Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

03/12/2026

Bird Walks!
3 Saturdays: April 11, 18th and 25th
Join local birders for one of our free bird walks at the Great Dismal Swamp NWR - Washington Ditch. All experience levels are welcome! April is an exciting time to visit and witness the spring migration. Many songbirds, including warblers, pass through the refuge at this time of year. Registration (email) required at: https://signup.com/go/quqzZNT. You will receive email confirmation and reminders. For questions, contact volunteer Laura at: [email protected]. We hope to see you in April!
Photo: Prothonotary Warbler (Credit: Laura Mae)

12/29/2025

Week of 12/29 Update:
1) The visitor center/Refuge HQ will not be open on 12/31 and 1/1.
2) Road maintenance may be occuring along Washington Ditch Access Road and Jericho Lane/Access Road on 12/30 and/or 12/31. Roads may be closed during certain times of the day. If visiting on those days, please be prepared to use an alternative trailhead in case of road closure(s). Thank you and Happy New Year.

11/24/2025

Christmas Bird Count at the Swamp: Sunday, December 14th. Join us for this annual event as we bird along the refuge roads. No experience needed. Bring binoculars if you have them. Contact Laura Mae ([email protected]) to join a team. Space is limited.

10/01/2025

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated.
For more information, please visit:

Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

03/03/2025

Great Dismal Swamp-Bird Walks
SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, April 26th & Sunday, April 27th

Join Cape Henry Audubon Society & Hampton Roads Bird Club for FREE and open-to-the public bird walks at the Great Dismal Swamp NWR. All experience levels are welcome! April is an exciting time to visit and witness the spring migration. Many songbirds, including warblers, pass through the refuge at this time of year.
*Registration required at: https://signup.com/go/JNNJNLL. Enter your email address and choose your spot. No need to create an account. You will receive an email confirmation and reminders. We hope to see you this weekend!
Photo: Prothonotary Warbler (Susan Stanley/USFWS)

12/24/2024

Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive now open for sunrise views over Lake Drummond.
Sorry for the slight delay to make this available, but better late than never! The Railroad Ditch Trailhead, located at 3120 Desert Road in Suffolk, VA, will be open at 6:30am from December 24 to January 5 for viewing holiday sunrises over Lake Drummond. Feel free to share photos here. Have a wonder holiday and new year. And, thank you for celebrating 50 years of the Great Dismal Swamp NWR.

11/27/2024

GUIDED BIKE RIDE!! Thanks to all our visitors who came out to celebrate the 50th anniversary with us this year. There is still 34 days left in 2024! Here's your next opportunity and stay tuned for a Winter solstice opportunity to close us out.

Join Mark Salvatore, avid dismal swamp cyclist, for a guided bike ride along the historic Washington Ditch Trail. This will be 9 miles, round trip, with the turn around point being at the shore of Lake Drummond. It will be a slow pace for wildlife watching and learning about the unique ecosystem and fauna of the Great Dismal Swamp.
It won't be greened-up like the photo, but still a beautiful winter view.

When: Saturday December 14, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Washington Ditch Trailhead parking lot, 3076 White Marsh Road, Suffolk, VA
Registration: Contact the Refuge Office at 757-986-3705 or [email protected].
More information provided upon registration.

09/13/2024

ONE WEEK TO GO!!! 50th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, September 21st
FREE events & activities for all ages at our New Jericho Lane Trailhead in Suffolk (near Historic Downtown). THERE ARE STILL SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR THE GUIDED BIKE RIDES AND NATURE WALKS.

See website for schedule including live animals, performances, nature walks, bike rides, axe throwing, crafts and more:
https://www.fws.gov/event/great-dismal-swamp-nwr-50th-anniversary-festival

08/30/2024

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY TO US!!
On this day in 1974, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established with the purpose of protecting and preserving the unique and outstanding ecosystem, and providing public uses.

We will be celebrating with a festival on Saturday September 21st. For more information, click this link:
https://www.fws.gov/event/great-dismal-swamp-nwr-50th-anniversary-festival

Come out and see for yourself what a gem it is for wildlife and people. Here is a link to our trail system.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/great-dismal-swamp/visit-us/trails

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge contains some of the most important wildlife habitat in the mid-Atlantic region. At near 113,000 acres, the refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast swamp that once covered more than one million acres.

08/18/2024

On Saturday, September 21st join us for our 50th Anniversary Festival with FREE events and activities at our New Jericho Lane Trailhead in Suffolk! See program for more info and how to sign up for nature walks, bus tours and bike rides:
https://www.fws.gov/event/great-dismal-swamp-nwr-50th-anniversary-festival

08/07/2024

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPEN UNTIL AUGUST 25, 2024
Draft Environmental Assessment for the Jericho Lane Trailhead Enhancement Project

For more information, click this link.https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-08/notice-of-availabilty_jericho-lane-trailhead_final.pdf

To directly download the Draft Environmental Assessment, click this link.
https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-08/jericho-trailhead-ea-and-cd-lr2.pdf

06/10/2024

July Butterfly Count- Postponed to Saturday, July 20th.
Join us for our July Count! All skill levels (including beginner) welcome; teams consist of folks with a mix of experience. The Count is a combination of driving and short walks.

Please RSVP to [email protected] if you would like to participate and include your skill level (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced) and if you need to leave by a certain time (some teams stay out longer than others).