Trails

Paddle for the Border festival at Dismal Swamp State Park

2294 U.S. 17 N.
South Mills, NC 27976

252-771-6593
dismal.swamp@ncparks.gov

GPS: 36.505700, -76.355100

March - October: 8am - 6pm
November - February: 8am - 5pm
Closed Christmas Day

Visitor Center
Weekdays: 8am - 4:30pm
Saturday - Sunday: 9:30am - 4:30pm

Trails close one-half hour before park closing time.

List of trails

There are 16.7 miles of former logging roads for hiking and mountain biking through the swamp forest.

Bring your bike or rent one from the park. Men's, women's and children's bikes are available, as well as helmets.

Bull Boulevard

Location: Begins at the southern end of Forest Line Road

Description:

Bull Boulevard is a quiet, grassy road deep in the swamp, where a few cypress and cedar trees grow. You are likely to find bear sign, wood ducks, and otters.

Surface: natural surface

Length:
2.25 miles
one way

Difficulty:
easy

Blaze:
none

Bull Boulevard at Dismal Swamp State Park

Biking

Canal Road

Location: Begins at the Visitor Center

Description:

With its sandy surface, the trail is a great place to observe animal crossings.

Surface: natural surface, sand, gravel

Length:
2.20 miles
one way

Difficulty:
easy

Blaze:
brown "CR" markers every half-mile

Canal Road Trail at Dismal Swamp State Park

Biking

Corapeake Road

Location: Begins at the northern end of South Martha Washington Trail

Description:

The trail runs just south of the NC/VA state line, cutting west across the park. You can see abundant pocosin habitat along Corapeake. Common species include bay and gallberry.

Surface: natural surface, gravel

Length:
4.80 miles
one way

Difficulty:
easy

Blaze:
none

Corapeake Road at Dismal Swamp State Park

Biking

Forest Line Road

Location: Runs north-south along the western boundary of park; accessed from Kim Saunders or Corapeake Roads

Description:

This mostly gravel trail is deep in the Swamp, with shoulders dotted with Atlantic White-Cedar trees. Black bear and otter are frequently seen here, along with herons, ducks, and the occasional bald eagle.

Surface: natural surface, sand, gravel

Length:
2.30 miles
one way

Difficulty:
easy

Blaze:
none

Forest Line Road at Dismal Swamp State Park

Hiking

Biking

Kim Saunders Road

Location: Begins at the northern end of Canal Road

Description:

This trail runs west, nearly straight across the park, from its intersection with Canal Road. Black bear, turkey, bobcat, and butterflies may be seen here. Birders will enjoy the trail for the many warblers frequenting the woods along either side.

Surface: natural surface, gravel

Length:
5.40 miles
one way

Difficulty:
easy

Blaze:
brown "KS" markers every mile