COVID-19 information for parks (Updated 5/28/2021)
Posted on: Friday, May 28, 2021 - 10:04am |
New URL for the webstore
Posted on: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 - 10:58am |
Camping
All campgrounds at Merchants Millpond have reopened. You can reserve a campsite online or by calling 1-877-722-6762. Expect longer than normal wait times for phone calls.
Hourly canoe rentals remain CLOSED. Canoe rentals are available for canoe-in campers only for 24-hour rentals.
The Classroom and Outdoor Classroom are not available for rentals at this time due to other operational needs for those facilities.
Lassiter Trail has been rerouted. The trail begins at the Visitor Center and is a distance of 7 miles. The current maps are not an accurate representation of the trail. Please follow the White circle blazes posted along the trail. There are times that the bicycle trail and Lassiter trail run together. The bicycle trail is blazed with Red Triangles. Bikes are only allowed on sections of trail that are blazed with Red Triangles. Bikers must announce their presence, make sure the hikers see them, and slow down while passing hikers.
Please continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines throughout the park. Masks are strongly encouraged for visitors that are not vaccinated. Wash or sanitize your hands before, during, and after your visit. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.
Last updated on: Saturday, June 12, 2021
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
Camping
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AMENITIES:
Not all campsites have identical amenities. Read the campsite information on the reservations website to see photos of campsites; check availability and fees; find out whether a specific site is wheelchair accessible, has access to water, bathouses or pit toilets, or has electric hookup; and learn other important information.
A variety of settings offer camping experiences for large and small groups. Drive to the family campground, paddle to the canoe camping sites or backpack to the primitive sites. Facilities may be limited in winter months.
Tent and trailer camping
The family campground is in the midst of a pine/hardwood forest just beyond the park office. Twenty campsites for tents and trailers offer picnic tables and grills. A washhouse with drinking water, restrooms and showers serves the campground. There are no electrical hookups, water or dumping station.
Group camping
Organized groups will enjoy a stay in the walk-in group camping area or in a canoe camping group site.
Facilities for the walk-in sites include a small washhouse with a shower. Drinking water is available nearby.
Backpack camping
Reach five campsites for backpack camping by hiking a side trail off Lassiter Trail.
Campers must pack all supplies, including water, to the sites. A pit toilet is nearby.
Views of the "enchanted forest" and Lassiter Swamp await those who travel to the backpack camping area.
Paddle-in camping
Reach three canoe camps by way of paddle trails leading from the boat ramp.
Orange markers lead to the family canoe camp with 10 sites. Yellow markers lead to the group canoe camp, which offers three sites. Pit toilets are available, but campers must carry in all supplies, including water, and carry out their trash.
The third canoe camp is located down Bennett's Creek, approximately 4.5 miles from the boat ramp. Bennett's Creek canoe-in campgrounds are carry-in, carry-out with no restrooms.
