Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia.
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast forested wetland that once covered more than one million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Formal protection of this resource began in 1973, when the Union Camp Corporation (a local forest products company) donated 49,097acres to The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy conveyed the donated land to the federal government, which, combined with additionally purchased land, was used to establish the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. The refuge's conservation priority endeavors to restore the biological diversity of the swamp ecosystem through hydrological restoration, forest management, and fire management. The refuge is home to over 200 species of birds, nearly 100 species of butterflies and skippers, many turtles, numerous white-tailed deer, bobcats, otters, and one of the largest black bear populations on the east coast. Special designations for the refuge include:
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Nearby Activities
- Auto Touring
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Educational Programs
- Environmental Education
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Interpretive Programs
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Wildlife Viewing
Directions
The refuge's trailheads are located along White Marsh Road- Route 642, in Suffolk, Virginia. From Interstate-664, take exit-13A toward Suffolk. Follow Route 58 West to the Downtown Suffolk exit. Follow Business 58 West to the first traffic light. Turn left onto Route 337- East Washington Street. Follow East Washington Street to the White Marsh Road intersection. Turn left onto White Marsh Road and follow to the Jericho Ditch(0.9 miles) and Washington Ditch (4.4 miles) entrances. The refuge office is located on Desert Road in Suffolk, Virginia. Follow White Marsh Road to the intersection of Desert Road. Turn left and follow Desert Road, approximately 1.6 miles. Refuge headquarters is on the left.
