Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

Small wings, big work 🦋 Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds keep the world blooming.

Nearly every fruit, flower, and crop we enjoy depends on pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, bats, and hummingbirds. National wildlife refuges give them the meadows and prairies they need, while also providing critical habitat for thousands of species, improving quality of air and water, and reducing erosion. Find your refuge https://ow.ly/IRIm50ZXytv

USFWS photo of monarchs roosting by Mike Budd

10/13/2026

We’re celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week!

09/11/2026

Richard J. Guadagno was one of the passengers aboard United Flight 93 when the hijacked plane bound for San Francisco from Newark, New Jersey, crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11th, 2001. Rich began his 17-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a biologist here in his home state of New Jersey at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The pavilion next to the refuge Visitor Center is dedicated to Rich, with an honorary plaque situated next to it. Please join us in remembering Rich and his sacrifice, as well as all the other victims of that day.

09/09/2026

The restrooms at the WOC are temporarily unavailable, we apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. If needed, there are multiple restrooms located at the Visitor Center and the Bluebird Parking Lot on Pleasant Plains Road.

09/02/2026

Adventure awaits!
Sat, 9/19: 10 am-4 pm: Scavenger Hunt
Sun, 9/20: 10 am-1:30 pm: Scavenger Hunt | 2-3 pm: Celebration Event & Raffle Drawing

Join us for a fun, free community event, brought to you by the Great Swamp Partners! Play solo or team up with friends and family. The Treasures of the Swamp Scavenger Hunt launches September 19, and the Great Swamp is your playground! Unleash your inner explorer for an afternoon or weekend (it’s up to you) of riddle-solving and treasure-seeking across 7 beautiful natural spaces. Your clue booklet holds the secrets and each site unlocks the answers.

Adventure awaits! Sat, 9/19: 10 am-4 pm: Scavenger Hunt Sun, 9/20: 10 am-1:30 pm: Scavenger Hunt | 2-3 pm: Celebration Event & Raffle Drawing Join us for a fun, free community event, brought to you by the Great Swamp Partners! Play solo or team up with friends and family. The Treasures of the Swamp....

08/26/2026

The Wildlife Observation Center will remain temporarily closed to visitor access through Friday August 28th as the habitat restoration contractors from this past winter complete their work improving the habitat for a variety of wetland species, including waterfowl. Thank you for your patience and understanding and please use this time to visit the other wonderful trails on the refuge

08/19/2026

A reminder that the Wildlife Observation Center will be closed to visitor access from Monday August 24th - Wednesday August 26th as the habitat restoration contractors from this past winter complete their work improving the habitat for a variety of wetland species, including waterfowl. Thank you for your patience and understanding and please use this time to visit the other wonderful trails on the refuge!

08/06/2026

Our staff and volunteers had a wonderful time working on trail maintenance and invasive flora removal with the youth from Groundwork Elizabeth and Groundwork Hudson Valley today. The nearly 60 youth hand-pulled non-native mugwort, as well as helped to clear some of the storm-damaged trees and branches away from the WOC trails. They enjoyed the afternoon with archery lessons and a presentation on wildlife trafficking from the wildlife inspectors based out of the nearby port of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Thank you to the Friends of Great Swamp NWR for a delicious lunch!

08/06/2026

The Wildlife Observation Center will be closed to visitor access from Monday August 24th - Wednesday August 26th as the habitat restoration contractors from this past winter complete their work improving the habitat for a variety of wetland species, including waterfowl. Thank you for your patience and understanding and please use this time to visit the other wonderful trails on the refuge!