Outbound Collective logo

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Loop

Gillette, New Jersey

5.0/5
based on 6 reviews

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.

Read More

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 app
Download GPX File

Features

Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest
River
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Loop Reviews

The Great Swamp is not too far from my house so I have been there multiple times, no matter the season! In the lush seasons it is full of wildlife (though I have never come across a snake as Jennifer has mention) and the colors are amazing. In the winter, things are little more barren but the snow is so quiet and the frozen streams are beautiful. This place is also great for kids because they have the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center where they can go inside and learn about the animals and plants that are common to the area.

I really loved this hike, there are so many variations you can take, I went after it rained and a few of the foot trails weren't able to be crossed so be weary about that. There are a lot of bird feeders for nice photography for birds.

Way too many snakes for me to handle. Was a cool place but they were just every where!

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