The Dismal Swamp State Park offers canoe/ kayak rentals for your enjoyment of the canal in NC waters, with access/launch beside the State Park bridge. (Car-top vessels only). Call 252-771-6593 for availability and more information.
~Visitors visiting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed properties, inlcuding Lake Drummond Reservation, must comply with Virginia State Parks guidelines.
Lake Drummond is a beautiful 3,000 acre natural fresh water lake in Virginia in the heart of the Dismal Swamp. Lake Drummond Reservation is located in the heart of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and accessible from the Feeder Ditch approximately 7 miles north of the Welcome Center and 3 miles west from the Canal. This one acre site offers primitive camping, restrooms (seasonal non-potable water) and picnic shelters. This site is managed by the USACE.
Lake Drummond Reservation Information
The Feeder Ditch is approximately a quarter mile to the south of the Ballahack Road Boat Ramp in Chesapeake, VA. (Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism maintains and manages this boat ramp and parking lot). The distance from the Canal to the Reservation (campground and spillway) is approximately three miles, and another half mile to the entrance of Lake Drummond. Paddlers/small boats must portage across this small one acre site to pass the spillway.
To explore other paddle sites in Northeastern NC, the Albemarle Resource Conservation and Development Council offers paddle trail maps to assist with trails and access points. Visit Albemarle Regional Paddle Trails for additional trail maps and information.
Event Information: Paddle for the Border
Camden County’s Paddle Trails:
Pasquotank River & Sawyers Creek
Dismal Swamp Canal
Indiantown Creek