Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Way to Escape
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U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service American black bear Photo: P. Cuffee Lake Drummond Photo: P. Cuffee Great Dismal Swamp Wild turkey with young Photo: J. Ross Yellow jessamine Photo: D. Schwab Pine warbler Photo: D. Schneider National Wildlife Refuge Great purple hairstreak Photo: T. Kain Lake Drummond with the Dismal Swamp Canal. A Located within a two hour drive of over 1.6 million Lane entrance are both located off White Marsh Road in through the Railroad Ditch entrance, a route of six miles along public boat ramp is located north of the Feeder Ditch residents of southeastern Virginia and northeastern Suffolk, Virginia, and provide the best dirt roads for hiking Railroad Ditch Road, West Ditch Road, and Interior Ditch on the Dismal Swamp Canal. A canoe and kayak North Carolina, the Great Dismal Swamp National and biking. In the Railroad Ditch entrance, located off Desert Roads. A vehicle pass is needed and can be obtained from the launch is located south of the Feeder Ditch, adjacent Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to connect with Road in Suffolk, Virginia, are all-weather gravel roads that refuge offi ce on business days from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. With to the Dismal Swamp State Park. Near the lake, at nature. With 111,203 acres of forested wetlands and allow auto access by special permit to Lake Drummond. The a two week notice organized groups may secure a special use the Dismal Swamp Reservation, boats must be small the 3,100 acre Lake Drummond at its center, the Feeder Ditch water trail is located off the Dismal Swamp permit to allow access for small buses, up to 25 passengers. enough to portage around the water control structure refuge contains some of the most important wildlife Canal in Chesapeake, Virginia, and is a by-water only The best views of the lake can be seen from the Interior Ditch or to be lifted by electric tram to the higher level of habitat in the mid-Atlantic region. entrance. pier. A quick walk on the West Ditch Boardwalk Trail, located on West Ditch Road, offers wildlife viewing opportunities the lake. Lift weight is restricted to a maximum of 1,000 lbs. Vessels are limited to 25 hp on the lake. A Visitor Opportunities Washington Ditch in a typically fl ooded wetland environment and a glance of a centuries old bald cypress tree. (This entrance is also the Virginia fi shing license is required. Refuge trails are open daily, sunrise to sunset, The Washington Ditch Trail is the most often recommended access to the Interior Ditch boat ramp by seasonal permit, Portsmouth Ditch unless otherwise posted. Visitors may participate trail for hiking and biking. The 4 1/2 mile dirt road is the April 1 through June 15). in a variety of activities including hiking, biking, shortest trail to Lake Drummond. Once at the lake visitors Feeder Ditch Located off Martin Johnson Road in Chesapeake, nature photography, wildlife observation, hunting, enjoy panoramic views from the pier using a mounted scope. Virginia, the Portsmouth Ditch offers limited access to fi shing and boating. The refuge was established The elevated Dismal Town Boardwalk Trail is located adjacent Fishing and boating are permitted year-round on Lake the northeast section of the refuge. More often used for the purpose of protecting and managing the to the Washington Ditch parking area. This boardwalk Drummond with access via the Feeder Ditch, connecting by nearby residents, hiking and biking are allowed, swamp’s unique ecosystem which includes wildlife meanders almost a mile through a representative portion of but there are no designated parking areas. and habitat. Therefore, portions of the refuge may swamp habitats. Vault restrooms and a large parking area be periodically closed to public use activities in order complete the accommodations making the entrance favored by Hunting to accomplish this objective. large and small groups. Hours of Operation A white-tailed deer hunt is held on 13 days, selected Jericho Lane Refuge Trails Open daily for hiking and biking, sun- Fridays and Saturdays plus the Thursday during Refuge Entrance Points rise to sunset, or as otherwise posted. (Portions of the opening week, from early October through mid At the Jericho Lane entrance visitors will fi nd a more refuge will be closed to all other public use activities during November, with a scouting day the last Saturday in The refuge has four main entrances from which primitive setting but with four trails to consider. South Jericho the scheduled hunt days-see Hunting). September. Deer hunt access is through the Jericho visitors will fi nd many miles of trails for exploring. Ditch Trail and Lynn Ditch Trail are favored by birding Lane, Railroad Ditch, and through an additional The