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Hours

Monday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Merchants Millpond Family Campground Introduce

As a resident of North Carolina, you know our state offers an incredible diversity of landscapes and outdoor experiences. For those who truly cherish the simplicity and tranquility of traditional camping, where the sounds of nature replace the hum of electricity, Merchants Millpond Family Campground in Gatesville, NC, stands out as an exceptional choice. This is not your typical RV park with all the bells and whistles; it’s a haven for those who seek a genuine connection with the outdoors, offering spacious, secluded, and refreshingly primitive campsites.

Merchants Millpond Family Campground has quickly earned a reputation among its visitors for its serene atmosphere, particularly during the quieter winter months. Imagine waking up to the stillness of nature, with plenty of personal space around your campsite, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of eastern North Carolina. It’s a place where cleanliness and maintenance are clearly a priority, ensuring that your camping experience is comfortable and enjoyable, even without modern hookups at every site.

This campground is ideal for locals who want to unplug and unwind. It’s a "go-to" spot for many who appreciate a quiet retreat, offering a sense of seclusion while still being easily accessible. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with family, enjoy a peaceful solo trip, or simply escape the everyday noise, Merchants Millpond Family Campground provides the perfect backdrop for creating lasting memories in the heart of our beautiful state.

Location and Accessibility

Merchants Millpond Family Campground is conveniently located at 47 US Hwy 158 Business E, Gatesville, NC 27938, USA. This address places it directly in Gatesville, a town nestled in the northeastern part of North Carolina. For residents across the state, particularly those in the eastern and central regions, the campground is easily accessible via major roadways.

The clear and direct entrance off US Hwy 158 Business E ensures that locating the campground is straightforward, eliminating any navigation headaches and allowing you to quickly transition into your camping adventure. Its position in Gatesville means it's far enough from major metropolitan areas to offer a true sense of escape and quiet, yet close enough for a convenient weekend trip or extended stay. This balance of seclusion and accessibility makes it a practical and appealing choice for North Carolinians seeking a peaceful outdoor retreat without having to travel excessively far.

Services Offered
  • Primitive Camping Sites: The campground primarily offers primitive campsites, meaning individual sites do not have electric or water hookups. This caters to campers who prefer a more traditional and rustic experience.

  • Spacious and Secluded Sites: Campsites are noted for being generously sized and offering a good degree of seclusion, allowing for privacy and a quiet atmosphere.

  • Clean Restrooms and Showers: Despite the primitive nature of the sites, the common restrooms and showers are consistently maintained to a high standard, ensuring cleanliness and comfort for all campers.

  • Well-Kept Grounds: The overall grounds of the campground are meticulously maintained, contributing to a pleasant and inviting environment for visitors.

  • Year-Round Accessibility: While particularly quiet in winter months, the campground appears to be accessible, offering a peaceful retreat even outside of peak seasons.

Features / Highlights
  • Exceptional Cleanliness: A standout feature highlighted by campers is the immaculate condition of the grounds, campsites, and especially the restrooms and showers. This commitment to cleanliness significantly enhances the camping experience.

  • Quiet and Peaceful Atmosphere: The campground is renowned for its tranquility, offering a serene escape, particularly during the winter months when it becomes almost deserted. This makes it ideal for those seeking solitude and a calm environment.

  • Spacious and Secluded Campsites: Unlike some campgrounds where sites are packed closely together, Merchants Millpond provides generous space between sites, ensuring privacy and a more personal connection with nature.

  • Easy Accessibility: The entrance is conveniently located directly off a main highway (US Hwy 158 Business E), making it simple to find and access, which is a significant plus for local campers.

  • Primitive Camping Experience: For those who enjoy true roughing it without electrical hookups or water at individual sites, this campground offers an authentic and rewarding primitive camping adventure, encouraging self-reliance and a deeper immersion in nature.

  • Merchants Millpond State Park Proximity: While not explicitly stated in reviews, the name suggests proximity to Merchants Millpond State Park, known for its unique cypress swamp, canoeing, and wildlife viewing, potentially offering additional recreational opportunities for campers.

  • Reliable Go-To Destination: For repeat visitors, the campground has become a trusted "go-to" spot, indicating a high level of satisfaction and a consistent quality of experience.

