Visiting The Great Dismal Swamp In Virginia Is A Surreal Experience

Rolling hills, mountain views, and coastal paradise – if you’ve lived in Virginia for any period of time, you’ve probably grown accustomed to this beautiful scenery. That being said, our standards for beauty are set pretty high. What’s more unusual are the places that seem otherworldly, not for their beauty but for other remarkable reasons. Great Dismal Swamp is one such place. What was once a pristine landmark for preservation was scarred by fire caused by lighting in 2011. The fire burned for 111 days straight, covering the area in flame and smog. The fire damage has cast the swamplands in an eerie shadow, but there’s hope that regrowth will continue. These pictures show a progression of the swamp: before the fire, during, and after. Each stage seems like it could be a scene from a dream.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr

But pictures of the area taken before the fire suggest otherwise. This wildlife refuge in Suffolk was created in 1974 to protect this marshy region of southeastern Virginia.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr

This makes you wonder what the rest of the state might have looked like before civilization took over.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr

The circular Lake Drummond remains a geographical wonder and is one of only two natural lakes in the state. Poets and writers alike have deemed this place spectacular and mysterious.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr

What kept the fire burning for so long was the peat soil and soft mud of the marsh. Burnt peat has this striking orange color.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr

The protected area includes 112,000 acres of important habitat.

Internet Archive Book Images/flickr

Enslaved people used the swamp as refuge. The importance of the swamp to early American history is recorded in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp. In 2012, the Underground Railroad Exhibition Pavilion opened so visitors could learn about this.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr

Hardwoods, vines, and cattails are re-emerging and quickly filling what was lost. Scientists believe a similar phenomenon occurred 4,000 years ago, which led to the formation of Lake Drummond. This aerial view of the lake (pre-fire) shows the extraordinary beauty of what we hope the area will return to.

Although fires are devastating and tragic, they have a way of renewing the landscape and reminding us of the resilience of nature. Have you visited Dismal Swamp? Did anything about it seem particularly dream-like? Share your experiences in the comments!