The Dismal Swamp Route departs the southbound Waterway at MM 7.2. Our thanks to Sarah Hill for this invitation from Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR!

To our Boating Community:

The 20^th  annual Paddle for the Border event will be held on Saturday, May 3^rd , beginning near mm28 at the Dismal Swamp State Park paddle launch on the historic Dismal Swamp Canal.  We will host about 375 canoes and kayaks launching approximately 8:30am and travel 7.5 miles north to the Ballahack Boat Ramp, in Chesapeake, VA.  This event encourages recognition of the historical waterway and its importance to our area.  The Dismal Swamp State Park, City of Chesapeake Parks, Rec and Tourism, Camden County, Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, and USACE all collaborate to promote this shared asset between two states.

Although the canal is still closed to maritime traffic, due to Deep Creek Bridge replacement project, we wanted to make everyone aware of this special paddling event that occurs annually. The launch will begin at 8:30am and paddlers will have cleared out of MM 28 location by 10:30am, heading north.  We have had a couple of boaters cruise up from Elizabeth City for an overnight stay at our dock and to experience the Dismal Swamp State Park, before heading back south during this closure period.

On behalf of the Paddle for the Border Committee, thank you for sharing this with your boating partners and please let us know if you have any questions.

We look forward to the historic waterway reopening to boating traffic in early May & can’t wait to see everyone soon!  Please feel free to call or reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Many thanks,

Sarah

Click Here To View the North Carolina Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For the Camden TDA/Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center