Chowan Game Land

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Last Updated: December 26, 2025

Chowan Game Land is a wildlife management area located in northeastern North Carolina.


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Summary

It spans over 14,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife species, including black bears, wild turkeys, deer, and waterfowl.

Visitors to Chowan Game Land can enjoy a range of outdoor recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. The area features several designated hiking trails, including the historic Indian Trail and the scenic Snake Road Trail.

One of the most popular attractions in Chowan Game Land is the Chowan Swamp Observation Tower, which offers stunning views of the surrounding wetland ecosystem. Other points of interest include the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge.

Chowan Game Land is also rich in history and cultural significance. The area was once home to the Chowanoke Native American tribe, and there are several archaeological sites and historic landmarks that visitors can explore.

The best time of year to visit Chowan Game Land depends on the activities you plan to do. Hunting season runs from September to January, while birdwatching and hiking are popular in the fall and spring months when the weather is mild.

Overall, Chowan Game Land is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. With its diverse wildlife, beautiful scenery, and rich history, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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