Great Dismal Swamp Refugefall foliage
No reports yet this season for Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Right now in Great Dismal Swamp Refuge · September
- Black bears busy before hibernation · Sep–Nov
- Wildlife Drive open until 7 pm · Apr–Sep
23days to the next fall foliage seasonOct 21–31, Swamp autumn color, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Next 7 days
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 2:06 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Wildlife Drive open until 7 pmNowApr–Sep
- Black bears busy before hibernationNowSep–Nov
- Swamp autumn colorOct
Best spots around Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive6-mile gravel road to the lake, 3 boardwalks; drive, walk or bike
- Portsmouth Ditch Trailhead1.5-mile TRACK trail loop
- Pines TrailShort loop by headquarters through mature loblolly pine
Around Virginia this week
- Occoquan Bay Refuge145 mi · Wetland autumn color, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceTodaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Shenandoah170 mi · usually Oct 8–21Todaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- George Washington and Jefferson289 mi · usually Oct 11–31Todaydry and calmTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across the Southern Appalachians, every species with enough observations is close to a typical year. Which trees turn when →
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Auto Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in 2026?
Swamp autumn color, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Oct 21–31. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 23 days (Oct 21–31, Swamp autumn color, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
When is fall color best?
The Fish and Wildlife Service points to late October. The swamp's forests range from bald cypress to red maple and rare Atlantic white cedar.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Will I see a bear?
Maybe: black bears are very active in fall, getting ready for hibernation, and some sun themselves in trees along the Wildlife Drive. Keep your distance.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there a fee?
Only on the Wildlife Drive: $5 per vehicle, cash only, waived with passes such as America the Beautiful or a Duck Stamp.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the Wildlife Drive open?
Every day: 7 am to 7 pm from April through September, 7:30 am to 5 pm from October through March. The gate closes an hour earlier.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Auto Tour ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge?
Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive: 6-mile gravel road to the lake, 3 boardwalks; drive, walk or bike; Portsmouth Ditch Trailhead: 1.5-mile TRACK trail loop; Pines Trail: short loop by headquarters through mature loblolly pine.
What is Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Swamp autumn color (Oct), Black bears busy before hibernation (Sep–Nov) and Wildlife Drive open until 7 pm (Apr–Sep).