Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

South Mills, United States

4.1

9 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 252-771-8333
Website:
www.dismalswampwelcomecenter.com
Address:
2356 US Hwy 17 N, South Mills, NC, 27976
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Today

Today –
Local time (South Mills) 10:01 AM Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday –
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

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.

History

Established in 1989.

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.

Meet the Manager

Donna Stewart S.

Manager

Donna is serving as Director of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center on US 17 on the banks of the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, oldest hand-​dug waterway in the country still in use today as part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Vicinity

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9 reviews of Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Oakland Gardens, NY
Such friendly ladies in the welcome center.
All kinds of brochures for all over North Carolina.
Picnic tables, nice surroundings for picture taking.
There are some large bugs buzzing about so be prepared to swat.
Place rating: 4
Hamburg
Wann immer wir einen neuen Bundesstaat ansteuern, wird zunächst beim ersten verfügbaren Info-​Center Stopp gemacht. Kurz nach der Grenze von Virginia zu North Carolina liegt direkt an der Straße das Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, eingebettet in grüné Natur.
Wie immer große und ausreichende Parkplätze. Das Welcome Center selber ist nicht so groß wie häufig anderswo, bietet aber alle erdenkliche Informationen und Auskünfte und selbstverständlich gepflegte Restrooms. Und wie fast immer sind auch hier die Ranger hinter den Tresen überaus freundlich, hilfsbereit und geben gerne Tipps und Empfehlungen.
Im direkten Umfeld des Centers gibt es diverse Trails und damit Wandermöglichkeiten. Etwas überraschend erblickt man auch einige (Segel-)Schiffe, denn direkt am Center verläuft ein Kanal (von wo nach wo auch immer).
Erfrischt, erholt und mit viel Info-​Material fuhren wir weiter gen Süden.
Place rating: 3
Quincy, MA
Helpful folks. Interesting retired logger locomotive. Bathrooms. Saw no such equivalent in Virginia.
Place rating: 4
Suffolk, VA
The visitor’s center has some interesting items to look at and this is where you can get a pass to drive to the lake.
Place rating: 3
Chesapeake, VA
Decided to go for a drive down 17 this last weekend and stumbled upon this rest area that was also the welcome center and part of the Park… It is very pretty here. Nice tables and walking paths. Also a hiking path and area for dogs. Wild flower fields and boat access as well.
Place rating: 5
Richmond, VA
With all the different entrances to the Dismal swamp, I find it must be best to sum it up on one review page. I took a class from tidewater community college called «Dismal Swamp Flora and Fauna» This was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. It offers unique views of the park and the wildlife within.
We took a canoe trip here, through the Spanish moss covered dark and eerie swamp waters. The cypress knees jetting from the water give it such a unique setting and it should not be missed by any local nature lovers.
Then we had a nice hike on the Jericho Ditch side, which is home to unique brackish water environment. I nearly stepped on a Red Bellied Water Snake, and the ditch is home to some Otters. Otters are always worth the hike.
Place rating: 4
Englewood, CO
I went here while visiting to go and take some nature photos. When I arrived I went into the visitors center to just ask where would be the best place to take some photos. After asking and getting my answer the very nice lady behind the counter says «Do you want to borrow a bike?»
Me: Like to use? yeah sure how much?
Lady: Oh Nothing just return it when your done.
Me: What? (Whispering) it is stolen? (cause that is the only reason someone hands you a bicycle for free to use where I come from.)
Lady; No silly! go have fun, see you later.
So in the end I went in for a brochure and walked out with the cutest little blue bike I ever used. I rode around on it for an hour or two just cause I could and haven’t ridden a bike in ages. Now you have to keep in on the trail is their only request. But I though this was the most spectacular thing ever. So nice. I got some really nice pictures out of it.
Only downfalls where that part of the trail was next to the highway (big trucks yuck) and the mosquito’s, which the lady told me where 10x’s worse since that last hurricane had rolled through about 2 months prior. So take mosquito’s spray and you’ll be good.
Love this place, I am defiantly going back if only to ride a bike again.
Place rating: 5
Twin Cities, MN
This welcome center greeted us as we crossed from Virginia into North Carolina. We were tired from driving, so dismal swamp seemed to capture the zeitgiest and we chuckled about this unusual welcome to North Carolina.
The visitor center wasn’t dismal at all, however, and it was a summer night so there were a great many croaks and chirps from the swamps and canals that was music to our ears. Walked around a little. Would like to go back to see more of this state natural area and explore the Atlantic lowlands.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
The most important thing I learned during my visit with Pops was that you can boat from NY to FL without ever having to hit the open seas. You can do the whole trip with canals and lakes and rivers and such. It’s not quick, but for a seasick pirate like myself, this sounds like an adventure to be undertaken.
You have to love a place called The Great Dismal Swamp. (Those folks in VA believe in literal names!) The Welcome Center is less than dismal. They feature clean bathrooms, a tidy water fountain, very eager volunteers, and all the pamphlets about local attractions you’d want. (Note: Only 7 per family, adults only.)