Bennett’s Millpond / Rockyhock Creek

Think millpond and paddling in eastern North Carolina and thoughts immediately turn to Merchants Millpond, popular anchor of a state park bearing its name in Gates County. Merchants Millpond is popular for good reason: the 760-acre pond is peppered with bald cypress and tupelo gum, and its onsite rentals make for easy accessibility.

But Chowan County, to the south, has a little millpond of its own that it wants paddlers to know about. Bennett’s Millpond offers about 5 miles of upstream paddling, through cypress and past beaver lodges, through duckweed and amid a variety of waterfowl. You can also paddle Rockyhock Creek down to its conclusion in the Chowan River. Millpond and creek paddling, from the same put-in.

Like Merchants Millpond, a good option for beginner and seasoned paddler alike.

More info and maps

Getting there: From N.C. 32 go west on Rockyhock Road for less than a mile to the Bennett’s Millpond access. Map here.

Access and shuttle

/—/


Difficulty: Easy
Length: 5 miles
Time to complete: 3-6 hours
Location: Chowan County
City: Gatesville
State: N.C.
Zip: 27938
Put-in latitude: 36 08.429
Put-in longitude: -76 39.731