Reviews of Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Tourist Attraction)

Michelle Ivey

Great place to ride your bike. I have only seen bears crossing in predawn hours. Snakes? Seen quite a few. No problem.

Josh Thompson

Great place for a walk, bike, run. Lots of trail space. Beautiful scenery.

Oliver Patrick

What a beautiful treasure tucked away in southeastern Virginia! I feel incredibly blessed to have visited this wildlife refuge. George Washington explored the Great Dismal Swamp in 1763, and the swamp would later go on to boast a significant role in the Underground Railroad. If you’re a Passport to Your National Parks enthusiast, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge has two stamps for your passport- one for the swamp itself and the other paying tribute to the swamp’s connection to the Underground Railroad.

Debbie Winebrenner

I'm sure we'll be back. Wasn't prepared for hiking today, saw some creatures along the drive. Nice that admission is just $5, hope it stays that way. The drive to Drummond lake was long and boring, and the road is barely wide enough for cars coming the other way. Parking is VERY limited. We couldn't figure how if you put a boat in, where would you park the car and trailer?

Donna Hairston

Very nice there all can of old ship's and stuff steam boats loved it

John P

Easy access beautiful scenery. Wear bug repellent.

William Blount Jr

If you love being outside its the perfect place to be .

Lorrie Riddle

Great Natural Treasure with so much Historical significance! We took a narrated bus tour through the Suffolk Visitors Center. What a great job our Narrator Penny did!! She imparted so much history and knowledge of the Swamp.

Robert Dost

There was absolutely nothing there saw no animals no birds nothing

Jason Boushard

Great well maintained bike path.

Matt R

Unexpectedly amazing. Beautiful, huge natural lake.

Dean Whitehurst

Awesome place to bike ride which that deserves 5 stars. There are bugs during warm weather. Alligators have also been known to come up from North Carolina on the Virginia side. Nice place to hike and see Lake Drummond. A place to fly a drone.

Rachel Bulau

Great hiking but most of the trails would be best for bikes. Lots of space, some very long trails, interesting history. The lake is breathtaking. Lots of birdwatching available and lots of tortises hanging out on logs.

Christy Mahon

Went to see birds/ducks, but instead saw a raccoon and a bear... I call that a win!Would be 5 stars, but the lack of parking makes me cringe to think what this place looks like in peak season.

Denise D'Amico

Great place to walk, run, our bike through trail.

Brittany Hamlin

I took my kids to Jr Rangers. They had a blast. I hope they do more activities like this!

momeiify

Everyone needs to go on this very informative tour. So full of important American history that must be experienced, not just read about.

Michael Adams

We went to the West Ditch Trail. It was very easy to walk and had some interesting scenery but wasn't very challenging. It was pretty cold and super peaceful so my wife and I got to chat and walk undisturbed for several hours. Definitely very calm during the winter.

Cristal S

Excellent place to visit if you're in the area. Don't let the name fool you; this place is gorgeous. We had a beautiful time kayaking on the water, and spent the rest of the exploring the magnificent flora and fauna.

Ashley Evans

I wish there was more of a parking area once you drop your canoes or kayaks in the water.

Chip Edwards

It was dismal and it was swampy and it was big, so everything you could hope for in a Great Dismal Swamp. Lots of bugs, but well maintained boardwalk about 2 miles in. But the lake at the end of the road (6 miles in) was beautiful. If your looking for amenities though, not so much.

Kyle Alberti

A great place to walk, run, or ride your bike. Scenery is fantastic.

Hiren Patel

Nice , wonderful , amazing place

Aire Serv of Great Bridge

Shame they shut down the camping areas.

Janice Burkot

Perfect for runners, biking, walking. Family friendly with lots of parking.

Ulysses Saxton

The Great Dismal Swamp is Historic and yet interesting all at the same time. Be careful at night because it can get dark and spooky with the lacknof lights and the plenty of black bears that love the thick trees and that apparently love to swim.

Manij Upadhyay

cool and peaceful

Lorraine Roy

Did a delivery in this area and the people were wonderful. I even got directions from the. Scale. I will look forward to coming back.

james clements

Great place nice cool day

Levera Belfield

It's a ok place to wonder around the woods

Nabeel Ezzat

Went in summer , kayaked to lake Drummond. Took 6 hrs , recommend more time and/or taking a motorboat

Kyla Mahoney

Great place to walk some trails without any crowds. Clean and informative visitors center as well!

