Ocean Storage

Go on an adventure filled with some of Chesapeake's most stunning natural beauty when you visit the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Dismal Swamp is located in southeastern Virginia and northeastern Carolina and has been recognized as a mysterious natural attraction where several people have easily lost their way. Originally established in 1974, this refuge is made up of 112,684 acres of forested wetlands. The 31,000-acre Drummond Lake is found at the center of the swamp.

Lovers of the outdoors in Chesapeake know that the place to enjoy the natural beauty of the area is the Western Branch Park and Sports Park. This hub of outdoor activity and fun attracts various teams, groups and families out to enjoy its many amenities. This 80-acre site is the home of an impressive variety of sports attractions that include multipurpose softball fields with lights, lighted tennis courts and basketball courts. If you feel like you would rather commune with nature than play a sport, enjoy the spectacle of thousands of wildflowers that adorn a winding nature trail that is perfect for walking and running.

A single tree offers a great place to relax and commune with nature. But at the Chesapeake Arboretum, there are so many trees that your senses will be overwhelmed–but in a good way! This 47-acre garden features a staggering number of trees and also does an admirable job of championing the importance of environmental awareness through various exhibits and attractions. The Chesapeake Arboretum originally opened its doors in 1996 and has been welcoming hundreds of visitors on a regular basis ever since.