Straddling the border between North Carolina and Virginia, the Great Dismal Swamp is a vast, mysterious wilderness that has intrigued explorers and naturalists for centuries. Encompassing more than 112,000 acres, it stands as the largest remaining swamp in the Eastern United States. This biodiverse haven is home to an array of wildlife, including black bears, river otters and 200-plus species of birds.
At its heart lies Lake Drummond, a 3,100-acre natural lake shrouded in local legends and folklore. Visitors can delve into this enigmatic landscape via Dismal Swamp State Park, which offers hiking and biking trails, as well as canoeing and kayaking opportunities along the historic Dismal Swamp Canal — the oldest continually operating man-made canal in the United States. The park also features a visitor center with exhibits detailing the swamp's ecology and distinctive history, including its role as a sanctuary for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad.
From quiet kayaks and canoes to historic sailboats and modern cruisers, Dismal Swamp State Park’s waterways welcome all who navigate its mysterious, storied passages. Whether you're drifting through mirror-like waters or cruising the famed canal, every vessel carries a new chapter of exploration.
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Kate Medley
All Aboard The Swamp Express
The Dismal Swamp Express takes visitors deeper into the park’s untamed beauty, rolling past dense forests, rare wildlife, and wetlands teeming with life. This guided wagon ride offers a front-row seat to landscapes and creatures that few get to see on foot.
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Golden Leaves on Still Waters
Dismal Swamp State Park in fall is anything but dismal – fiery foliage reflects on glassy waters, wildlife stirs in the crisp air and the trails come alive with autumn’s glow.
Peaceful Paddling
Reflections of the Dismal Deep
Kayaking through Dismal Swamp State Park offers a peaceful, up-close look at its untouched wilderness, where mirrored waters reflect towering cypress trees and wildlife thrives along the shore. Bring binoculars for bird-watching, start early for the calmest conditions and keep an eye out for history hidden in the trees.
