3700 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake, VA 23322, USA
Ballahack Boat Ramp is located at 3700 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail in Chesapeake, Virginia, providing access to the Dismal Swamp Canal.
No official hours are posted for this ramp, and there's no listed information on permits or launch fees, so boaters should plan to check conditions on arrival.
The site includes a wheelchair accessible parking lot. Beyond that, specific details on the number of ramp lanes, docks, or restroom facilities aren't published. GPS coordinates are 36.6044°N, -76.3815°W.
The ramp sits along the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, one of the oldest continually operating man-made canals in the United States, offering a quiet, tree-lined waterway connecting to the broader Chesapeake region's inland water routes. Paddlers and small boat owners often use this stretch for scenic, slow-paced trips through the swamp's wooded corridor.
Best suited for: Kayakers, canoeists, and small boat owners looking for a calm, scenic paddle through a historic canal rather than open-water boating.
What visitors say
Mostly positiveBallahack Boat Ramp offers free access to Feeder Ditch and Lake Drummond with convenient facilities including ample parking for cars and trailers, picnic tables, trash cans, and a port-a-potty. The ramp accommodates various boat types and provides easy access to scenic paddling routes, with a 4-mile paddle to Lake Drummond Campground. The setting is peaceful and well-maintained, though visitors should be prepared for carpenter bees and mosquitoes in the area.
Based on 18 Google reviews
Ramp details
Amenities & accessibility