Great Dismal Swamp is an undeniably beautiful place. With its calm water and unique wildlife, it appears like something from another world. In light of the tragic wildfire suffered by this natural area a few years back, there’s something haunted about these dense forests and murky waters. And yet it’s speculated that Great Dismal Swamp has been haunted for centuries. Here’s more on one of the eeriest, and most picturesque locations along Virginia’s Eastern Seaboard:

In all of its splendor, Great Dismal Swamp is speculated to be one of the most haunted natural features in all of Virginia.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
One of the largest natural areas on the Eastern Seaboard, Great Dismal covers southeastern Virginia and also extends into North Carolina.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
Hundreds of years ago, this area comprised millions of acres of marsh. Due to human interaction, these lands have been drastically reduced and altered.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
Today just 112,000 acres remain and fortunately, they are overseen and protected by the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
As many of the nearby residents will remember, in August of 2011, Great Dismal Swamp suffered yet another fire when lightning struck the dry, charred land left from a previous fire three years earlier.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
Despite tremendous help put forth by officials and firefighters, the land was irrevocably scorched and thousands of acres were burned.

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Months following the incident were marked by a dense smoky fog that descended over the area, creating a particularly haunting vision.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
But even years ago, before the natural area was damaged by disaster, folklore tells of hauntings from centuries past.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
Legend tells of a man who lost his girlfriend in the Lake’s foggy waters. Having gone deranged from heartbreak and loss, the man never stopped wandering the area.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
Some have claimed to see this lost lover, known as "Lady of the Lake," paddling across the murky waters in all white. It’s said that her lantern can be spotted from miles away. Photographed above is Lake Drummond, a portion of Great Dismal Swamp Natural Area where the Lady of the Lake is said to roam.
Today, the Great Dismal Swamp National Refuge protects the swamp's delicate ecosystem.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
Visitors today can enjoy learning about the unique flora and fauna here, as well as other remarkable wildlife. In spite of a tragic history with fires and allegations of hauntings, Great Dismal Swamp is an incredible place to visit and explore.

What are your thoughts on the tragic history – both haunted and otherwise – surrounding Great Dismal Swamp? Or, what are some of your favorite features of this beautiful Natural Refuge Area?

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