Carmen Clark

You can go experience the Great Dismal Swamp by car or boat (from Kayak to larger trawler). It is an awesome experience - absolutely gorgeous. Be sure to stop at the Visitor's Center for lots of great info. If you go in the summer be wary of mosquitos, but it's a swamp. You can drive thru by car or hike on one of the many trails or you can cruise down the swamp by boat. If you go by boat don't miss the Deep Creek Lock. The lockmaster, Robert Peal, knows all the historical info about the area. He also has a huge collection of conch shells and will show you how to play beautiful music from a conch shell. Don't miss this hidden gem!

James Credle

Peace and quiet! Wildlife galore!

Norman Campbell

Besides the biting flies, it's a nice place to visit while in Virginia Beach.

Rosanna Brothers

My girls and enjoyed a nice one mile walk with our dog. I'd love to come out and run more of the trail myself

Michael Valdivielso

Lots of history and when I was there had a display from the not yet open African-American Museum. Escaped slaves use to hide within the Swamp from their owners and even traded with slaves on the plantations. Also a few wonderful nature exhibits. And when I was there not crowded at all. I don't think many people even know this place exists! Watch out for wild animals!

Van Dora Williams

Beautiful. Can bike and hike. Peaceful.

Allison Taylor

Over all great place love it

Joseph Hammer

Great place to ride your bike for a good 12 mile ride. Just a straight and smooth road path.

Julia Bardelli

Super beautiful place, a lot of trails and wildlife to see.

Gregg Weber

Beautiful place

Hog

Ain't been there, phone thinks because I drove by, I stopped there. It's a swamp, mud snakes birds and smells bad

dom g

It was a really long walk but once we got to lake Drummond the view was worth it.

Aprille Rayne

We enjoyed driving through and walking a bit. The horse flies, deer flies and mosquitoes were INSANE on the trails going through the swamp, so I can't recommend that walk this time of year. Insect repellent was useless. We saw a lot of turtles, a few frogs, skinks, and water snakes. It was very beautiful and probably very enjoyable if the pests weren't so annoying.

Kara Mitchell

Took my boys here when they were so young. Great memories. Great place to go and see. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy all they have to offer. Kids can play on playground equipment and more! Many scenic areas to hold a photo session too!

James Blount

Have driven the Lake Drummond wildlife drive twice now. Have seen a bear both times.

Jason Waldera

Great stop on our family trip. Staff was awesome at the visitors center

Virginia Glitch

Beautiful and breath taking

Deanna Joy

Well maintained canal trail. Fun informational plaques along the way! Not too mosquito infested in March.

Dennis Cannon

Wet ,hot,and mosquitos everywhere. Weeds so thick you can hardly see .no people I love it

Aaron Cross

Great spot for a 10-20 mi bike ride

Raven D.

Well what can I say it is called the Great Dismal Swamp. It is dismal it is a Trek, but you if you love nature you will go here

Mary Frankland

This is a great place to go with your family and children you can save wildlife and its natural setting the Great Dismal Swamp offers everything from young to old had a great time this is one place I will be returning to time and time again it was bigger than I thought everything in its natural surroundings in Suffolk Virginia

Carl Joseph

Nice place to unwind and get away from city life for a bit.

Brianna Trainer

It is very pretty here. Even the drive was gorgeous. We enjoyed the views and peace of the lake. However, the gravel really needs works. There isnt enough room for 2 cars yet it is a one way. Which is understandable as to why that it. Also I wish there were more obvious signs for the trails. We ended up missing most of them because we didnt know where they were. I will be returning here though. I want to hike it all! Also we got a pretty cool magnet from the interns!

Wade Theus

Great atmosphere and tidewater drive band was outstanding.

Regina Novy

The Great Dismal Swamp is a great place to see and visit nature at its finest. I love seeing the trees,as I am a tree lover.

Brian Coons

I really enjoy coming to the Great Dismal Swamp Canal Trail! Especially during the fall as there are far fewer people the trail. I like to go there during the day can I go for a nice long quiet walk. I usually start down near the boat ramp then and walk North... Far fewer people and up down at that end! Walking or riding the trail during the Spring and Summer also has it benefits as there is plenty of Flora and Fauna to enjoy

Brian Reichelderfer

Has a good size park and nature trails , you can go fishing and crabbing and it's normally quite unless there is a bday party.

Glenn Watt

A beautiful and wonderful landscape filled with thousands of untold stories of escaped slaves. Story has it that settlers were frightened of the swamp and what dangers it may have held. But it was also vast area, prior to eventually being logged, that was a way-station and home to people escaping slavery. There are miles of gorgeous walking trails there now and an auto road to Lake Drummond, a wide and shallow lake which is also the second largest lake in Virginia. Filled with wildlife and sights of all kinds, the Great Dismal Swamp is a historic gem and a must-see for nature lovers.

