendous sounds of the frogs at night!"
Consider transportation options: For families visiting False Cape, bicycles work well. "My husband and I each hooked a trailer to our bikes, and I towed the kids and he towed our gear. The kids loved riding through Back Bay, and all of us enjoyed having the beach essentially to ourselves."
Plan for wildlife encounters: Prepare children for seeing various animals. "We did help a guy repair a busted inner-tube that day. As far as the camping goes, the sites are on the beach, so plan for sand and wind. Beautiful views though!"
Limited RV accessibility: The best tent camping near South Mills offers few RV options. At Merchants Millpond State Park Backpack Campground, one visitor noted: "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." Most sites require hiking, paddling, or biking to reach.
Alternative nearby options: RVers should look beyond immediate South Mills area. "This campsite and park is a ton of fun. We've never camped here but we lived about 5 minutes down the road from the park and absolutely loved it," explains a Sandy Bottom Nature Park visitor, highlighting the park's amenities even if camping wasn't utilized.
Consider site limitations: RV camping is restricted in many areas. "There are no campfires allowed at False Cape, but the proximity to the beach and the solitude can't be beat," notes a visitor who chose tent camping over RV accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near South Mills, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near South Mills, NC is False Cape State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near South Mills, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near South Mills, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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