After the Coast Guard Marathon: Dismal Swamp State Park

The Route: Elizabeth City → South Mills (Dismal Swamp State Park) → Elizabeth City Logistics: Car north on US 17, a short drive each way. Day-use entry to the park is free. Marathon Month: April Duration: Day trip

Elizabeth City ──(short drive north on US 17)──> South Mills / Dismal Swamp State Park
       ▲                                                        │
       └──────────────────(same road back)──────────────────────┘

The Coast Guard Marathon finishes on Water Street in Elizabeth City on a Sunday morning, and most runners are showered and fed by early afternoon. Dismal Swamp State Park is at 2294 US 17 North in South Mills, north of the city on the same road, and its gates stay open until 17:30 in April. That leaves an afternoon on race day or a full day on the Monday. No public transport to the park has been listed, so a car is the working option, whether it is a hire car from Norfolk International Airport or a lift arranged through the hotel.

April in the Dismal Swamp: Elizabeth City's April averages run from a daily low of 9.7°C to a daytime high of 21.6°C, and the swamp sits on the same flat coastal plain. Mornings are cool and afternoons are mild, so a light layer is enough for a slow walk. Conditions vary, and rain can arrive, so check the forecast before driving out. Gates open at 08:00 and close at 17:30, and the trails close with the gates.

The canal trail

The Dismal Swamp Canal is 22 miles (35 km) long, and a paved trail runs beside it. The Camden County listing puts the Dismal Swamp Trail at about 3 miles (4.8 km), south of the welcome centre and the state park, following the canal and passing picnic tables and historic landmarks. No gradient is published, and ground beside a canal on this plain should be level. Seating is limited to the picnic tables, so plan an out-and-back walk of a kilometre or two each way and turn round when the legs ask.

After 42.195 km, a slow stroll on pavement does more for stiff quads than a long hike would. The listings mention no steps or inclines along the trail.

The visitor centre

The state park's visitor centre has exhibits, an auditorium and a classroom. It opens at 08:00 on weekdays and 09:00 at weekends, and it closes at 16:30. Boat rentals are available for a fee, and the canal is a popular paddling destination. Paddling on tired shoulders is a poor idea, so leave it for another trip.

The park's phones were out of service at the last check, and the state parks page asks visitors to email dismal.swamp@ncparks.gov. Do that before a Monday visit if the opening hours matter. Neither the state park nor the county listing mentions a café, so carry water and food.

Getting back

The road back to Elizabeth City is the same US 17. If the day started on the Sunday, leave the park by 17:00 to beat the gate closing, and keep the evening free for dinner in town. Cypress Creek Grill on South Water Street is closed on Sundays, so check the opening hours of any restaurant before setting out.