Sonyah

A must visit! Wonderful Pathways. Amazing history.

Ron Hawkins

Nice place to walk along way. And they have benches every so often. You and also fish.

Lynn Pyle

We saw only reptiles and insects as far as wildlife went, but the area is very pretty. We heard birds, mostly Cardinals, but the trees are thick and it was difficult to see them. Lake Drummond, at the end of the road through the refuge, is beautiful!

Ashley Edens

Nice park. The people who work there are nice and the park is well maintained. There's a paved area, boardwalk, canoe launch and a long dirt path that you can bike on. Picnic tables are available as well.

Philip W.

Interesting fungal finds here

Katherine Alvarez

I have wanted to see Lake Drummond my entire life. Although I live within 150 miles, I waited until I was 65 to make it there. I was not disappointed. I made the 6 mi. drive through the refuge to get to the lake and enjoyed every bit of it. It was even fun trying to pay my fee and get my pass at the self-service station near the entrance. I was able to jump out, get the info, jump back in and fill it out and then jump out again and deposit it without letting a single one of the million yellow flies get in my van! (I visited in late May). No problem at Lake Drummond because of the open space and breeze.

Taylor Northcott

The place is absolutely beautiful

Marmaduke Simms

Great place to take bike ride solid street concrete no traffic between streets for 8 mile stretch until end. Open at sunrise to sunset.

Ricky Watkins Sr

Beautiful scenery. Had a great time kayaking.

Annette Weber-Stein

Beautiful, peaceful area. I felt a profound sadness after reading the history of the swamp. I think it's wonderful that it is preserved for me to remember our past and heal.

JohnF Corrigan

Beautiful all purpose paved and wide trail.

donna snyder

Indescribably beautiful. Abundant wildlife - deer, bear, birds, butterflies. A real national treasure

Huniie Z

I love this place it's great history and nature walks

Roger Robertson

Went for a bike ride with my family...had a great time.

Matthew Merchant

Awesome place to skate and ride bikes. My kids miss it.

Anthony Findley

It's very lovely and peaceful! Long walks. The history is pretty cool.

Ryan Palmer

Great place for a walk, jog, run, bike or just communing with nature. A lot of shaded area to keep you out of the sun and there are benches here and there to sit for a bit.

Ryan Trickel

You have to hike to the lake. It's absolutely beautiful.

Donna English

Nature at its best, plus lots of history. You can learn about George Washington as well as the underground railroad. Only negative is the bugs! Make sure to bring bug spray!

Charlene Christopher

It's great to see nature at its finest and the swamp has a lot to offer.

Mary Fabian

This is a very off the beaten path kind of adventure. We went on the west entrance that goes to the lake. There really aren't a lot of waking trails, it's mostly a slow drive through experience. The road is well maintained but very narrow - coming across another car can be tricky, but on the plus side that only happened twice during our two hours there! There are a few well maintained walking trails that are clearly marked and have decent places to park your car. We got out a couple of times, the most memorable being the walk to see the 800 year old bald cypress! Lake Drummond is also very cool and marks the end of the road we went in on. There is no loop so you have to backtrack and return by the same road you came in on. All in all, very cool.

Alicia Baggieri

NOT as dismal as I wanted... :(

Russell Starks

Had a picnic here. Walked a few of the shirt trails. Nice place for a short visit but not much hiking, unless you like waking in a swamp or on a dirt road.

Melissa Edwards

This July I went down to Virginia for the week. I saw Busch Gardens and Jamestown. I went to Virgina Beach, and went on a Navy Destroyer at Norfolk Naval Base. But on Wednesday I went to Great Dismal Swamp National Widlife Refuge. Though it was a bit humid and buggy, I tell ya it is the best place I have been in a long while. The trees aren't really that big but their big enough to invoke that sense of the primordial. There are lots of big birds, and occasionally there is some rustling in the bushes next to the trail :). Once you get to Lake Drummond your jaw will just drop. Its indescribable. Go, you'll love it.

Dawn Carr

One of my favorite places to get away from the business of life.

teresa froemel

Did not go here ...only drove thru the area

Donna Collins

It tranquilize tranquil nice walk. Can hear river

Jack Daniels

Clean and secluded.

Dargon

Beautiful place to visit!

David Fortney

Nice bike trail, all paved with partial shade. Restrooms were open April 20th.

Russell Lee Gitlitz

Is there anything I can say better about the G.D.S? No, its beauty makes me speechless

Shaun Milender

Long quiet kayak ride from the canal by hwy 17. Then awesome Cyprus trees in the lake.

Michael Paisley

We have only been to the Eastern side! Great place for a walk, run, or bike ride! Pets welcome but must be on a leash. Friendly people out doing the same as you are. There are 2 main parking areas, North and South end. The trail path is an old highway so its straight and paved. Well maintained and kept clean from trash and debris.

Jitka Kacerova

Such a large refuge! We drove to Drummond Lake, which is quiet and beautiful. We've seen lots of turtles on the way, also vultures, swamp deer, snakes and waterfowl. Your car will get dusty, biting flies are around, so don't forget to bring insect repellent with you. All you need to do is leave 5 dollar bill in an envelope by the entrance. We will definitely come back and explore hiking trails!

Teresa Cowan

Visit Gates House. Wonderful place. Good staff. I hope they can assist me with my dad's needs.

Bri Mini

Walked about 5 miles down Washington Ditch to the Lake. Very peaceful, very clean, beautiful. A few benches but if walking is hard for you I wouldn't suggest. Definitely a good hike. Nice little patio and lookout at the lake front. I would highly suggest biking! This is a great place for it.

Colleen Holmes

Shaded serene paved trail with the Dismal Swamp Canal running alongside

Jonathan Holland

Hector the Travel Squirrel and his fiancee Soyna had a wonderful trip to visit the Great Dismal Swap. Such rich history and an abundance of nature's glory.

Leigh Rice

Love this place....so peaceful

Abdulhakim Bake

Remember to wear long sleeve clothes, there are too much mosquitoes.

Tim Ehrlich

If it's your first time down the ICW don't miss the swamp. Incredible

Phyllis Moran

Too many

Kenton Dawkins

I don't know what you mean I never been to the dismal swamp

Arun Nair

Ideal place for biking, long stretches parallel with canals.Ample parking, haven't explored hiking.

Daniel J. H. McDonald

The best park in the area, by far. Rich in nature and history

Lars Mulford

Have visited here multiple times, normally on a bicycle but this was the first time my cycling fellowship and I loaded up in our minibus and drove out to Lake Drummond. The entire refuge is almost primordial in its beauty, and the serene stillness of Lake Drummond is equal parts eerie and mysterious. Hauntingly beautiful refuge that never gets old, as there's always something new to see.

V. PAUL FARMER

You want get much of a cell signal though

Dan Perkins

Got a person when I called on the phone. The person provided answers to all my questions in a knowledgeable and professional manner. I was treated equally well upon visitation. Truly a powerful natural experience on Lake Drummond and in the swamp. Best nowhere for me to go close to home.

Chris Sanfino

Cypress boardwalk was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately they closed off access to Lake Drummond which we wanted to see...

John Thrush

Nice and quiet walk, run, bike etc. This trail is in Chesapeake not Suffolk

Stephen Brown Sr

Dont know

william weaver

Great place for a nice walk and a few geocaches there as well.

Luisa Capella

One of the beautiful park I love the most, place is quiet just the birds singing away from the noise of the city, great for hiking and walking kids can play around. Perfect!

David Crowley

I don't hate it. I was never there

Samantha Pipkin

Good trial to do many activities

Liz Hengerer

Easy fun place to ride. It's peaceful.

Diane Wishart

Clean and easy navigated path filled with runners, cyclists, walkers, and all ages as well as abilities. It's a heavily utilized resource for exercise yet a peaceful connection to nature. The historical narratives along the path helped me envision the past and educated me on the back breaking sweat and labor endured to make this area a possibility. Although it's development has a horrible story behind it, I was happy to see that credit was given to the slave laborers who endured the horrific conditions to make the area what it is. It reminded me to never forget and never undervalue what we have.

Michael Perrenoud

Has a great campground near by, with a stable. Small cabins, pools and golf. Dep Creek Stables - Chesapeake Campground family owned and operated.

gordo Hudson

Good place to get away.

Michael Luker

Nice quiet place for a walk in the woods/swamp or a clean walk on the board walk for people with smaller children

Rejinath Radhakrishnan

Quite trails with potential for Black Bear sighting

Ethan Pelzel

It was hella lit not gonna lie

Margarita Cordova

Shhhhh so I was there

Ellen Pitt

We walk there almost every weekend. There is a 3/4 board walk at the Washington ditch and a gravel road you can also walk, but the road at the Rail Road ditch is much smoother. You park and walk in and maybe 2 mile down the road there's a boardwalk through a Cypress swamp that's very pretty. We've seen deer, ducks, beaver, bears. Very peaceful. Going out again today.

andrew

Long narrow gravel rd through swamp, to no parking lot next to river. Some trails off the rd to walk on, with no parking next to them to speak of. The NC State park across the border is far better. Kind of disappointed.

