Depiction of the Great Dismal Swamp by Thomas Moran in Slave Hunt
Historic Site

Great Dismal Swamp

Located just south of the Chesapeake Bay, this "uninhabitable" Great Dismal Swamp was home to thousands of Native Americans and Maroons--self-emancipated slaves--throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

  • Parking
  • Pet Friendly

Know Before You Go

The Great Dismal Swamp is a National Natural Landmark as of 1973, the area is now managed jointly by the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and North Carolina State Parks. It is recommended that one consults a map of the site prior to visiting due to the size of the refuge.

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