No two landscapes in Virginia are exactly alike. The proof lies in the breathtaking differences between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, or the rolling hills of the Piedmont and the swampy terrain of Virginia’s incredible marshlands. Today, we’ll take you to a place that seems like something conjured from a dream: the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Shared between Virginia and North Carolina, this otherworldly landscape features a treasure trove of natural attractions like bald cypress trees, forested wetlands, and beautiful creatures who call this coastal plains region home. Here’s more on what you can expect from your visit to this magnificent Virginia landmark.
The landscape that now holds the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge once covered an area of one million acres in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.
management / TripAdvisor
In the 1970s, 49,000 acres were donated to the Nature Conservancy, which then allocated management to the federal government, who had the resources to start the refuge.
Momtoboyz / TripAdvisor
By all measures, the Great Dismal Swamp is an extraordinary place that demands both protection and admiration. The delicate ecosystem and diverse array of animal and plant life make the refuge an indelible resource.
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The swamp is also steeped in important and complicated history. Native Americans lived in the area for thousands of years before European settlement, as made apparent by the tools and relics found by archeologists.
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Prior to the Civil War, refugee slaves hid within the swamps. While conditions were harsh in this wilderness, they were certainly better than those of slavery, and it’s estimated that there were thousands of individuals living here between the 1700s and 1800s.
Robert B. / TripAdvisor
In fact, this historical premise is what inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1856 novel Dred: A Tale of the Dismal Swamp.
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One of the crown jewels of the refuge is Lake Drummond, which is the larger of Virginia’s two freshwater lakes. Bald cypress trees and tupelo gum grow happily in this ecosystem and are positively fascinating to see.
management / TripAdvisor
Despite two significant fires in 2008 and 2011, the hardwood forest is steadily regrowing near the marsh, which you can explore via a network of trails.
cheryl h / TripAdvisor So whether you’re intrigued by the history, wildlife, the landscape, or perhaps all of it, you’ll be grateful to have experienced this Virginia treasure.
Have you seen the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge before? What did you explore there? We’d love to hear all about your experiences — feel free to leave a comment below! Looking for more beautiful places in Virginia to explore? Check out our list of breathtaking natural attractions hiding in Virginia.
management / TripAdvisor
Momtoboyz / TripAdvisor
cheryl h / TripAdvisor
zaigee / flickr
Robert B. / TripAdvisor
D P / TripAdvisor
So whether you’re intrigued by the history, wildlife, the landscape, or perhaps all of it, you’ll be grateful to have experienced this Virginia treasure.
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Address: Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, 3100 Desert Rd, Suffolk, VA 23434, USA
