Great Cypress Swamp: A Remnant Wilderness

The Great Cypress Swamp, also known as Burnt Swamp, is a forested freshwater swamp straddling the Delaware-Maryland border on the Delmarva Peninsula. Once a sprawling wilderness covering approximately 93 square miles, it's now the largest contiguous forest on the peninsula. This unique ecosystem is one of the northernmost bald cypress swamps in the United States. Historically, the swamp was a rich habitat supporting diverse wildlife, including bears and wolves. It also served as the headwaters of the Pocomoke River. However, extensive logging, agricultural drainage, and fires, particularly a devastating peat fire in 1930 that burned for eight months, significantly degraded the swamp. This fire led locals to call it the 'Burnt Swamp'. Today, the Great Cypress Swamp is a focus of restoration efforts led by organizations like Delaware Wild Lands. These initiatives aim to restore the natural hydrology and promote the regrowth of native species like bald cypress and Atlantic white cedar. Visitors can explore the swamp's unique environment and observe a variety of bird species. While access is limited, a drive through the area offers views of the large bald cypress trees and a sense of wild remoteness.