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Merchants Millpond State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules

Places › Merchants Millpond State Park

Merchants Millpond State Park is a North Carolina state park in Gatesville, Gates County, in our Eastern Plain & Inner Banks region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.

  • AdmissionFree day usesome services cost extra
  • HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 8 a.m., by month
  • ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
  • DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below

About Merchants Millpond State Park

A 760-acre millpond more than 190 years old is the center of this Gates County park, which you can paddle or hike around. Old-growth cypress with Spanish moss gives Lassiter Swamp an enchanted look, and alligators have been seen at the northern edge of their range.

Plan It in Three Lines

  1. Getting In

    Day-use admission is free.

    Closes 6 to 9 p.m.

  2. Bring the Dog?

    Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.

    Full rules below

  3. Make It a Trip

    Dismal Swamp State Park is about 20 miles away (straight line).

    1 units within 30 miles

Merchants Millpond State Park Hours

The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 9 p.m. (Jun to Aug). It opens 8 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:

Closing Time by Month Park Hours, p.m.

Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.

Park Hours
MonthHours
January8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
June8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Visitor Center: From November to February, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. From March to October, open daily from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • The park is closed on Christmas Day.
  • The park is open during all other holidays.

Admission and Fees

There are no fees required to access Merchants Millpond State Park for day use, except for boat rentals. Fees are also charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.

Dogs and Strollers

  • Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
  • Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (252-357-1191) before you go.

Directions and Contact

State Parks Near Merchants Millpond State Park

Around Merchants Millpond State Park within 60 miles
20 mi40 mi60 miNSEW12
  1. 1Dismal Swamp State ParkState Parkabout 20 mi
  2. 2Pettigrew State ParkState Parkabout 48 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Merchants Millpond State Park?

Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.

Are dogs allowed at Merchants Millpond State Park?

Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

What time does Merchants Millpond State Park close?

It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.

Is Merchants Millpond State Park open on Christmas?

The park is closed on Christmas Day.

Are strollers allowed at Merchants Millpond State Park?

Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
  • Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.

Sources

  1. Merchants Millpond State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
  2. NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
  3. OpenStreetMap (map point check)

Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Merchants Millpond State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/merchants-millpond-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.