The Dismal Swamp Canal and the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal form alternate
routes along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) between the Chesapeake
Bay and Albemarle Sound. The AIWW provides pleasure boaters and commercial
shippers with a protected inland channel between Norfolk, Virginia and Miami,
Florida. The history of these two canals, which contain the only locks along
the AIWW, paints a vivid picture of the development of transportation that
goes back over 200 years. Boating and fishing are allowed at Lake Drummond in
the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge.

The Dismal Swamp Canal and the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal form alternate routes along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) between the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound.  The AIWW provides pleasure boaters and commercial shippers with a protected inland channel between Norfolk, Virginia and Miami, Florida.  The history of these two canals, which contain the only locks along the AIWW, paints a vivid picture of the development of transportation that goes back over 200 years.  Boating and fishing are allowed at Lake Drummond in the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge.

Washington Monuument from Potomac

Washington Monument from the WWII Memorial

Dismal Swamp Canal

Bird's eye view of the campground

A - Read Loop - (103-136)

B - Collier Loop - (66-99, 101, 102)

Cabins

C - Wingfield Loop - (137-149, 151-154)

D - Percy Loop - (155-165)

E - Gosnold Loop Group - (44-65)

F - Gosnold Loop - (32-43)

G - Archer Loop - (166-186, 188-205)

H - Kendall Loop - (1-5, 7-31)

Shelter

Yurts

Bird's eye view of the park

First Landing State Park

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 designations
  * National Parks Services National Natural Landmark
  * Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site
  * Virginia Birding Trail

  
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<table><tbody><tr><td>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:<ul><li>Virginia and Globally Important Bird Area designations</li><li>National Parks Services National Natural Landmark</li><li>Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site</li><li>Virginia Birding Trail</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to protect and
provide habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl, or ducks, geese and
swans. The refuge encompasses a variety of habitats including beach, dunes,
shrub-scrub, freshwater wetlands and woodlands. The primary unit of the
wildlife refuge sits a thin strip of barrier island coastline typical of the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Other areas of the refuge include islands in Back
Bay and upland areas on the west bank of the bay, including a public kayak
launch and fishing site at the end of Horn Point Road (open April - October).

Thousands of tundra swans, snow and Canada geese and a large variety of ducks
visit the refuge during the fall/winter migration. Refuge waterfowl
populations usually peak during December and January. The refuge also provides
habitat for other wildlife, including such threatened and endangered species
as the loggerhead sea turtle, and recently recovered species like the brown
pelican and bald eagle.

In addition to providing habitat for migratory birds and wildlife, Back Bay
Refuge provides over eight miles of scenic trails, a Visitor Center,
interpretive programming and, with advance scheduling, environmental education
opportunities. Popular outdoor recreation activities at the refuge include
hiking, biking, freshwater fishing, surf fishing, kayaking/canoeing, wildlife
photography and wildlife observation.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl, or ducks, geese and swans. The refuge encompasses a variety of habitats including beach, dunes, shrub-scrub, freshwater wetlands and woodlands. The primary unit of the wildlife refuge sits a thin strip of barrier island coastline typical of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Other areas of the refuge include islands in Back Bay and upland areas on the west bank of the bay, including a public kayak launch and fishing site at the end of Horn Point Road (open April - October).Thousands of tundra swans, snow and Canada geese and a large variety of ducks visit the refuge during the fall/winter migration. Refuge waterfowl populations usually peak during December and January. The refuge also provides habitat for other wildlife, including such threatened and endangered species as the loggerhead sea turtle, and recently recovered species like the brown pelican and bald eagle.In addition to providing habitat for migratory birds and wildlife, Back Bay Refuge provides over eight miles of scenic trails, a Visitor Center, interpretive programming and, with advance scheduling, environmental education opportunities. Popular outdoor recreation activities at the refuge include hiking, biking, freshwater fishing, surf fishing, kayaking/canoeing, wildlife photography and wildlife observation.

Sunset on the bay at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Gold and orange sunset over water. Marsh vegetation and breakwater rocks stand in front of the photgrapher with the sunset on the horizon. The sky is cloudy, with clouds changing color from gold to grayish blue throughout the image.

The West or East Dike Trail are open April 1 - October 31 for hiking and biking through the wildlife refuge.

A gravel road cuts between cut grass and vegetation. White clouds cover the sky. A narrow body of water parallels the road on the left.

Two red kayaks float on calm blue water. A line of breakwater rocks line the foreground, with green brown vegetation and trees in the background.

A ghost crab on the Seaside Trail at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

A white and yellow ghost crab with black eyes stands on the edge of a blue trail mat and sand.

Ospreys nest on platforms around Back Bay and are a common sight at the wildlife refuge during the spring and summer months.

A brown and white osprey, or sea hawk, flares its wings as it lands on a nesting platform. The osprey holds a fish in its talons.

Marsh rabbits are one of hundreds of species of wildlife that rely on the habitats of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

A small rabbit sits in bright green grass with a piece of grass sticking out of its mouth.

Tram tours are offered at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and neighboring False Cape State Park throughout the year.

A large, white and blue open-air vehicle sits on a gravel road. Passengers point to something out of view of the photo. Tall trees stand behind the vehicle.

A surf fisherman enjoys an early morning on the beach at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

A fisherman stands on the beach with his pole. A beach chair and cooler are by his side. The sun rises over the ocean and a piece of dune vegetation covers slices through the foreground of the image.

Wintering swans and ducks swim in a managed wetland impoundment at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The wildlife refuge was established in 1938 for wintering waterfowl.

Many large white tundra swans and a few small dark ducks swim in the water. Brown marsh vegetation and shrubby trees are in the background.

A cottonmouth snake swims at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Reptiles and amphibians are commonly seen in warm weather at the wildlife refuge.

A yellow gold snake with dark bands swims with its body on top of the water. Short green vegetation and brown leaves scatter the water and edge of the body of water.

Participants in a winter birding program observe ducks and swans at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

About a dozen people dressed in warm weather gear stand on a viewing platform over the water. Many look through binoculars at something in the water.

The beach at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Dismal Swamp Canal

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

First Landing State Park

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge