The Great Dismal Swamp is The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, a large southern swamp in the Coastal Plain Region of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, between Norfolk, Virginia, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, was officially established through the Dismal Swamp Act of 1974. Lake Drummond is the center of activity in the swamp today, attracting fishermen, sightseers, and boaters.
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge consists of over 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and lies wholly within the Middle Atlantic coastal forests ecoregion. The refuge harbors a wide range of plant and animal species. Bald cypress, tupelo, maple, Atlantic white cypress, and pine, among other tree species found on the refuge, support the fauna within. The swamp is home to many mammals, including black bear, bobcat, otter, and weasel, as well as over 70 species of reptiles and amphibians. More than 200 bird species are seen within the swamp throughout the year; 96 of these are known to nest in the refuge.
