Best Tent Camping near South Mills, NC

Spent a hot & humid week here tent camping. Tent sites are packed in close among live oaks- lending towards a mystical experience, weather depending. RV/camper sites a tight as well. Beach is within walking distance and located near the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Definitely recommend taking a short drive over to The Narrows, also part of First Landing State Park, for a change of scenery.

We tent camped here over Labor Day weekend as our first family camping trip, and we all had such a good time! Our boys (8, 6, & 4) had so much fun on the big playground and paddle boating. Ask for Bill! He’s awesome and treats everyone like they’re special :)

The tent sites are clean, closely grouped, and the lights from the bathroom shine on them all night (so bring a sleep mask). But for $10/night with full bathrooms, sink to wash dishes in, and laundry? Worth the lights! Will definitely stay here again.

North Landing has had quite the facelift since our first visit in 2015. Tons of cottages have replaced the coveted waterfront tent sites. Several configurations are offered including studio, one and two-bedroom. RV sites range include water, electric, pull-through and full amenities. There is a large outdoor entertaining pavilion as well as a smaller, indoor event space with full kitchen. There Is a very nice workout room and a bIllIards room adjacent. A decent-sized pool with outdoor shower, a newly-constructed hot tub, miniature golf, basketball, horseshoes, pickle ball, and playground round off the outdoor fun. Unfortunately, as of this writing, they have decided to eliminate tent camping, which will deter quite a few campers.

Updated after a second trip (August 2020) This campground is generally really lovely, lots of trees, good Chesapeake beach access, but not very well designed for tent camping. Some of the sites are as I observed on our first trip, but all are not created equal. A lot of them are small and close to the camp road and run right into each other (no privacy) and lack sufficient flat space to pitch two tents. So many of the camper/RV sites have lots of flat private space behind where the RV would be parked, which would be great for pitching tents. The map is not to scale; sites 130, 132, and 133 back on to site 84, for example. Site 83 backs on to site 93, which in turn is open to 94. These three would be nice for a large group camping together. The sites on the east side of the campground back right on to the boundary fence of the neighboring military base (barbed wire fence). Restroom capacity (in COVID times) is supposedly limited to the safe number of 10, but 10 would be way too many. Four stalls and three sinks do not work out to 360+ square feet of space.

Initial review (August 2019) The tent sites at this campground were gorgeous. Deep and private-feeling and well shaded. But so close to the road. I saw the map that clearly indicates Shore Drive running alongside the campground and I thought, “It can’t be that close!” But it is. Four lanes of 55mph traffic running within 25 yards of all the tent sites on the south side of the campground.

We had such a fun time, despite the noise and lack of sleep, that we will almost certainly go back, but will definitely book one of the interior loop sites or maybe even one of the 20’ camper sites instead. Additional points: multiple daily nature programs for all ages in summer, really helpful staff, but the “camp store” doesn’t sell many camp supplies or groceries except ice and firewood.

I went tent camping and fishing in the sound they have much to offer. Enjoyed a nice night with a buddy. Polite people and not loud.

Its nothing fancy. Good place for a natture hike, campfire amd one night tent camping. Plan on bringing your own water as there isn’t always running water (not sure why).

The area is beautiful & the bathroom is good. But if you're tent camping, be aware that it is extremely windy here and there is nothing to block the wind so your tent will howl and keep you awake all night.

Went to VA Beach on a whim with no lodging reserved, and saw the sign for this campground on our way out to Sandbridge Beach. We were able to get a campsite here, at a good price, very last minute on a Friday night in June. Check in was quick, friendly, and we were escorted to our site (how nice!). The tent sites are along a waterway to a boat ramp so in the morning boats will go by, otherwise very peaceful and quiet all night. There's a cool little pavilion close to the tent sites with picnic tables. All in all a very good experience!

Great campground. Very quiet and each tent site is very far from one another. You could have music or a generator going and not disturb your neighbor

The campsites were ok. easy to get to. I wouldn’t recommend tent camping in the middle of summer - my husband and i both got sick. The beach was nice and quiet, and the water wasn’t too cold. overall, decent for the price.

