GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE152 Pleasant Plains Road Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
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Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
© Copyright DASImage.com, All Rights Reserved

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
© Copyright DASImage.com, All Rights Reserved

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 and lies 26 miles west of New York Cities 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 7,500 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).
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseHuntingyes
Hiking Trailyes
 | Wooden Duck Bed Breakfast - Newton, NJ BBs / Inns A brick patio in ground swimming pool invite guests to step outdoors and enjoy their picturesque surroundings and provide a lovely spot for seasonal breakfasting, sunbathing or just plain relaxing |
 | Holly Thorn House - Whitehouse Station, NJ BBs / Inns A lovely replica of an English country manor home which combines fine old inn-keeping tradition, gracious in every way and lending itself to all seasons. You can enjoy comfortable and serene Queen bedded rooms, furnished with the warmth of antiques, and all with private baths and phones. |
 | Manchester Inn Bed and Breakfast - Ocean Grove, NJ BBs / Inns The Manchester Inn, The Ocean Grove New Jersey Bed Breakfast and The Secret Garden Restaurant are steps from the white sandy beach and the gentle surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the cooling ocean breezes from our rocking chair porch while overlooking Ocean Pathway, Ocean Groves finest avenue |
 | Whistling Swan Inn - Stanhope, NJ BBs / Inns Nestled in the beautiful Skylands Region of New Jersey, the house now known as The Whistling Swan Inn was built in 1905 by Justice of the Peace, Daniel Best, for his wife, Sarah. Come visit Northwest NJ's finest Victorian Inn Voted Top Ten BB in US by Inn Traveler Magazine |
 | Rent My Camper.com, Inc - Shirley, NY Motor Home Campers We'll Hook You Up with all the comforts of home including heat and AC. We deliver, setup and pickup. Our campers sleep up to 10. Just bring your food and clothes we've covered everything else, even clean linens and towels Camper is supplied with pots, pans, plates, bowls, cups, utensils, all your kitchen needs. |
Get directions
to this park:
 | Peters Valley Craft Center - Layton , NJ Arts/Cultural/Drama Peters Valley is a non-profit education center and gallery for craft arts. Tour the studios on weekends during summer. Workshops May to September, 2 to 5 days. Expert instructors from US and abroad. Commute or sleep over for a mini-vacation close-to-home. Wood turning, weaving, jewelry, ceramics, blacksmithing, photography, papermaking, beading and more.
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Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
November 24 Morris County Great Swamp Outdoor Educat by NJUrbanForest

Check out a description of the Morris County Great Swamp Outdoor Educational Center!
http://njurbanforest.com/2012/11/24/morris-countys-great-swamp-outdoor-education-center/
Plenty of Pictures!!!!
| Area Campgrounds |
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| Area Fishing Related Businesses |
| Scag's Bait & Tackle 50 Fort Pl # A1b Staten Island, NY (718) 727-7373

| Zimmer Fish & Game Conservation Assoc 4411 Arthur Kill Rd Staten Island, NY (718) 948-9599

| Michael's Bait & Tackle Shop 187 Mansion Ave Staten Island, NY (718) 984-9733

| Biggie's Bait & Tackle 65 Page Ave Staten Island, NY (718) 966-9206

| Lady Kim Charters 16 Sheraden Avenue Staten Island, NY (718) 698-6582

| Captains Marine Mercury & Force Outboards 202 Mansion Ave Staten Island, NY (718) 984-3346

| Big Al's Bait & Tackle 7407 Amboy Rd Staten Island, NY (718) 605-6907

| Capt Pauls Charters 81 Detroit Ave Staten Island, NY (718) 966-6990

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| Area Resorts and Lodging |
| Clarion Inn 11 Cedar Grove Lane Somerset, NJ (732) 563-1000

| Hidden Valley Resort 44 Breakneck Rd Vernon, NJ (973) 764-4200

| Resort Club Inc 3 Telemark Dr Vernon, NJ (973) 209-4362

| Hotel Richmond 71 Central Ave Staten Island, NY (718) 447-8445

| Minerals Resort & Spa 2 Chamonix Dr Vernon, NJ (973) 827-2222

| Resort Club at the Great Gorge State Rt 94 Vernon, NJ (973) 827-8000

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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.
 | Peters Valley Craft Center Store - Layton , NJ Arts Crafts The store at Peters Valley Craft Center offers original handcrafted art, jewelry, clothing, ceramics, and home furnishings. Unique items from over 300 artists offer distinctive ideas to embellish the home, treat yourself,
or to select for a gift. Visit the Gallery upstairs for our latest exhibit of fine art craft.
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