Contact Information

Address: 47 US Hwy 158 Business E, Gatesville, NC 27938, USA

Phone: (252) 357-1191

Mobile Phone: +1 252-357-1191

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For North Carolinians yearning for a genuine, no-frills camping experience that prioritizes peace and natural immersion, Merchants Millpond Family Campground in Gatesville is an undeniable gem. Its accessible location in northeastern NC makes it a convenient drive for many residents across the state, ensuring that your valuable time off is spent enjoying the great outdoors rather than enduring lengthy travels. This campground truly caters to those who appreciate the simplicity and quietude that only primitive camping can offer, making it an ideal local escape.

What sets Merchants Millpond Family Campground apart and makes it particularly suitable for North Carolina locals is its commitment to providing a serene and impeccably maintained environment. In a world often filled with noise and distractions, finding a place where campsites are spacious and secluded, and the only sounds are those of nature, is a true luxury. The consistent praise for its cleanliness, from the grounds to the restrooms and showers, demonstrates a dedication to camper comfort, even without individual site hookups. This attention to detail allows locals to truly unwind and reconnect with the natural beauty of our state.

Furthermore, the fact that many visitors consider it a "go-to" destination, particularly in the quieter winter months, speaks volumes about its appeal. It offers a unique opportunity to experience North Carolina's outdoor splendor in a more intimate and personal way, away from the crowds often found at more amenity-rich parks. Whether you're a seasoned primitive camper or simply looking for a quiet, clean, and secluded spot to pitch your tent and escape for a few days, Merchants Millpond Family Campground provides that perfect blend of rustic charm and reliable quality, making it an excellent choice for any North Carolina resident seeking a genuine outdoor adventure close to home.

Location

North CarolinaGates CountyGatesvilleUS Hwy 158 Business E

Customer Reviews

4.0
16 reviews
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Michael Firth
Feb 19, 2025

A very nice and quiet campground in the winter months. The grounds, sites, and restrooms/showers are very clean and well kept. I've been here twice the past month, and it's probably going to become one of my goto's.

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Xplore Kayak Tours
Nov 04, 2024

Great camping sites. Spacious, secluded and quiet. Easy to locate entrance off the main highway. Sites are primitive, with no electric hookup or water at the individual sites.

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Robin B
Dec 06, 2022

This is one of the best state parks we’ve stayed at in North Carolina. Very private with large sites and nice, clean bathrooms with hot showers. The family campground is not at the visitor center. We checked in at visitor center and they gave us directions to campground. They also have firewood for sale at the visitor center so if you want wood buy it while you’re there. We will be back to this campground.

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Hillary Colvin
May 21, 2024

A perfect small campground except that the dumpster emptying service came at 3 am and was very loud. Very wooded sites offer lots of shade. Kayaking in Bennets Creek (swamp) at the nearby state park is gorgeous. Very easy hiking trails are lovely too No playground. Very clean restroom and hot showers. Dog friendly. Picnic area available a couple of miles away near the state park visitor center.

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Marc Ness
May 30, 2023

Wonderful spot. Very quiet and very wooded. No light pollution if you're into star or moon gazing, but you'll have to go to a small (50 yards) circle of clearing near the showers/toilets to see the sky. Which, there are some strong lamps illuminating that. If you're a serious night sky gazer, you could set up a t-scope somewhere nearby but might have to drive a mile or so. No electric for the sites (coming next year, we were told), and one water outlet for the circle of 12-15 sites. Plenty of water available, at considerable pressure. Hold onto your water jug/carriers! GREAT area for tent campers, and for "boondocking" RVs and trailers. The shower/toilet facilities are great, with good hot water and lighting, and I saw large heater units so probably comfy in the winter. We were also told that there will be a whole new shower/toilet thing next year. Easy access to things up and down the road (gas station, roads to somewhere, the boat launch, etc.). There are a couple of trails leading straight out of the campground, and several trails in the Park that those trails tie into. We've found that NC is seriously upgrading a lot of their state park's trailer camping spots (hence "next year" for the campsites and the "necessary"). Other NC state parks that we've visited have been very well done. This campground was very well set up originally, but getting dated for modern tastes. It's still a great place. If you're a tent camper but would like a nearby shower and "necessary", this place is perfect. Spacious sites, so privacy. Seems to be a solid tradition of quiet among the campers whether tent or RV.