Despite the name, the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia and North Carolina is a beautiful wetlands and wildlife refuge that covers 112,000 acres. It is the largest remaining piece of a habitat that once filled southeastern Virginia. Hampton Roads residents and vacationers from across America come to the Great Dismal Swamp to enjoy this unique ecosystem and have fun doing all kinds of activities like these.
Hiking and Biking
The Great Dismal Swamp has more than 80 miles of hiking and biking trails, including dirt, gravel, and boardwalk paths. The trails start at the five entry points to the refuge, but they mostly stick to the northern side of the park. If hiking is too slow or too tiring but you don’t own a bicycle, you can rent one at a shop before you enter. However, you should remember that going off the paths is not allowed, for safety reasons and to keep the wildlife of the refuge safe from human activity.
Drive to Lake Drummond
If you want to experience the Great Dismal Swamp from the comfort and security of your vehicle, or if you don’t have enough time to hike or bike the miles of trails between the Railroad Ditch entrance and Lake Drummond, you can get a driving permit from the ranger station and go on a driving tour of the refuge. The lake’s water is very brown but also surprisingly pure thanks to the way peat soil leaches its color into the lake water, making it a very unusual sight.
Watch the Wildlife
The wetlands of southeastern Virginia are home to hundreds of species of wildlife, and you have a good chance of seeing something even if you never stray from the beaten path. Deer, coyotes, bobcats, otters, and black bears call the Great Dismal Swamp home, and birdwatchers have identified over 200 species that either nest in the swamp full-time or move through during the annual migrations. If you prefer butterflies, you can find over 80 species growing there or passing through the area during summer.
Hunting and Fishing
Hunting days and permits are limited in the Great Dismal Swamp, but if the population is high for white-tail deer or black bears, the rangers open hunting season for a week or two in October and November. You can also take a non-powered boat on Lake Drummond either by driving it in from the west or paddling down the canal to the east. If you have a Virginia freshwater fishing license, you can drop your line in the lake to fish for crappie, yellow perch, flier, chain pickerel, and catfish.
With so much land to explore and so many animal species to discover, the Great Dismal Swamp is a fun place for the thousands of visitors who come through every year. Just make sure you know the rules before you go and stick with them during your visit, because keeping the swamp clean ensures that it will still be there when you want to bring along your kids and your grandkids.
Image via Flickr by deveion acker
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