Always love camping here. Try to get as close to the beach as possible, even tent camping. Bath houses are nice, they now have a shuttle that will take you to the strip in Virginia Beach, very inexpensively, great interpretive programs, and of course, the beach!

For the price this is a great location - not too far from the beach and the many other attractions in the area. It’s nice for families with really little kids as it’s on the Bay-side, with calmer water, or it’s only minutes from the ocean side. They also have some really pretty campsites, even for tent camping.

Lovely small campground located inside a National Park land. Full hookup sites are named after the original 13 colonies. Nicely situated between Williamsburg, Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Tent sites, group accommodations, store, firewood, pavilion for rent and typical rv resort activities including corn hole, pickle ball......

This camp is wonderful but the tent sites are too close to the road. I wish there was a thicker tree line. It didn’t really have the serene setting I was looking for and it’s almost always booked up! I suggest it to beach lovers and beginner hikers.

Nice area on the beach. Only issue is that you can hear the traffic passing on the main road... Has ability to select your spot, which is nice because you can see how crowded and opt for a far off location. Tent sites are large & comfy.
Access to plenty of water, showers, beach and shorter hikes. Nice place to chill for a bit

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.

We have been here a couple of times.  Love the fact that they just let you choose your area.  They have two tent sites that have power the rest are premiative.  The bath house is always clean.  The staff is always nice, they do whatever it takes to keep you happy.  The little store has a good variety of things that are priced pretty good.  This is our go to for local camping.

Our campsite looked super small at first, but then we moved the picnic table a bit to the side, and it was big enough for my 10 person tent. (Site 54)

Other than that, the water supply was right there on our site, and we had a lot of people come over to use it, but it was super convenient or us anyway. We left our tent alone ALL the time and nothing at all went wrong! I would definitely go here again, and plan on it next year for sure!

This is our home base camping resort. It’s a deeded membership that allows for 14 day stays with a single deed. We’ve stayed a few times prior to owning with friends who sponsored us. There are both paved and unpaved sites with full hookups, and tent sites that feature water and electricity. Bath houses throughout property, and a laundry, community center, two pools, a large pavilion and ball court. We love having play areas for the kids and a dog park for our fluffy kid.

This is an excellent campground with large tent sites that you feel almost as if your the only one camping even when the campground is full. There are multiple points of entry to a beautiful well cared for beach. The park offers a trolley ride for 4.50 a day to the main beach front in Virginia Beach. Camp store is well stocked and is run by an outstanding staff. FT Story is very close so you will hear the Star Spangled Banner at 8am every morning and occasionally you will here helicopters doing night exercises.

Our site (99) ended up being accidentally pull through (I don’t think it was intended to be) but wasn’t level. It seems like it was meant to be a tent site as it had a level tent pad in the back. We were able to get everything on it and were right across from the bath house and a short walk from the beach.

Only major downside was that there were some loud drunks across from us, right next to the host, and they were obnoxious and foul mouthed late into the night. However it was Memorial Day weekend so I half expected it 😔

Stayed here for a few nights. The sites vary widely in size and access so make sure you know where you are staying. We had great dune side site right next to a boardwalk to get out to the beach. Be careful of the tent sites, while many were under the cool and unique trees, others were partially flooded due to rain and time of year. The trail system across the road that is also part of the park is extensive and offers lots to do. Be mindful that if your site is not on the road that runs along the beach side you will likely have a good amount of road noise. You want to be picky about your site.

Sites: 22 with 1 pull thru 13 full hookups 12 Tent sites 

Electric: 30-50 amp 

This is a private campground and you do not have to be military to stay. It really is in a great location.

Beach, dump, firewood, showers, fire pit, store, ice picnic table, playground, toilets, concrete pads, horseshoes, trash. A wonderful spot for a campground on the Historic Fort Monroe. There is no gate to have to pass through to reach the campground. It is located on the far end and on a beautiful flat grassy area with beautiful mature trees. Well maintained and very quiet. While there you must check out the Fort Monroe Casement Museum. You have water on two sides with excellent walking area. 

LNT

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