- Address
- Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
- County
- Morris County, Somerset County
- Park System
- National Wildlife Refuge System
- Activities
- birding, hiking, walking
- Geo Coords
- 40.68988,-74.493313
- Related Blog Posts
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New Jersey birders and cyclists already know the area around this national wildlife park for different reasons—the park itself offers some of the best birdwatching and photography opportunities outside of the Meadowlands and a few stops along the shore—and the flat quite roads around the park offer miles of great cycling. But away from the roads and pull offs the Great Swamp also offers nature walkers and hikers alike some peaceful walking trails.
From the Wildlife Observation Center parking area along Long Hill Road one can find a few short trails, mostly over boardwalks, and bird observation blinds located around the marsh. Its a great stop for children and families and offers easy access to some of the parks common wildlife with many opportunities to see frogs, turtles, dragonflys, birds and even the occasional snake. Much of the area in this part of the park is highly managed and one should stay on the trails and paths provided.
For the more adventurous the eastern section of the park is designated a Wilderness Area and one can freely roam the trails and wooded area which contains 8.5 miles of hiking trails.
Friends of Great Swamp NWR
The Friends of Great Swamp is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to supporting the park through educational programs, tours, events, trail maintenance, and cleanup. They operate a gift shop located at 32 Pleasant Plains Road which help funds their efforts.
Hike Descriptions
Park Map & Brochure available for download from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services web site.
Purchase Photographs
Photos of this park taken by Chris Casciano. Photographs from parks and trails around New Jersey can be purchased at New Jersey Landscape Photography by Chris Casciano. Buy a print to support this site and take home a memory of the trails.
Learn more about this park at these other sites:
Map & Location
View directions via the Friends of Great Swamp or click on the map below for a link to Google Maps.
