Dismal Swamp Canal - Kayak Virginia Beach

The Dismal Swamp Canal Boat launch, is located on the George Washington Highway roughly 10 miles Southeast of central chesapeake. This is one of the few launches that will give you access to Lake Drummond, actually it is the closest that I know of that you can get to without a permit. There is plenty of parking, but no other facilities. The ramp itself is concrete, with a wooden dock extending all the way to the canal itself. After you launch, use caution when entering the main canal as there may be some traffic, make a left and head south for about a mile. There you will see on the right a smaller canal, known as the feeder ditch. Head up the ditch for about 3 miles, and keep in mind that there is usually about a 1 mph current that you'll be paddling against (bonus for the trip home). You will then be at the Army Corps of Engineers gauging station, take the canal to the left at the end of which you will find a marine railway and a place to land your boat, and portage to the canal that connects to Lake Drummond. After putting back in it is about a quarter mile to the lake itself.

When you enter the lake, get a good bearing on where you are at, because if you don't have a GPS and even though there is a yellow sign there, finding the canal from the lake can be a bit difficult. If you don't have a GPS, just remember that the sun sets in the West, and the canal is on the East side of the lake.

The lake itself is about 2 and half miles across, and essentially round, with the deepest point being about 6 feet, I know it doesn't sound like much, but it is actually very beautiful and peaceful there, and well worth the effort.

The thing that amazes me about the paddle through the canal and feeder ditch, is the history here, the things I have read about the construction, the battles fought over it, but the thing that impresses me the most is that it was all dug by hand, excluding the lake.

The gauging station provides some facilities for camping and picnicking including covered picnic shelter barbecues water and restrooms from spring through early fall, this provides a nice break to your day trip, or the ability to extend you trip over a day or 2. These facilities are free and available on a first come basis.

Recent Trips
Date	Trip Title	Distance
06/02/2007	100th Trip - Dismal Swamp Canal - Lake Drummond	11.00
05/27/2005	Golden Gate Bridge 68th - Dismal Swamp Canal - Lake Drummond	12.27
01/01/2005	New Years Day - Dismal Swamp Canal, Lake Drummond	10.00

Launch Site Directions
Directions to Dismal Swamp Canal in a new window.