Activities
Located in North Carolina’s northeastern border with Virginia, Dismal
Swamp State Park provides numerous recreational opportunities.
The area surrounding the park has a rich history intertwining with
George Washington, the Underground Railroad and Prohibition. The
park provides public access to the Great Dismal Swamp, the largest
remaining swamp in the eastern United States, and its unique and
abundant plant life and wildlife.
Experience the Park!
Dismal Swamp State Park
2294 US 17 North
South Mills, NC 27976
252-771-6593
dismal.swamp@ncparks.gov
GPS: 36.5057, -76.3551
Fun Facts
■■ The park was established in 1974.
■■ At one time, the swamp covered 1.28
■■ Wild turkey
■■ Bobwhite
■■ Deer
■■ Marsh rabbit
■■ Raccoon
The rare Hessel’s
Hairstreak Butterfly
can be found at
Dismal
Swamp.
million acres.
■■ Black-throated green warbler
■■ Opposum
■■ Gray fox
■■ Bobcat
■■ Black bear
■■ Dismal Swamp has a 22-mile long canal.
■■ The swamp is one of the largest pieces of
undeveloped land in the eastern U.S.
■■ The area around the swamp is covered in
peat soil — which can be from 3 to15 feet
deep
Because Dismal Swamp
is a drier swamp, there
are more red maple
than white cedar trees
and cypress.
The swamp
is said to
be haunted
by ghosts.
■■ Dismal Swamp was an integral part of the
Underground Railroad, and home to one of
the largest maroon colonies in the US.
■■ To European settlers, “dismal” meant
swamp.
■■ The rich, coffee brown color of the water
comes from the tannins in tree leaves.
■■ The entrance has a one-of-a-kind hydraulic
swing bridge.
Many fruits grow wild at Dismal Swamp:
blackberry, persimmons
and blueberries
ncparks.gov
MNQP
