Scenic Drives

Green Swamp Byway - Coastal Scenic Drives

Begin following the Green Swamp Byway at its southern end, one-half mile north of Supply in Brunswick County on N.C. 211 North. At more than 140 square miles, Green Swamp is composed of peat and muck timberland because it has little surface water and extensive tree farms. In 1795, the state of North Carolina granted more than 170,000 acres of this land to three businessmen who used the swamp for cutting lumber and peat.

An isolated community named Crusoe Island is located on the edge of the vast swamp. Political refugees from French Haiti founded Crusoe Island in 1806. Today, the swamplands are owned by several large pulp and paper companies.

Traveling north from Supply on N.C. 211, cross the Royal Oak Swamp after two miles. Royal Oak Swamp is fed by the Green Swamp and flows into the Lockwoods Folly River. From the intersection of N.C. 211 and Little Macedonia Road (S.R. 1343/1448), drive through Green Swamp for the next 23 miles to Bolton. At the Brunswick/Columbus County line, cross Clear Branch Creek. Crusoe Island lies 15 miles southwest of the county line.

The byway passes near Lake Waccamaw State Park near Bolton in Columbus County. Lake Waccamaw, like other nearby lakes, was formed by ancient meteor showers. The park offers an abundance of recreational opportunities and is an easy side trip. The Green Swamp drains into Lake Waccamaw, which was named around 1733 for a local American Indian tribe. Columbus County is named in honor of Christopher Columbus.

After passing Lake Waccamaw, continue to Bolton. Settled in 1889, Bolton was named for a lumber company that once operated in the area. Farther north on N.C. 211 the byway passes through the Friar Swamp, which feeds into Lake Waccamaw. Continue into Bladen County through large pine forests, planted for pulp and paper use, toward Bladenboro. About three miles north of the county line, the road turns and parallels the CSX railroad line.

From here, it is 12 miles to Clarkton, a community incorporated in 1901, which has also been called Brown Marsh Station and Dalton. The byway ends at the intersection of N.C. 211 and N.C. 242 east of Bladenboro, eight miles northwest of Clarkton.

Length: 53 miles
Driving Time: 1 hours
Counties: Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen

courtesy of NC Department of Transportation

added: September 15, 2009

updated: September 25, 2009