ALL NORTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS: GENERAL STATUS OF FACILITIES AND GUIDELINES WHEN VISITING PARKS
Posted on: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 2:15pm |
Activities
Access area to the Millpond behind the Visitor Center is CLOSED due to construction. Please stay out of the marked area. Thank you.
Last updated on: Wednesday, May 27, 2020The family drive-up campground opens on Friday, May 22 for ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ONLY. We will not be taking walk-up reservations during this time. You can reserve a campsite online or by calling 1-877-722-6762.
Primitive backpack and paddle-in campsites remain CLOSED. Group campsites are also CLOSED.
Trails and restrooms are open, but the visitor center, picnic shelter, and canoe rentals are CLOSED.
All events and programs have been CANCELED until further notice.
When visiting, please follow social distancing guidelines regardless of the behavior of others. Please try to stay 6 feet away from other visitors and park staff or wear a face covering. Try to touch as few surfaces as possible and do not enter areas that have been closed off. Wash or sanitize your hands before, during, and after your visit, and stay home if you are sick.
Last updated on: Friday, May 22, 2020
Contact the park
252-357-1191
merchants.millpond@ncparks.gov
Address
Visitor center
176 Millpond Road
Gatesville, NC 27938
GPS: 36.4371, -76.7016
Hours
►
- November to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March to May:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- June to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- September to October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- November to February:
Open daily:
8:00am to 5:00pm
- March to October:
Open daily:
8:00am to 6:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Things to do
Hiking
The park is a great place for a hike! See the Trails page for more information.
Paddling
Rent a canoe or bring your own. The best way to explore Merchants Millpond is by gliding across the park's placid, shallow waters. A boat ramp and pier near the parking area offer access to the water. Marked paddle trails lead from the visitor center and boat ramp to canoe-in campsites. Venture out of the millpond and take slow-moving, dark-water Bennetts Creek through Lassiter Swamp. Here, park visitors are transported into a world of mistletoe, hanging Spanish moss and ancient cypress trees.
Canoes can be rented by the hour ($7) or overnight (for canoe-in campsites) at the visitor center. Canoes, paddles, and life vests are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of three people may occupy each vessel.
Fishing
Cast your line from the bank or journey into the millpond to fish in a pastoral setting. Small boats (with trolling motors only) may be launched at the boat ramp. Largemouth bass, bluegill, chain pickerel and black crappie are waiting to bite the hook! The Wildlife Resources Commission manages the millpond fisheries. All boating and fishing regulations of the WRC apply.
Picnicking
The shade of large trees offers a place to picnic within view of the millpond. Located north of the canoe access area, the A.B. Coleman Picnic Area has tables, one picnic shelter and restroom facilities. Picnic shelters are available on a first-come basis free of charge. The picnic shelter may be reserved for a fee.
