Merchants Millpond

176 Millpond Road Gatesville, NC 27938-9440 252-357-1191 merchants.millpond@ncparks.gov GPS: 36.437105, -76.701585 Education and Events: Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs about Merchants Millpond State Park. Contact the park office to arrange a special exploration for your group or class. Be sure to stop by the visitor center which overlooks the millpond. It features exhibits explaining the park’s natural and cultural resources, as well as space for rent for your special occasions. Camping: Campsites for tents and trailers offer picnic tables and grills. Drinking water, restrooms, showers and laundry area are nearby. There are no water or electrical hookups. Family Camping: Twenty campsites for tents and trailers offer picnic tables and grills. A washhouse with drinking water, restrooms and showers serves the campground. Backpack Camping: Campers must pack all supplies, including water, to the sites. A pit toilet is nearby. Walk-in Group Camping: Facilities include a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers. Drinking water is nearby. Canoe Camping: Reach three canoe camps by way of canoe trails leading from the visitor center and boat ramp. Pit toilets are available, but campers must carry all supplies, including water. Bennett’s Creek canoe-in campgrounds are carry-in, carry-out. There are no restrooms. 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 sites are available on a first-come first-served basis free of charge. The picnic shelter may be reserved for a fee. Trails: Eleven miles of trails offer a place to view the “enchanted forest” and Lassiter Swamp. At one-third of a mile, Cypress Point Trail is handicapped-accessible. It is a self-guided interpretive trail and provides beautiful views of the millpond. Much longer trails, such as Lassiter and Coleman, afford the visitor an exploration of the many habitats that surround the pond. Paddling: 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. Canoes and kayaks can be rented by the hour or overnight (for canoe-in campsites) at the visitor center. Canoes, paddles and life vests are available on a first-come first-served basis. You must be at least 15 years of age to rent a canoe. 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 just waiting to bite the hook. The Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) manages the fisheries of the millpond. All boating and fishing regulations of the WRC apply Merchants Millpond is located in Gates County near the community of Gatesville. The park may be reached from U.S. 158, N.C. 32 and N.C. 37. It is approximately 30 miles from the cities of Ahoskie, Elizabeth City and Edenton, North Carolina and Suffolk, Virginia. North Carolina State Parks are open every day, with the exception of Christmas Day. Park hours vary with the seasons. Please visit the North Carolina State Park website or contact the park office for the most current information about seasonal hours, activities, alerts, camping fees, programs rules and weather. www.ncparks.gov Make a reservation online at ncparks.gov or call 1-877-722-6762.