Mill Creek Ranch Resort
Canton
866 599-7275
Website
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Map: Campsite Map Special Offer: Click here Texas Outside Favorite Sites: P1, 51, 89, 80, 75, or 100 are very good sites. For cottages, pick 80 which is the closest to the lodge and pool or 103 at the end if you want to be isolated.

Texas Outside Rating: 9.8

Brief Overview: 

Mill Creek Ranch RV Park & Cottage Resort began construction on Phase 1 of this new and exciting park in April 2007. The initial phase, which is on 86 of over 200 acres, includes 100 full hook-up RV sites, 2 pools, an office and lounge area, a huge lodge, two stocked ponds, a pavilion, a number of other amenities, and what will grow to over 50 cottages for sale or rent.

We visited in February 2008 and were impressed with what had already been completed at Mill Creek Ranch. They had 100 RV sites, the main pool, the restrooms and showers, the pavilion, and the lounge open. There was still a lot of construction and we couldn't wait to come back and see the new lodge and pool. So we returned almost a year later and were amazed - the new lodge is impressive and it's pool and hot tub are spectacular. Over 30 cottages were completed and three new ponds were filling with water. More landscaping had been added as well as a number of other improvements. And they are still not done with adding more landscaping as well as other amenities to make your stay at Mill Creek more fun. What hadn't changed with the service, their friendly and helpful attitude, and their pride in Mill Creek Ranch. From the security guard to the back hoe driver everyone goes out of their way to wave, say hi, and ask if they can help you.

Based on what we saw and heard about what's coming from the staff and general manager Bud Surles, Mill Creek Ranch will be setting the standard for RV resorts in Texas! They have 200 beautiful acres with rolling hills, streams, trees, and are adding landscaping, ponds, trails, and other first class amenities. This is an $8.5 million project that Bud Surles wants to be much more than just an RV park. His goal is to make Mill Creek a family destination with lots of amenities and fun things for families to experience.

A portion of the park in the valley along Mill Creek is reserved for Cottages that will be sold for personal use and can also be put into a rental pool for park visitors to rent year round. Click here to learn more about the cottage ownership program. On our last visit, we stayed in one of the cottages and really enjoyed it.

Amenities and Fun Things To Do:

In Phase 1, Mill Creek Ranch has built 100 full hook-up RV sites with 20/30/50 AMP service. Sixty three of the sites are pull through and long enough for the biggest rigs plus a towed vehicle. The roads are paved and wide enough for the largest RVs to easily maneuver. All of the sites are level, have a fire pit, and picnic table. Premium sites are larger, have views of the pond, and include a grill and table, chairs and umbrella. Our only complaint, is that all of the sites are side-by-side and close together. A concierge will escort you to your site and your site will be clean and even have wood in the fire pit.

If you don't own an RV, then you should consider buying or renting one of the 103 cottages that are in the heavily treed valley along Mill Creek. There are three types of cottages for rent or purchase. All are well equipped with furniture, bathroom and shower, TVs, full kitchen, and beds for 4 to 6 people. On our last visit, we stayed in one of the cottages and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was well equipped, clean, comfortable, and had all the amenities you need for a day, weekend, or longer. Plus there is daily room service and a nice deck with a great view of the woods - perfect for morning coffee or an evening drink. You can learn more about the cabins by visiting the Mill Creek website.

