Over on the North Carolina and Virginia border there exists an otherworldly place known as the Great Dismal Swamp. True to the name, the ecosystem found in the Great Dismal Swamp is, in fact, swampy. And the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge extends in to part of Virginia with a total area in both North Carolina and Virginia of 112,000 acres – the equivalent of 848 football fields.

The swamp remained largely inaccessible to the public until twelve years ago.
Google Maps/Kathy Peters
That's when the state of North Carolina opened up Dismal Swamp State Park.
TripAdvisor/melnel8905
One of the newest parks in the system, Dismal Swamp State Park offers a chance for visitors to immerse themselves in an ecosystem you won't find just anywhere in the state.
The park takes up a little more than 14,000 acres of the swamp's 112,000 acres and has roads, walkways and trails that provide a means of exploration.
Google Maps/James Ryan Coburn
The sheer size of the park makes it the perfect place to bring the bikes and pedal all over the place.

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There is also the Great Dismal Swamp Canal, accessed via the park and utilized by visitors for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
Google Maps/Kathy Peters
Canoes and kayaks are available for rent from the park (in season), or you can bring your own.
The ecosystem within the swamp supports a variety of flora and fauna.
Google Maps/Kathy Peters
Expect to see waterlogged cypress trees, birds, butterflies, and number of mammals including bears, bobcats, otters, and weasels. Additionally, more than 70 species of reptiles and amphibians call this wet paradise home.
The state park also has plenty of hiking and biking trails to explore the swamp.
TripAdvisor/Mark Donaldson
More than 20 miles of trails delve into the park offering visitors an up close encounter with this otherworldly place.
Dismal Swamp State Park is currently the only public access in North Carolina to the Great Dismal Swamp.
Wikipedia
The main access point is the park's Visitor Center (address below). The park is open year-round and the hours vary by season.

See the park hours for Dismal Swamp State Park here. And check out more details about the trails in the park by visiting our friends at AllTrails.com.

Have you already explored this relatively new North Carolina state park? Give some feedback by leaving a comment for others to see!

And if you love to hike, then check out: 7 Of The Best Mountain Hiking Trails For Beginners In North Carolina!

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