Merchants Millpond State Park

Open — The family campground with tent and trailer sites is closed due to construction until further notice. Backpack, paddle-in, and group paddle-in sites remain open and available for reservation year-round.

About

Located in Gates County near North Carolina's northeastern border with Virginia, Merchants Millpond State Park centers on a 760-acre millpond more than 190 years old. The park is known for its enchanted forest atmosphere, with old-growth bald cypress trees adorned with Spanish moss creating a unique wetland environment at the northernmost point of the American alligator's range. Lassiter Swamp offers particularly scenic paddling through cypress groves. Camping at Merchants Millpond is exclusively primitive, emphasizing a backcountry experience. The park maintains five backpack campsites accessible by hiking trails, ten paddle-in sites reached by paddling across the millpond, four Bennett's Creek paddle-in sites requiring a 4.5-mile paddle journey, and three group paddle-in sites. All primitive campers must check in at the visitor center at least one hour before sunset to secure a parking permit. The family campground with standard tent and trailer sites remains closed for construction. The park offers 10 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of biking trails. Boat rentals are available for those wishing to explore the millpond's placid waters. The visitor center features exhibits on the park's ecology and history. Park gates close at posted times (5:00 p.m. November through February, 6:30 p.m. March through October), and there is no entry or exit after closure.

Directions

Located in Gates County in northeastern North Carolina. From I-95, take US 158 east. The visitor center is located at 176 Millpond Road, Gatesville, accessible by driving south on Millpond Road from US 158. The park can also be reached via NC 32 and NC 37.

Nearby Campgrounds