About Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
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:Virginia and Globally Important Bird Area designationsNational Parks Services National Natural LandmarkUnderground Railroad Network to Freedom siteVirginia Birding Trail
How to Get There
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.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1406) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge?
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…
How do I contact Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 757-986-3705 or email: GreatDismalSwamp@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
