U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Great Dismal SwampNational Wildlife Refuge

Trails

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge3100 Desert RoadSuffolk, VA 23434757/986 3705www.fws.gov/refuge/Great_Dismal_Swamp

Federal Relay Servicefor the deaf and hard-of-hearing1 800/877 8339

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILDhttp://www.fws.gov

January 2019

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Refuge Office

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Enter color-coded trail networks at these

gated trail entrances:

_____Railroad Ditch Entrance, 3120 Desert Road, Su�olk, VA_____Jericho Lane Entrance, 1330 WhiteMarsh Road, Su�olk, VA_____Washington Ditch Entrance, 3076 WhiteMarsh Road, Su�olk, VA_____Portsmouth Ditch Entrance, 3457 MartinJohnson Road, Chesapeake, VA_____Feeder Ditch Entrance (by water only), Dismal Swamp Canal, Chesapeake, VA

TRAIL INFORMATION

This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, has become the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Located in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to experience the beauty of nature. With more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and the 3,100 acre Lake Drummond at its center, the refuge contains some of the most important wildlife habitat in the mid-Atlantic region.

Visitor OpportunitiesRefuge trails are open daily, sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise posted. Visitors may participate in a variety of activities including hiking, biking, nature photography, wildlife observation, hunting, fishing and boating. The refuge was established for the purpose of protecting and managing the swamp’s unique ecosystem which includes wildlife and habitat. Therefore, portions of the refuge may be periodically closed to public use activities in order to accomplish this objectives.

Lake Drummond Black bear

Prothonotary warbler

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Be Awaren Cell phone coverage is limited.n Insect repellant is suggested during warm season.n Off trail travel is prohibited.n Pets must be on leash at all times.n Collecting any plants or animals prohibited.n Swimming is prohibited.n Ditch fishing prohibited.n Camping and camp fires prohibited.n A complete set of regulations is available from the

refuge website.

Refuge Office3100 Desert RoadSuffolk, VA 23434Offices hours: open Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed federal holidays.

Portions of the refuge may be temporarily closed to public use activities due to trail maintenance, prescribed burns, scheduled hunts, and other management activities. Check our website and Facebook page for special announcements.

Refuge Entrance Points

Washington Ditch Entrance 3076 White Marsh Road Suffolk, VA

The Washington Ditch Trail is the most often recommended trail for hiking and biking.n 3/4 mile boardwalk trailn 4 1/2 mile dirt road for hiking and biking to Lake

Drummondn Parking located 1 mile from entrance on White Marsh

Road n Pier at Lake Drummond n Fishing from piern Vault restroomsn Open daily, sunrise to sunset

Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive Entrance Railroad Ditch Road 3120 Desert Road Suffolk, VA

This is the wildlife drive route to Lake Drummond.n Self-serve permit required for auto access. Permits

available at the entrance gate.n 6 miles of gravel road to Lake Drummond

Portsmouth Ditch Entrance 3457 Martin Johnson Road Chesapeake, VA

n Black Bear Trail accessed from entrance road.n Vehicles are allowed to drive to the Big Entry Bridge,

two miles from Martin-Johnson Road. Parking is allowed on the west side of the entrance. Do not block bridge or road. Additional trails for hiking and biking beyond Big Entry Bridge.

n Open daily, sunrise to sunset

Headquarters/Pines Trail 3100 Desert Road Suffolk, VA

n Foot trail through pine forest surrounding headquarters complex. Trail connects to Railroad Ditch Trail; ½ mile to Underground Railroad Education Pavilion.

n Open daily, sunrise to sunset, for hikingn Gate to parking area open during office business hours.

n Underground Railroad Education Pavilion and boardwalk trail

n Cypress Marsh boardwalk trailn West Ditch boardwalk trailn Pier at Lake Drummondn Fishing from pier or boat per terms of self-serve permitn Boating access per terms of self-serve permitn Wildlife Drive auto access with required self-serve

permit. Gate opens every day with seasonal hours of April 1 through September 30, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and October 1 through March 31 as 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

n Open daily for hiking and biking, sunrise to sunset

Jericho Lane Entrance 1330 White Marsh Road Suffolk, VA

n Four dirt roads for hiking and bikingn Parking located 2 miles from White Marsh Road on

Jericho Lanen Vault restroomn Open daily, sunrise to sunset

Feeder Ditch Dismal Swamp Canal Chesapeake, VA

A by-water only access to Lake Drummond. The Feeder Ditch connects the Dismal Swamp Canal to Lake Drummond.n Fishing and boating are permitted year-round on Lake

Drummond. A Virginia freshwater license is required.n Vessels are limited to a maximum 25 hp on the lake.n Lake hours are from sunrise to sunset.