North Carolina Coastal Plains Area State Parks
Merchants Millpond

About:
An "enchanted forest," primitive species of fish relatively unchanged over millions of years, towering bald cypress trees with massive trunks, luxuriant growths of Spanish moss—this is Merchants Millpond State Park. Here, coastal pond and southern swamp forest mingle, creating one of North Carolina's rarest ecological communities. 
Things to do:
Accessible facilities, camping, canoeing, education and events, fishing, hiking, picnicking
Park hours:
November-February, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
March and October, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
April and September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
May-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 
Closed Christmas Day
Park Address/Phone Number:
71 US Hwy 158E, Gatesville, NC 27938 
(252) 357-1191
Park fees:
Camping
Canoe camping: $9 per site, per day. Pit toilets nearby. Maximum of six persons per site.
Backpack camping: $9 per site, per day. Pit toilets nearby. Maximum of six persons per site.
Camping in non-electric sites: $15 per day, per site; $10 a day for senior citizens 62 years of age or older. A picnic table and grill are at each campsite. A washhouse with drinking water, restrooms and showers is nearby and open from March 15 through November. Maximum of six persons per site.
Group camping: $1 per person with an $9 minimum. Walk-in group camping and group canoe camping available. Walk-in group campsite includes a small washhouse with a pay shower. Drinking water nearby. Reservations required. The canoe organized group tent sites may be reserved by organized groups who provide their own canoes.

Canoe rental: $5 for the first hour and $3 each additional hour. For canoe campers, $20 per 24-hour period. Includes paddles and life vests. Renters must be at least age 15. Each vessel holds a maximum of three people. 

Picnic shelter reservations: $60. Restrooms nearby. Use of the shelter is free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

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