Hike on boardwalks through a swamp to observe wildlife in this interesting park.
2.0 miles. Terrain is level, very easy to easy, many boardwalks. The majority of this trail is ADA accessible.
| 2.0 miles | This hike guide: Detailed instructions, photos, and video follow below. |
| Same park | Great Swamp – Blue Trail; Great Swamp – Orange Trail. |
| Nearby | Watchung Reservation – History Trail; Watchung Reservation – Sierra Trail; South Mountain Reservation – Hemlock Falls via Lenape and Rahway; Hemlock Falls Loop; South Mountain Fairy Trail; Jockey Hollow – Grand Loop; Jockey Hollow – Grand Parade Loop. |
Note: The trail systems are not connected in the Great Swamp, there are multiple areas to hike but you’ll need to drive to a 2nd trail to do a longer hike.
Updated: 12/2021 – Minor edits; not re-hiked.
Map:
Paper map was at the Wildlife Observation Center, or you can print it from the links above.
Parking: N40.71257° W74.48730°
Wildlife Observation Center Access Rd, Gillette, NJ 07933. More detailed directions on the park site. Plenty of parking at the Observation Center lot.
Restrooms:
At the Wildlife Observation Center. The restrooms are down a path, marked on the park map.
Hike Directions:
You can’t get lost here, all routes lead back to the lot. Just follow the boardwalks.
We went RIGHT first, past the restrooms.
To Sportsmen Blind.
Then to Friends Blind.
Backtrack to the other half… to Garden Club blind.
Then on the way back, hang right to get back to the lot via a different route than you came.
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Hiked: 10/16/16. w/ Orange – Green
Hiked: 9/19/10. Trail Blog: “Great Swamp in September“