Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,500-acre wildlife preserve located in Morris County, New Jersey.


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Summary

It offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore natural habitats and observe a variety of wildlife. There are many good reasons to visit the refuge, including bird watching, hiking, fishing, and educational programs.

The refuge is home to over 240 species of birds, making it a popular destination for bird watchers. It is also home to a variety of mammals, including beavers, muskrats, foxes, and deer. Visitors can explore the many hiking trails throughout the refuge to see these animals in their natural habitats.

One of the most popular points of interest in the refuge is the Wildlife Observation Center, where visitors can observe wildlife from a safe distance. The center also offers educational programs for visitors of all ages.

Other points of interest include the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, which features interactive exhibits about the refuge's history and wildlife, and the Maple Sugar House, where visitors can learn about the process of making maple syrup.

Interesting facts about the refuge include its history as a site for peat mining in the early 1900s, and its designation as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1960. The refuge is also an important stopover for migrating birds, with over 35,000 waterfowl and 10,000 shorebirds passing through each year.

The best time of year to visit the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is in the spring and fall, when migrating birds are passing through and the foliage is changing colors. However, the refuge is open year-round and offers different experiences throughout the seasons.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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