Dismal Swamp State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules

Places › Dismal Swamp State Park

Dismal Swamp State Park is a North Carolina state park in South Mills, Camden County, in our Eastern Plain & Inner Banks region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.

• AdmissionFree day usesome services cost extra
• HoursCloses 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.Opens 8 a.m., by month
• ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
• DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below

About Dismal Swamp State Park

This park on the Virginia border opens onto the Great Dismal Swamp, the largest swamp left in the eastern United States. Its 22-mile canal is a paddling route, and the area's history ties to George Washington, the Underground Railroad and Prohibition.

Dismal Swamp State Park Hours

The gate closes between 4:30 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 5:30 p.m. (Mar to Oct). It opens 8 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:

• Visitor Center: Open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The park is closed on Christmas Day.
• The park is open during all other holidays.

Admission and Fees

There are no fees required to access Dismal Swamp State Park for day use, except for boat rentals. Fees are also charged certain event permits and facility reservations.

Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.

Dogs and Strollers

• Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park, except they are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
• Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (252-771-6593) before you go.

Directions and Contact

• Address: 2294 U.S. 17 N., South Mills, NC 27976
• Phone: 252-771-6593
• Map point: 36.50570,-76.35510. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the South Mills town point (U.S. Census) and of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
• Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/dismal-swamp-state-park

State Parks Near Dismal Swamp State Park

What We Could Not Verify

• Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
• Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.

Sources

1. Dismal Swamp State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
2. NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
3. OpenStreetMap (map point check)

Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.