We're gearing up for our 10th annual event. This popular event was created to promote and display the beauty and history surrounding the historic Great Dismal Swamp and Dismal Swamp Canal. It is also to promote recreational paddling in the dark mirrored waters of the canal.

This year the event will follow the same direction as the past few of beginning in North Carolina and ending in Virginia. A light breakfast, registration, lining up of the water vessels, and then the signal to begin launching is the agenda on the South end. Paddlers will paddle the 7.5 miles to the Ballahack Road Boat Ramp in Chesapeake for the reward of lunch. We see paddlers with all types of vessels and many forms of paddling (traditional and contemporary).

If you can’t come for this event, bring your canoe or kayak anytime, and launch it by the pedestrian bridge which accesses our State Park. The Dismal Swamp State Park provides Native Kayak and canoe rentals for our guests. A fee of $5 for the first hour and $3 each additional hour will allow visitors an opportunity to glide through the tea colored waters of the historic Dismal Swamp Canal on their visits. (Pfd's and paddles included).
 
Come Play in our History