Whether you grew up in the Tar Heel State or are a frequent visitor, you’re likely already smitten by the state’s enchanting side, where powerful waterfalls pour down the sides of mountains, breathtaking beaches sprinkle the entire coast with beautiful escapes, and layers of mountains blanket the landscape with sheets of graduating colors. But there’s more, much more – including an enchanted and submerged forest of ancient trees that sits at the focal point of one of North Carolina’s most underappreciated state parks.

You have but to make only one visit to Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County to comprehend the astounding hidden beauty here.
Flickr/Kristy Dactyl
The park is home to a 200-year-old mill pond that once powered a grist mil.
Google/Henry Francisco
And then, there's Lassiter Swamp, also located within the park and reachable by canoe or kayak.
TripAdvisor/markawilson33
Many of the submerged bald cypress trees in Lassiter Swamp are estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey to be at least 500 years old. Others have estimated they are much older.
pateilers / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

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And exploring both the pond and the swamp couldn't be easier.
Google/aniket chandak
Visitors are welcome to bring their own canoe or kayak. Or, rent a canoe from the park and prepare for one of the most pleasant paddling experiences ever.
Paddling trails lead from the boat ramp at the visitors center, where you can pick up a paddler's map, or download one here from North Carolina State Parks.
USGS/Debra Willard (public domain)
To get to Lassiter Swamp, the paddling map will lead you through Bennetts Creek, a dark waterway, to another world in the swamp filled with enormous bald cypress trees all around.
Google/Chris
Merchants Millpond State Park even has a number of tent camping sites that are only reachable by way of a canoe or kayak.
TripAdvisor/Robert B
The park also offers tent and trailer camping, group camping sites, backpack camping with hike-in sites next to Lassiter Swamp. In addition, one of the paddle-in sites is a group site with 10 very rustic campsites.
Have you discovered the enchanting and submerged forest at Merchants Millpond State Park yet?
Google Maps

Learn more with a visit to the official website for North Carolina State Parks. The park is open year round, with hours that very by season. Hours are posted on the website. Admission is free.

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Merchants Millpond State Park, 176 Mill Pond Rd, Gatesville, NC 27938, USA