Brendan Pope

I have no idea what possessed me to want to pay the Ol' Dismal Swamp a visit as we were a good 45 minutes away then after leaving it would take us an hour to get back to the hotel in VA Beach. Maybe because it was free but more than likely because I was intrigued at something which had dismal in the name or maybe because I was hoping on the off chance to encounter a Black Bear. Who knows?

Shawn M

Nice trail to ride bike or walk.

Angel White

Staff not very helpful. Main trail provided no shade. Not much to see for biking.

Peggy Denson

Hot and bugs

Terry Rogers

A little crowded, but quite and peaceful.

Rob Rol

Another great race with Mettle Events at the Dismal Swamp Stomp! Great people, well-run race venue. We attend every year and are never disappointed.

Brian Welker

Great ride. Road is pretty smooth and nice scenery. Benches along the way if you want to take a break.

Mike Allen

I love going out there just chilling out.

Dee Waterford

The term Dismal is not a misnomer. Although this is a great park with wonderful scenery, do not arrive without plenty of bug repellent, water, and a change of clothes. I lasted all of 30 minutes before I gave up to the humidity and mutant sized mosquitoes.

Denise Scott

Nice place to visit don't want to live thete

Manaleto Jeffery

Calm place for piece of mind

Norman Blackwell

Awesome place for a bike ride, walking, jogging! I ride my bike there often.

debra kowalski

Great place to ride your bike, run or just walk. Shady in the morning and late afternoon. Bring your bug spray.

Sierra Sunshine

Good easy place to run and see wild life!

Yuriy Dorokhov

Good place to visit.

joseph walker

There is a lot of things to do here. Plenty of walking and biking trails . Three miles of paved trails. Twenty miles of dirt pathes. Canoe rentals are offered. You have to use the floating bridge to get to the dirt pathes. Plenty of parking on both ends. Be careful of the wild life and snakes.vending machine are offered.

Yamika Bennett

Beautiful, hidden gem! The girls saw lots of wildlife and Lake Drummond was amazing.

Jack Taylor

Experience needed to hike this land.

Derrick Deschamps

Amazing natural serenity amd a great place to take the family for a nice 2 mile hike

Dragonqueen Darkfire

A great place to see some wildlife, and just enjoy nature.

Jonathan Norris

Hiked the Washington Ditch trail the 5 miles to Lake Drummond. This place is very serene and the solitude is nice. It's a great little escape so close to the city. I got there early and it was just me and nature. I'm giving it 4 stars because it's essentially a straight shot on an overgrown road for 5 miles, so it isn't challenging in any way unless you have trouble walking. The lake itself is beautiful. Highly recommend!

Molly Johnson

Beautiful paved path through dense woods along the canal. Lots of bikers, joggers, and dog walking every day. There is a restroom I haven't used in the middle of the long stretch of parking before the trail. There are a few benches and a picnic table at a clearing less than a mile in. I haven't been past the section where a road joins for a tiny bit.

Craig Cummings

Great place for a walk. While there was a lot of foot traffic in that first mile, I'm looking to find out how much more secluded it gets 2 or 3 miles in. Beautiful scenery though, nice and open, quiet.

JSabourin

The path was very long and boring, not much changed the entire time I was walking, and the payoff wasn't worth it. However, if you bring a bike, or a few friends who enjoy a long walk you'll probably enjoy your time there more than I did.

John King

I liked the well done visitor center. I suggest visiting it when you are there. Everyone was helpful and polite. Nice boardwalked trails available. My 7 year old and I had a great time. We will certainly be back with the rest of the family.

Gurnzy Coburg

LOVE IT!!!! The Owl Prowls, the gazebo down the Jericho Ditch, the Boardwalk down the Washington Ditch, the pier down at Lake Drummond, the headquarters area and people - one word, AWESOME!!!!

Becky Lutz

Very interesting. We did the auto tour road walked on the Cypress Trail, and drove out to Lake Drummond. We saw some wildlife and enjoyed looking at this type of environment. We didn't go to the visitor center, but liked everything we saw. Definitely wear your bug repellent!

Ralph Stokel

Lovely place to take pictures

My nay

Went to the birding festival great fun lots of things to do, canoeing, bird walks, bird banding, building bird houses, things for the whole family!!

Kelsey Paul

Great place to kayak. Would never swim there due to snakes.

Tony Alexander

For cardio the best place in Chesapeake to go it's 8 miles down in eight miles back for a total of 16 miles if you can't get any good cardio out of that I don't know what to say not to mention it's all a flat surface so if you're riding a bicycle this person I do it at least three times a week

Bob Hartman

We enjoyed our bike ride to the lake. Flat and easy. Don't forget the bug spray.