Have you run it?
Compared to much of the ICW, not so dismal, especially with spring fowers or fall colors.
Like it 10X better than the Virginia cut....or more.
Greetings,
Ms. BB. "Going hundreds of miles straight on it...." The ONLY part of the ICW we've transited that's been remotely close to straight is the Dismal Swamp Canal. Granted, the ICW is slow but quite interesting none-the-less.
If you travel at 6 kts or so, the Dismal Swamp route is no slower than the Virginia Cut route. You can make Elizabeth City to Portsmouth in one day, but it might be nicer to stop at the visitor center for a night about halfway. There is a small but nice state museum across the canal from the visitor center.
David
Wifey B: I may have a scheme for sometime. Half of us take the RIB and go Dismal, the other half go around and meet us in Chesapeake. Then the next day reverse. Repeat if necessary.
I don't think you will enjoy the swamp. It's not a race.
My best trip using the Dismal Swamp Canal took three nights..... stop hike, kayak, spend a few hours enjoying the experience. It's not for everyone..... No tiki bars, no resort spa, no fine restaurants in the swamp
Hmmmm....
Pretty sure its open all year round except maintenance closures in the dead of winter.
P For the last 15 years or so they close it every summer between South Mills NC and the locks at Deep Creek VA because we don't get enough rainfall to support the water they loose when opening it so mostly all summer it's closed.
Yep That's about the time every year they reopen it.
I have done the canal 4 times 1 spring, 1 summer, and 2 falls. The 1 fall it rained the entire time. Still very much enjoy it. The only problem we've had is the paravanes outriggers being up have a spread of 16', so pulled down some leaves, branches etc. on the boat deck. South of south mills lock is also a neat stretch.
Usually overnighted Elizabeth city, 3 times overnighted atvisitor center in canal, once at "Elizabeth's dock" by north lock. So really 2-3 days all the way from/to Albemarle -Norfolk.
The entire canal is a no wake zone, something to keep in mind if planning on a RIB transit.