The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center is a NCDOT facility that provides a friendly face and tourism information to the traveling public. Whether by water or by land, the staff at this lovely complex aims to please, and assist the traveling public with a variety of services. About the Dismal Swamp Forbidding as its name may be, the Great Dismal Swamp is one of the few natural American gems remaining in the East. Despite its impressive size it remains a mystery to most people. We invite you to come see why many notables in America's history were lured by Nature's backdrop of emerald draping vines and sweet warbles of the songbirds which call the swamp "home". Today we are able to explore it's secrets, without the hardships endured by the early Americans pioneers that sought to tame it. Home to one of the largest Black Bear populations on the East Coast, subtropical birds, butterflies, bobcats and white-tailed deer, it is easily understood why this land deserves our protection. It offers travelers wealth of history and lore, flora and fauna.