Reviews: South Mills

Review Now

These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

Waterway Guide reserves the option of editing reviews and comments for grammar, clarity and the removal of defamatory or potentially slanderous language. When appropriate, reviews are forwarded to businesses for response prior to being made public. We will make every effort to be objective and impartial when posting reviews, but do not publicize details of disputes between parties.

Thanks for your valuable feedback!

South Mills

,
Dismal Swamp Canal 32.75

Lat / Lon: N 36° 26.618' / W 076° 19.578'

4.25

(4)

4.25 out of 5 stars

Review for South Mills

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel, Cruising Editor on Jun 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

The South Mills Free wall is located between the lock and the South Mills bridge on the middle section of bulkhead. The docking area is made obvious by the fact that there are cleats welded onto the top of the bulkhead for what look to be over a three hundred foot section with enough space for five or six boats. There is over 7 feet of water at the wall. As there is no traffic except in conjunction with lock operations there are no wake or current concerns. Unless the wind is straight out the north, there is no possibility of any wave issues either. There is no electricity or water. You are tying up next to the road but there is no traffic to speak of. There is plenty of room to walk your pet and there is a convenience store at the gas station at the bridge that does pizza, chicken, and other gourmet delights. Cell reception is good.

If you are planning on stopping here you must realize that the bridge operates in tandem with lock openings so your departure should be coordinated with the lockmaster. She will appreciate it.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for South Mills

Reviewed by: Ruby Sneed, Our Time, on May 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We are newbies and still learning. The lock tender was so helpful. She told us what to do step by step. We sure appreciate people helping us along our Loop.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for South Mills

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel, Cruising Editor on Apr 15, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Leaving South Mills Lock there is a long wall extending from the lock to the road bridge 0.4 miles into the Dismal Swamp Canal. The bridge is operated by the lockmaster who drives between the two sites. There is a section of the lock wall about half way between the lock and the bridge where there is yellow painted stripes on the top and down the sides of the wall. There is a mooring cleat in each of these stripes, placed about every 25 feet apart. There is enough room for in the tie up area for a minimum of six boats. Although there are roads on both sides of the canal there traffic was not bad. More noise comes from livestock and dogs in the area.

We left with the 0830 lock opening and made the 1330 lock opening at Deep Creek, the north end of the Great Dismal Swamp Canal with no problems. This was an excellent option for traveling the canal.

There is a convenience store in town, a short walk away. Cell reception was good for all carriers and there is plenty of room to walk pets along the canal.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for South Mills

Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on May 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

7 feet of water along a corrugated steel wall with good cleats.
Gas station convenience store nearby.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer