Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

Opens at 1pm

22 reviews

+1 (252) 771-8333

Website

Photos

Historic Dismal Swamp Canal, #DSCmm28

View from 150' boat dockage back at the DSWC and Rest Area

Dismal swamp

Photo by 696terryk

Photo by Joann W

2356 US Highway 17 N

South Mills, NC 27976

Opens at 1pm

+1 (252) 771-8333

http://www.dismalswampwelcomecenter.com

The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center is a NCDOT facility that provides a friendly face and tourism information to the traveling public. Whether by water or by land, the staff at this lovely complex aims to please, and assist the traveling public with a variety of services. About the Dismal Swamp Forbidding as its name may be, the Great Dismal Swamp is one of the few natural American gems remaining in the East. Despite its impressive size it remains a mystery to most people. We invite you to come see why many notables in America's history were lured by Nature's backdrop of emerald draping vines and sweet warbles of the songbirds which call the swamp "home". Today we are able to explore it's secrets, without the hardships endured by the early Americans pioneers that sought to tame it. Home to one of the largest Black Bear populations on the East Coast, subtropical birds, butterflies, bobcats and white-tailed deer, it is easily understood why this land deserves our protection. It offers travelers wealth of history and lore, flora and fauna.

Reviews

4.522 reviews

Rebecca M.

3/24/2025

The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center has plenty of parking. The center is divided into two sections, one area for restrooms and another area with a gift shop and state travel brochures. They have...

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Mary R.

12/27/2021

Perfect weather to be outdoor? Then head on over to the dismal swap trail. It's not really a hike through the trails tail. Great for bike rides with the family. Running a race? Then this is...

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Courtney G.

8/15/2022

Stopped on way into NC honestly to use bathroom but then walked around to stretch our legs and found so much more. There's a canal and lots of flowers. There's a gift shop where you can get info...

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Bruce K.

9/19/2019

As much as I would have liked to tour the Dismal Swamp Canal, I spent my time here in the welcome center and the rest area before continuing my journey onwards to Norfolk. As rest areas go, this...

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Larissa J.

11/3/2020

We loved this park, it was so clean, so easy to navigate, and such a treat. It was right off the main highway so super easy to get to and so much to go - you can hike, you can relax, you can...

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