Great Dismal Swamp Chesapeake VA

 

One of the benefits of living in Chesapeake is having easy access to the Great Dismal Swamp. It is a rich and diverse ecosystem that has unique features not found in any other park or refuge in the region. It is easily accessible and there are trails for hiking and biking, as well as boat ramps to explore in the canals by canoe or kayak. The Dismal Swamp Canal is an alternative route for the Intracoastal Waterway that connects the Chesapeake Bay with the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. Those who are truly adventurous can travel the canals to Lake Drummond, a curious lake that sits at the center of the refuge.

 

Unique Opportunities

 

The land for the Great Dismal Swamp has been donated to the United States Forestry Department for preservation, which means there are several ways for your family to explore it. A few bikes, canoes, and kayaks, are available through the park system, but if you and your family want to explore, it would be a good idea to bring your own equipment. If you are nature enthusiasts or outdoor adventurers and need a new vehicle for your gear, you should visit your Chesapeake Mazda dealership, Cavalier Mazda, at 1552 S. Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Access to the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is only a few miles south of the dealership, just off route 17.

 

The Long History of the Swamp

 

Geologists say the area and the unique features that created the Swamp occurred during the last shift in Continental Shelf. The large body of water in the center of the Swamp was discovered by the first Governor of North Carolina, William Drummond, in 1665 and bears his name. In 1728, William Byrd II founder of the city of Richmond, explored the area while surveying the border between Virginia and North Carolina and is credited with naming it the Great Dismal Swamp.

 

George Washington was involved with a company in the 1700's that sought to drain the Swamp and convert it to farmland, but decided to focus on harvesting the lumber instead. In the years leading up to, and during the Civil War, the Swamp was home to a large number of escaped slaves, who hid in the dense park. It became a key stop on the Underground Railroad and is still recognized as a key historical site in the nation's history of civil rights.

 

Modern Use

 

By 1950, the timber had been largely cleared and the land was given to the government. Through wise conservation and management, the Great Dismal Swamp has grown back to provide a habitat and wetland for a vast collection of wild life species. Trails have been made and preserved so your family can explore the same wildlife area as some historic Americans. A system of canals in the swamp gives people a chance to explore the deepest sections of the 22 square miles of the park's forest, wetlands, and 112,000 acres of wildlife refuge.

 

Lake Drummond

 

Lake Drummond measures more than 3,000 acres at the center of the swamp and is one of only two natural lakes in the state. It is only accessible by boat from the east on the Dismal Swamp Canal, but there is an auto tour trail accessible with a permit on the west side. The ancient cypress trees that once stood here and peat soil is very acidic, which tints the water brown, but prevents most bacteria growth, so it is remarkably clean and clear. There is always something new for your family to see on a trip to the Swamp.

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