Located in the quiet area of the Great Dismal Swamp where Virginia and North Carolina meet is a hidden treasure for anyone who likes to walk, bike, canoe, or kayak. In fact, the park at the Great Dismal Swamp Welcome Center (GDSWC) is one of the few remaining areas of real wilderness on the East coast. Exploring this hidden treasure will provide the opportunity to encounter all sorts of different wildlife and nature. The park is very easy to find, and is ideal for anyone residing in Southeastern Virginia or Northeastern North Carolina. The park itself is located just south of the North Carolina/Virginia state border, with its hub sitting right in the middle of a rest area. Another unique characteristic of the GDSWC is that it is approachable by land or by boat. The Great Dismal Swamp Canal adjoins to the inter-coastal waterway, allowing boats from all over to navigate right up to the rest area itself. In addition to ease-of-access, this feature provides great scenery to enjoy lunch; my family and I do so regularly! The trails themselves range from easy to moderate difficulty. The trail known locally as "the greenway," is an asphalt paved trail that runs parallel between US Hwy 17 and the Dismal Swamp Canal for about 2.75 miles of length. This is one of the easier trails, and is smooth, relatively flat and wide, making it suitable for walkers, joggers, or bikers. There is a treeline separating the trail from the highway, and with the natural forest of the swamp on the other side, there is a constant canopy for shade. This trail is great whether you are an active jogger, taking the family on a bike ride, or an older person in a rascal; no matter what, you're going to have a great time. There are more difficult trails on the swamp side of the park, a couple for hiking and one for mountain biking. These trails are not paved, and are more suitable for those interested in cross country conditions. The mountain bike trail is mostly sand, with occasional beds of pine needles, mud, sticks, etc. Speaking from personal experience, my five and seven year old boys had a hard time on this one. The mountain bike trail is also a longer one, being around 9 miles in length. With the rest area close by, there is always room to park and a place to take care of things like hand washing, bathroom using, and of course, resting. Locally, the park is also known for its "Paddle for the Border" event, where canoers and kayakers register annually to participate in an organized tour of the Dismal Swamp Canal. No matter canal or trail is right for you, I'm certain you'll have an enjoyable time at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI am Josh 25-year-old mechanical engineer from Bismarck, North Dakota. I love sailing, kayaking and scuba diving. Archives
November 2016
Categories |