I'm not sure I understand the allure of this trail, in fact, I'm pretty sure I don't understand the allure of this trail. The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is basically a flat paved 8.3 miles out / 8.3 miles back, road in Chesapeake, VA.
Amble parking is available at the trailhead and there are restrooms and picnic tables in the area. I was traveling with a friend and felt relatively safe, even with a few odd characters lurking outside the bathrooms.
The trail itself was once the VA State Route 17, and as a result is a flat straight two-lane paved surface, now repurposed as a multi-use trail.
There is a small section just past the parking lot that allows you to view the swamp and a crazy large bear carving (affectionally named Chessie), which I'm sure would be a big hit with kids. In fact this would be a perfect place to come ride or walk with young children. As an adult, however, it proved to be a long drive for a short, lackluster trail.
Wildlife wise, we did see three snakes, (one dead), but that's about it. On a chilly spring day, bugs were not a problem, but I think it's safe to assume that riding on a hot summer day, this would be a different story. (It is a swamp after all!) We also encountered very few people - maybe a half dozen total. (Yet again, I assume this would change with a warm weather. weekend.)
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