Merchants Millpond State Park offers several tent camping options near White Oak, North Carolina, including canoe-in sites at Bennetts Creek and Merchants Millpond campgrounds, as well as backpack campsites accessible by foot. These primitive tent sites provide direct access to the park's unique swamp ecosystem with cypress trees and diverse wildlife. The park also features group walk-in sites for larger gatherings of tent campers.
Campers should bring all necessary water supplies as filtering is not recommended due to the swampy conditions. Sites at Merchants Millpond feature fire pits, grills, and picnic tables, though amenities remain minimal. The tent platforms are well-maintained but closely spaced at some locations. Navigation to canoe-in sites can be challenging as water levels affect visibility and create unexpected obstacles. Pit toilets serve the canoe-in camping areas, while the park maintains basic sanitation facilities. Fires are permitted in designated rings, but firewood is not provided on site.
The park's swamp ecosystem creates a distinct backcountry tent camping experience with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Paddlers can access remote tent sites through marked buoy routes, though underwater obstructions require caution when navigating to campsites. Seasonal considerations include avoiding summer months due to intense insect activity, with spring and fall offering more comfortable conditions for tent camping. Sandy Bottom Nature Park in nearby Virginia provides an alternative walk-in tent location with sand-bottom tent platforms and short hiking access from parking areas. A visitor noted, "The campsite was clean and enjoyable. I would go again, but bring your third-party map/GPS as the maps they provide are almost useless because it's a swamp and the terrain changes with water level."
"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
TravelerA beautiful campground. Nice wooded sites with decent space between sites. Bathroom and laundry were clean. Showers were just ok. Nice trails and the walk along the James
river was nice. Will definitely stay again.
TravelerGenerous sized sites but only semi-private. Excellent facilities
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.
TravelerPark stuff are very friendly, sweet, I live the quietness of night time.
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.
TravelerI loved staying at this campground. It’s definitely geared towards locals and quiet stays, no campground events and things of that nature, but it’s perfect for someone not looking for the fluff. They do have two pools, basketball courts, kayak rentals, and I believe pony rides! They have a really nice climate controlled game room too. They are extremely fairly priced. They also have THE best campground bathrooms I have ever seen. Seems like they host a lot of events, club and troop weekends, things of that sort. I really enjoyed staying there and I will be back. Nice low key local spot for someone in the full time RV life or needing an affordable quiet place to stay while in the area.
Merchants Millpond State Park offers unique tent camping near White Oak, North Carolina, where the distinct blackwater ecosystem creates a habitat for cypress trees draped with Spanish moss. The park features multiple camping options including remote canoe-in sites accessible via marked buoy routes through the millpond. Navigation through the millpond requires careful attention as underwater obstacles and changing water levels affect site accessibility throughout the year.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The distinctive swamp ecosystem at Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground provides exceptional wildlife sightings. "We saw a bald eagle's nest, snakes, frogs, turtles, and lily pads everywhere. One of my kids caught a gar," reports Becky E.
Paddling exploration: Navigate the millpond's blackwater system using canoes or kayaks, though motorized boats face significant challenges. "If you don't plan on paddling with a kayak or maybe a canoe don't risk it. I was going to take a Jon boat with a trolling motor and there are countless limbs and the overgrowth is terrible," cautions Edward H.
Hiking trail access: The various campgrounds connect to several miles of hiking trails through wetland ecosystems and surrounding forests. Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers "miles of trails around the lake and through the woods you can follow," according to Brandon W., who notes the park's extensive trail network for day hiking from campsites.
Remote wilderness experience: The paddle-in sites at Bennetts Creek Canoe In Campground provide genuine backcountry camping despite being relatively close to civilization. "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," reports Todd B.
Convenient park facilities: The modern visitor center contrasts with the primitive camping experience. "The visitor's center was surprisingly modern. The check in process was seamless, the ranger gave us some great tips," notes Becky E., highlighting the helpful staff and facilities available before heading to remote sites.
Scenic paddling routes: The marked buoy routes through the millpond lead to various camping areas through visually striking landscapes. "The scenery is TOP KNOTCH! Absolutely beautiful in the lake," explains Mark N., though he cautions the park is "not well marked due to limited visibility in the swampy environment."
Water considerations: The standing water in the swamp is not suitable for filtering or drinking. "The water there does not move therefore is not recommended for filtering for consumption," notes Mark N. Campers must bring all necessary water supplies for their stay.
Navigation challenges: The swamp environment creates unique wayfinding difficulties. "Bring your 3rd party map/GPS. The maps they provide are almost useless because it's a swamp and the terrain changes with water level. Islands can appear out of nowhere," advises Mark N. about Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground.
Site spacing and privacy: Campsite proximity varies between locations. "The campsights are pretty close together so don't expect privacy on a busy weekend," warns Mark N. about certain areas, while others note more secluded options: "Our sites were more private, a shorter walk to the pit toilet, and the trees provided a slight buffer."
Consider site selection carefully: Some sites provide more privacy and convenience than waterfront locations. "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," shares Becky E.
Plan for seasonal conditions: Spring and fall provide the most comfortable camping conditions. "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," recommends Heather R.
Pack for underwater hazards: Kayaks with underwater fins or drives face particular challenges. "We brought our Hobie kayaks - beware if you bring them our mirage drive seemed to find every downed tree or cypress knob under the water," warns Heather R. about Merchants Millpond State Park Backpack Campground.
Alternative tent options nearby: For RVers seeking tent sites with easier access, Sandy Bottom Nature Park provides walk-in sites with more amenities. "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," notes Liz J.
Reservation considerations: While Merchants Millpond requires advance reservations, some nearby alternatives operate differently. "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6," explains Liz J. about Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Noise levels: Highway proximity affects some alternative camping locations. "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," reports Liz J., an important consideration for those seeking quiet alternatives to Merchants Millpond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near White Oak, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near White Oak, NC is Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park with a 4.0-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near White Oak, NC?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near White Oak, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
