Welcome to the Friends of Great Swamp NWR Website
Our independent, non-profit organization is committed to protecting and supporting Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The 8,000 acre Refuge, located in Morris County, New Jersey, provides excellent recreational opportunities for visitors as well as protecting valuable habitat for wildlife. Look here for upcoming events, things to do, and ways you can help.
Refuge Status Report
The Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center is open Tuesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday through Sunday 10am to 4pm. The Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, including the Annual Pass, the Senior Pass and the Disabilities Pass, are not available for sale at Great Swamp NWR. Interpretive tours are available for small groups including school classes, scout groups, and other youth and adult organizations. To arrange for a group visit, contact Jared Green, Refuge Specialist at jared_green@fws.gov.
Upcoming Events
Friday Walks with Friends
Treasures of the Swamp Scavenger Hunt – Free
Treasures of the Swamp Scavenger Hunt – Free
Celebration Event & Raffle Drawing @ Morris County Park
Stay Informed
Our monthly email newsletter “Happenings” will bring you current information on events at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and other items of interest. Delivered right to your email in-box so you won’t miss a thing.
Enter The 2025 Refuge Photo Contest
Your entries help add to our library of over 1500+ photos. Photos are used on the website, Swamp Scene newsletter, Happenings eNews, Facebook pages, displays, interpretive signs, presentations, and publications by the Friends and the Refuge. Additionally, photos are used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Previous years’ photos were even used in the NK PBS Treasures episode about Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge!
To enter, go to the 2025 Refuge Photo Contest Entry Form.
Deadline for submissions is July 4, 2025.
The Great Swamp featured on NJ PBS!
Second Sunday with Friends Sunday, May 11, 1:30-3pm
Who Goes There? – with Judi DiMaio
Fresh tracks in the snow or mud…have you ever wondered who made them? Did they run through or walk leisurely? Where were they going? Were they alone? What were they doing? Join Refuge volunteer Judi DiMaio to learn how to read tracks, some common tracks you may find here at Great Swamp NWR, and how the environment can affect them. Maybe even Bigfoot? Has one ever been seen here? Be a “Nature Detective”!
May’s program with be in-person or via Zoom. Registration is required. ttsu.me/tracks
In-person will be held at Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center Pavilion, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ 07920
The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants on Sunday, May 11 at noon.
Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Martha Heflin Foundation.
Click here to go the full list of recent sightings on the eBird website.