Directions
Great Swamp is located 7 miles south of Morristown, New Jersey From Interstate 287 (Southbound and Northbound): Take Exit 30A (Basking Ridge/North Maple Avenue) and bear right onto North Maple Avenue. Go through the traffic light at Madisonville Road (ignore refuge directional sign pointing left at Madisonville Road) and continue on North Maple Avenue. After one mile North Maple will bear left and become South Maple Avenue. Continue on South Maple Avenue for one mile and turn left onto Lord Stirling Road. After 1.3 miles you will pass over a bridge on the Passaic River. Continue straight on White Bridge Road for one mile and turn left onto Pleasant Plains Road. Follow refuge directional signs to refuge headquarters. From Interstate 78 (westbound): Take Exit 40 and turn right on Hillcrest Road (County Road 531). Go to stop sign (1 mile), cross Mountain Avenue, staying on Hillcrest Road (531). (Hillcrest Road becomes Mountain Avenue after passing over the Passaic River Bridge). Go straight through the traffic light at the intersection of County Road 512 and continue on Mountain Avenue (now County Road 638). Go 1.3 miles to the top of the hill and cross over Long Hill Road onto Meyersville Road. Go down Meyersville Road 0.8 miles to circle, turn left on New Vernon Road and follow refuge directional signs. From Interstate 78 (eastbound): Take Exit 40 and turn left onto Hillcrest Road and follow westbound directions.
Phone
973-425-1222
Activities
AUTO TOURING, INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS, HIKING, HUNTING, WILDLIFE VIEWING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, PHOTOGRAPHY
Camping Reservations
Reserve your campsite at these camping areas:
Hiking Trails
Looking for nice hiking areas to take a hike? Choose from these scenic hiking trails:
Related Link(s)
More New Jersey Recreation Areas
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 and lies 26 miles west of New York City’s Times Square and 7 miles south of Morristown, New Jersey in Morris County. This oasis of wilderness, surrounded by urban and suburban areas, provides important habitats to fish and wildlife and a unique opportunity for the public to enjoy wildlife and wilderness within close proximity to urban centers. It consists of approximately 7,600 acres of swamp woodland, hardwood ridges, cattail marsh, grassland, ponds and meandering streams. Over the years, the refuge has become a resting and feeding area for more than 244 species of birds. The refuge also provides a “home” for more than 39 species of reptiles and amphibians, 29 species of fish, 33 species of mammals and approximately 600 species of plants (including 215 species of wildflowers). Additionally, 26 of these species are listed by the State of New Jersey as being threatened or endangered, including the wood turtle, blue-spotted salamander and bog turtle (also federally threatened).