Some of the other amenities that you'll find at this outstanding RV park include:

• RV lounge and office with couches and chairs, flat screen TV, fireplace, and game tables that convert to bumper pool tables
• small store with grocery staples and basic RV supplies
• kids playground
• beautiful pool area with a stone waterfall and grill and cooking area
• seven stocked ponds (catch and release) scattered throughout the property
• waterfalls that cascade into small ponds
• outdoor pavilion with tables, grill, and cooking area
• laundry room
• very clean restrooms with tile showers and tubs
• a Gazebo surrounded by Mill Creek which is excellent for wedding ceremonies or just some peace and quiet
• fitness center with the latest equipment
• stone fire pit in the pool area that is fantastic for socializing or cooking smoores
• free WiFi and cable
• hiking trails along Mill Creek and the ponds
• badmitten and volleyball courts
• picnic tables located by the waterfalls, ponds, and under the trees

The great lodge is fantastic and offers meeting room, kitchen area, restrooms, and a lounge area with a huge fireplace, flat screen TV, and panoramic views of the pool and valley. You won't want to get out of the infinity pool with a waterfall or the spa, both of which also overlook the valley filled with majestic oaks, sycamores, cedar, black walnut, persimmon, and hickory trees. The Great Lodge features sprawling timbers, expansive ceilings, 26 foot tall glass windows, and Austin stone inside and out. The Grand Lodge will serve the guests of the Resort by providing space for meetings, conferences, seminars, and special events such as weddings, family reunions, and other celebrations. It will have the capability of serving groups of up to 150. In early 2009, Mill Creek applied for a liquor and food license and hopes to soon be serving food and drinks.

Mill Creek's staff is warm, very outgoing, extremely proud of their new resort, and out to ensure that your stay is enjoyable. Some of the little things that Mill Creek does to further separate them from other RV parks includes: making your trash mysteriously disappear within minutes after you set it out; checking and cleaning the restrooms and showers every hour; providing a free Saturday night BBQ with live music; free concierge services to guide you to your site and assist with set up; shuttle bus to get guests to and from First Monday Trade Days; and making sure that your site's fire pit has wood. Mill Creek is perfect for outdoor weddings, corporate retreats, reunions, RV rallies, or other special events. The staff will attend to your wishes and ensure that your stay is memorable.

Phase II of the project will have new recreation facilities including a trophy bass lake, marina, 100 recreation cottage sites, and 100 RV sites. Under consideration is an equestrian center as well as floating cottages! This project will begin in 2009.

A Typical Texas Outsider Day:

We visit Mill Creek to enjoy a leisure camping trip with friends and family and take advantage of all their amenities. We also enjoy playing golf at Twin Lakes in Canton and Garden Valley just down the road in Lindale - both are outstanding courses.

Mill Creek is a perfect location for spending the weekend during First Monday Trade Days. They are less than a mile from the main market and will provide a shuttle service to and from the market.

A new zip line company, Wired, just opened for business in 2009 and they have some of the tallest and longest ziplines in Texas. We had a fun and thrilling time on this new adventure. Read our Weekend Adventures Article to learn more.

Cool Nearby Activities:

Mill Creek Ranch is conveniently located to a number of nearby fun things to see and do. When you stay at Mill Creek, visit Tyler which is about 35 miles east. In Tyler, we enjoy biking and hiking in Tyler State Park, a visit to see the cats at Big Tiger Creek, good restaurants, and visiting the Tyler Zoo. To find more about Tyler and our list of the Top Ten Things to Do, visit our Tyler Outside Guide.

First Monday Trade Days just down the road from Mill Creek and has over 7000 vendors selling everything from azaleas to zippers. If you plan on attending a First Monday Trade Days, make sure you book a Mill Creek site well in advance. If you like to fish, you're not that far some some of the best bass fishing in Texas at Lake Fork. Here is a link to nearby lakes, fishing guides, marinas, boat rentals, and more. To find the local golf courses and read our reviews, check out Texas Outside's Golfing Texas Section. To find other courses in the area, click here.The kids and us kids at heart will love Canton's Splashtown water park with lots of good slides and more. Mill Creek is working on setting up Golf and Fishing Stay & Play packages that will offer special deals on golf, fishing, and overnight stays.

And don't leave Canton without visiting Wired Zip Line Tours for a fun time zipping through the air from platform to platform.

Mill Creek Ranch Resort Rating Scenic Beauty:  Park Condition:  Amenities:  Campsites:  Things To Do: