Blue Moon Hike at the Refuge

Experience the Great Swamp like never before under the rare glow of a Blue Moon. While the moon won’t actually change color, this celestial event occurs when a single calendar month—in this case, May 2026—features two full moons instead of one. Because the lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, the timing occasionally “laps” our 31-day months, giving us a “bonus” full moon that only appears once every two to three years.

We’ll explore the vibrant nocturnal world of the swamp—listening for the chorus of cicadas and spring peepers, watching for the silhouettes of owls, and soaking in the serene atmosphere of the marsh after dark. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with the watershed during a truly “once in a blue moon” moment.

Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a reusable water bottle and snacks if you so choose. Registration is required.

IMPORTANT — WAIVER: Per our special use permit, the refuge is asking for the hike participants to fill out a liability form before attending. Please complete and email this form to ifilippini@greatswamp.org when you register for this hike. 

Please email Izzy (ifilippini@greatswamp.org) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 3/2/2026 at 3:00 PM.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due to a health emergency. Unused registration fees may be converted into a tax-deductible donation.