Washington Ditch entrance and the Jericho enthusiasts. Hardier visitors may prefer the challenging Refuge Offi ce Open Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to entrance, the Corapeake Ditch entrance which is loop of north Jericho-Williamson-New-Hudnell Ditches located on Desert Road in Gates County, North (approximately 6 miles). Parking is available two miles into 4:00 pm, closed federal holidays. Carolina. The Washington Ditch Entrance, including the forest from White Marsh Road. Railroad Ditch Road When available, vehicle passes the trail to the Lake and the Boardwalk Trail remain Railroad Ditch are issued from the Refuge offi ce, Monday- Friday, opened during the deer hunt, but all other trails are closed except for hunting. 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. When available, auto access to Lake Drummond is possible A quota black bear hunt is held on two designated Orientations are limited to staff availability and require a two To Williamsburg days in late November/early December. Portions week notice. Orientations and vehicle passes are not available Portsmouth of the refuge will be closed to all other public use on weekends. activities during the scheduled bear hunt days. 10 664 58 32 264 Camping/Picnicking 64 To Norfolk State and refuge permits are required for both hunts. s ypas 337 64 and 58 B Additional information is available from the refuge 58 Virginia Camping and overnight use are prohibited on the refuge. 460 166 58 Chesapeake Old Beach 460 Mill offi ce or the refuge web site. There are no designated picnic areas on the refuge. 460 Road 13 MartinMartin JohnJohnsonson Rd. d s Road 104 as l Educational Opportunities yp Suffolk o d General Refuge Regulations 8 B 5 Big Entry Ditch 17 58 Williamson Ditch 165 New A refuge orientation is available for organized school, 1. Pursuant to Title 18, Assimilative Crimes Act, Virginia Ditch Business 17 32 Jericho Hudnell Ditch scout, civic, and professional groups by advance and North Carolina state law may apply on the Great Dismal Lane Hudnell Ditch 13 Bypass Rosemary 17 reservation. A typical visit would include a 15 minute 13 d Ditch Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Jericho Ditch 104 64 a Gloucester 13 orientation at the refuge headquarters (group size o R East Ditch East h Portsmouth Ditch limited to a maximum of 35), or at the Washington Example – Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited in s Williamsburg r Northeast Ditch a 17 Hampton Ditch or the Jericho Lane trail head (recommended Virginia. Ditch Lynn 13 M Camp Ditch Wakefield e 460 for larger groups), followed by a teacher led activity or t 642 Norfolk 2. Refuge trails are open to hiking and biking. Visitors must i Virginia h Middle Ditch Windsor 64 Beach vehicle pass to Lake Drummond through the Railroad 32 Franklin 165 604 W stay on designated trails. 58 Suffolk Chesapeake Ditch entrance. Virginia 13 168 3. Collecting (includes catch and release), attempting to 1 4 ⁄2 miles to lake N. Carolina S. handle or harming any plant or animal life is prohibited. Washington Ditch 258 Sunbury Reservations for orientations may be made by Elizabeth 4. Feeding wildlife is prohibited. Refuge City contacting visitor services at the refuge headquarters. Office 5. All refuge entrances are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Railroad Ditch Dismal Swamp Canal Trail No overnight use is permitted. 604 Lake 17 N 6. All pets must be kept on a hand-held leash at all times. Drummond Feeder Ditch 0 Miles 3 642 Interior Ditch ack R For your safety: 7. Firearms and other weapons are prohibited except as Ballah oa d 0 2 authorized during refuge hunts. Ditch West • The refuge is home to both wood and deer Kilometers 8. Playback recorders or devices are prohibited because they ticks. Insect repellant, a hat, and tucking your Road adversely affect wildlife behavior. South Ditch pant legs into your socks will keep ticks on the 9. Access to refuge at any location other than through Virginia Great Dismal Swamp outside of your clothing. At the end of your Desert designated trails and roads is prohibited. North Carolina National Wildlife Refuge visit, check yourself and children for ticks and 10. ATV’s are prohibited on the refuge. Daniels Rd. other insects. 17 Legend 11. Refuge wide speed limit is 25 MPH unless otherwise Dismal Swamp State Park Refuge Office • Chiggers, or red bugs, are small insects that posted. Parking Area cause red, itchy welts for 1-2 weeks. Staying on the trail and away from tall grass will Boardwalk Trail National Wildlife Refuge System Auto Tour Route minimize exposure to these insects. by Permit Great Dismal Swamp is one of more than 540 refuges in Canal Swamp Dismal Trail Entrance • As may be expected in a wet area, mosquitoes the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the 32 Refuge Area are common. Insect repellent, long pants, hats, U.S.