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Dismal Swamp, Great Photo

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The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge straddles Virginia and North Carolina. Its forested wetlands surround Lake Drummond. (Image credit: Brian Hawkins, USFWS)

The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge may not be first on your list of summer vacation spots, but for those who do go, it’s not all as wet and desolate as this photo suggests.

The swampy refuge, southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, consists of more 112,000 acres of forested wetlands. Lake Drummond the largest natural lake in Virginia (3,100 acres), is at the heart of the swamp.

Unpaved roads offer hiking and biking. Among the more popular is

Washington Ditch Trail, which leads to Lake Drummond. Or try the elevated, wooden Dismal Town Boardwalk Trail, which wanders through a mile of swamp habitats. There are also campgrounds and picnic areas.

Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
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