Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Loop
Gillette, New Jersey
Details
Distance
0.94 miles
Elevation Gain
43 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Darren Erbe
Abundant wildlife. Great for bird watching. Easy-access trails (up to 9 miles).
Nestled within the more urban and suburban communities in Northern New Jersey, you can escape back to nature at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The name says it all - this place is the perfect opportunity to get up close to a variety of different wildlife that call this protected land home. Commonly seen animals include fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, and frogs. There are also more than 244 species of birds that feed and nest within the wildlife refuge, making the park popular among bird enthusiasts.
As for the trails, there a several separate trails (totaling around 9 miles) in the park that do not interconnect to each other, so having a car or bicycle may be required if you plan on doing multiple trails. Accessing a trail map online or picking up a copy upon your arrival will certainly help you determine your route. The trails themselves wind through both woodlands and wetlands, so remember to bring proper footwear.
THE TRAILS
The best starting pointing would be in the center of the park, at the Wildlife Observation Center. From here you'll find the only boardwalk paths in the park, which are also handicap-accessible. The roughly 1 mile of trails at this location will take you to three different bird blinds, giving you a unique perspective into this unique environment.
The other two groups of non-looping trails can be accessed at either end of their respective trails, with additional parking at each trailhead location. These sets of trails do not have any boardwalks so they are often muddy, but offer a nice leisurely hike with an opportunity to see many of the park's native wildlife.
THE RAPTOR TRUST
One of the coolest aspects of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the Raptor Trust, found on White Bridge Rd within the park. This nonprofit is one of the premier wild bird rehabilitation centers in the United States, and allows you to get up close to a variety of birds of prey. They are open seven days a week, and it's free to visit (although a small donation is encouraged since the Raptor Trust is operated solely by private contributions.)
For operating hours and more information, visit their website.
Download the Outbound mobile app
Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
Get the appFeatures
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Loop Reviews
This place was beautiful! Took a trip here after work one day just to check it out and was pleasantly surprised.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Hike Hacklebarney State Park's Trout Brook Riverbanks
Hike Pyramid Mountain to Tripod Rock
Hike at Mills Reservation
Bike the Columbia Trail: Califon to High Bridge
Hike the Staten Island Greenbelt
Hike the Timberbrook Pond - Riley's Rise Loop
Community
© 2024 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy