Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

North Carolina

4 Reviews

The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a paved, heavily wooded pathway along the eastern border of Dismal Swamp State Park. The park offers more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and is teeming with wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, subtropical birds and white-tailed deer. You'll begin at the park's welcome center and travel south to NC Highway 343 along US Highway 17. Along the way, picnic tables and benches provide places to rest.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at the northern trailhead at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center (2356 US Highway 17 N.), 3 miles south of the VA/NC border. Another trailhead and parking area is located at the trail's southern end at the intersection of US Highway 17 and NC 343.

Outstanding riding trails.

November 2020 mgall1

The trails are very well maintained. Despite all the previous rain, I had an awesome 23 mile ride and throughly enjoyed the day. The park Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Longer then noted

May 2020 candskennedy

If you start your ride at "Chessie" (address is 1200 Dismal Swamp Canal) and continue to the end it's 8.3 miles each way for a total of 16.6 miles. Make sure to apply bug spray. Family and cyclist friendly!

Beautiful nature facilities!

June 2014 hikerfolk

Enjoyed the movie and talks. Rented a bike while husband walked. Any number of short and long trails. Try the logging trail that goes deep into the swamp. Bring water, sunscreen, deet and trail snax to keep up energy level. Highly recommended.

October Recumbent Trike Ride

October 2012 mukieschmitt

The DSCT was really pleasant. The day was beautiful and so was the trail. The trail meanders through the trees adjacent to the canal and occasionally comes close to Route 17. There are places along the trail to stop and relax. The only thing wrong is that it would be nice if it was longer for bike/trike riding. A word of caution is that there are some raised asphalt (from tree roots) in some locations (real washboards). If you're riding a bike, and the tires are hard (high air pressure) they can jar you're ride seriously. Some one painted some white lines at the beginning and end of the bad areas as a warning I assume. When the sun is shining on the trail, the white lines are hard to see unless you really look for them. BUT all in all, it is really beautiful and pleasant. There is a very nice state visitors center at the north end.

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

North Carolina

4 Reviews