Dedicated to the conservation of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Morris County, NJ
Great Swamp NWR
Directions to the Refuge (on Refuge website, opens in new window).
Download a pdf with directions to the Refuge and the Visitor Center.
photo by Mitchell Speert
Download the Refuge and Observation Center map (includes Site Regulations).
photo by Kathy Reutlinger
Click here to go to the Refuge website (will open in a new browser window).
photo by Dante Callahan
Things To Do in the Refuge
Wildlife Observation Center
Volunteers at the WOC
photo by Kathy Woodward
Enjoy the 1.2 miles of trails at the Wildlife Observation Center, where you can get a close-up view of an exciting array of wildlife including frogs, snakes, turtles, mammals, and birds as you walk right over the swamp on boardwalk trails. There are three observation blinds where you can view wildlife. Read more about wildlife management in the refuge and download lists of observed wildlife here.
photo by Jerry Quinlan
The Wildlife Observation Center is open from dawn to sunset daily. During spring and fall migration season, the information center is staffed by volunteers. Rest room facilities are available. No pets or picnicking are allowed.
Hike in the Wilderness Area
photo by
Jim Gilbert
There are eight miles of trails through the 3,660 acre Wilderness Area of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. These are primitive hiking trails and are frequently wet, but it’s a rare opportunity to experience a solitary walk in this metropolitan area.
Birdwatching
photo by Robert Lin
Bird watching is one of the favorite activities in Great Swamp NWR. Over the years more than 244 different species have been observed. The Friends Blind at the Wild Life Observation Center is a good location to view water birds and perhaps a Pileated Woodpecker. On Pleasant Plains Road, a Bittern is sometimes seen from the Overlook, as are Red-headed Woodpeckers. Download the bird list.
Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center
The Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center is located at 32 Pleasant Plains Rd., Harding Township, NJ, at GPS coordinates 40° 43 '09.56" N, 74° 31' 32.38" W. It is open on Thursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
photo by Michael Stadelmeier
Exhibits demonstrate the variety of habitats and wildlife that can be seen at Great Swamp NWR as well as the history of this Refuge that makes it so special to this area.
“It’s a Wing Thing”
exhibit in the Discovery Den
The Discovery Den has educational and entertaining activities for children. During cold winter days it is not uncommon for families to come to the visitor center to get out of their homes and enjoy the various activities.
Certainly one of the highlights has been the addition of the wonderful quilt donated to the Friends by Marcia Rymer. The quilt incorporates the birds and flowers that meant so much to Marcia, stitched onto or into the quilt. It has a permanent home in the library and never ceases to amaze visitors. It truly is a work of art.
Quilt detail
Friends’ Nature Shop
The shop, located in the Visitor Center, is open during visitor center hours and is managed and staffed entirely by
volunteers.
All proceeds from the Nature Shop are used to fund a variety of projects and activities
that benefit the refuge and refuge visitors.
At the Nature Shop, visitors will find a variety of items including books, photos, games, jewelry, clothing and, of course, Judy Schmidt’s hand-made mugs. More information...