Point of Interest
Merchants Millpond State Park
176 Millpond Road, Gatesville, NC 27938
State park? More like enchanted forest. In the quiet northeast corner of North Carolina in Gates County, Merchants Millpond State Park offers a rare kind of stillness. Here, flatwater paddling isn't just a recreation — it’s a journey through a living landscape of bald cypress, Spanish moss and mirror-black waters that reflect the sky and the stillness of a centuries-old millpond.
Canoe or kayak rentals are available seasonally, and paddlers can explore winding routes where herons, turtles and even the occasional American alligator patrol the edges. On land, more than 9 miles of trails lead through coastal forest and swamp habitat, with options ranging from short strolls to the quiet solitude of backcountry campsites.
This is a place where the sounds of motors fade and nature reclaims the soundtrack. Whether you're gliding silently past sun-dappled cypress knees or stargazing beside the water, the experience is immersive and unforgettable.
