Chowan Swamp Game Land
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Chowan Swamp Game Land is a wildlife management area located in northeastern North Carolina.
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Summary
There are several good reasons to visit the area, including the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife such as black bears, deer, and migratory birds. The area also contains several points of interest, such as the Chowan River, which is popular for fishing and kayaking, and the Cypress Point Wildlife Trail, which provides a unique view of the swamp ecosystem.
Interesting facts about Chowan Swamp Game Land include that it is one of the largest intact bottomland hardwood forests remaining in the southeastern United States, and that it provides an important habitat for several rare and endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
The best time of year to visit Chowan Swamp Game Land is in the fall and winter, when the weather is cooler and the wildlife is more active. Visitors should also be aware that hunting is allowed in the area during certain times of the year, so it is important to check local regulations and wear appropriate safety gear if hiking or exploring off-trail areas.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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