Outdoor Events

November’s full moon is known as the “Beaver Moon.” According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Algonquin Native Americans and American colonists called the November moon the “Beaver Moon” because “this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.” Join Great Swamp Watershed Association as we hike the moonlit trails, and listen for nighttime creatures. The open canopy cover and bright moonlight provide the perfect backdrop to hear and spot owls, as they become more active for the mating season. Registration required.  Register online or call (973) 538-3500.   Please note this address is approximate: Barrett Field contains the parking lot. Please use this lot for parking.

Walk off that Thanksgiving meal with a family-friendly hike through wetland fields and meadows alongside the meandering Passaic River and Cory's Brook. Birders, grab your binoculars and some friends, and come take advantage of this highly acclaimed birding location! Led by GSWA Education Associate, Dan Ross, this is generally a wet location so guests are encouraged to wear boots and clothing that may get muddy. Please dress for the weather and feel free to bring a snack and some water. Registration is required.

Grab your camera, or your art journal for a walk on the wild side- Wildlife Refuge side, that is! We will focus on looking at nature through the lens of art- whether that is a physical lens of a camera, or a metaphorical lens.  Let nature be your muse on on this natural history exploration through the Management Area of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. We will help spark your imagination to get those creative juices flowing as you practice your art journaling, sketching, and 5-minute inspirations. With your permission, we will display the finished artworks on our website. This is a great way to get in the right mindset for the winter season. We will meet at the Bluebird Parking Lot (midway between the Refuge Headquarters and the Helen Fenske Visitor center on the right hand side if heading North.) Registration required.

Join us on this special GSWA "Members Only" hike at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.  This will be an exciting opportunity for us to seek out wildlife as it prepares for the coming winter. Come see the beautiful winter stalks of a variety of plants that call the refuge home. Many different species of wildfowl will be found making their winter homes in the impoundments of the Great Swamp Refuge, along with mammals such as coyote and fox. Resident birds will also be busy searching for seeds and berries throughout the area. We will be on the lookout for all of this, as we take in the beauty of the amazing lands that form part of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Management area. Dress warmly, and enjoy the cusp of winter. Registration required. We will meet at the Bluebird Parking Lot on Pleasant Plains Road. The bluebird lot is approx. 1.5 miles down Pleasant Plains Rd past the Helen C. Fenske Visitors Center. If you have any questions, you may call our hike leader, Dan Ross, at 908-892-7253

Gather up your family and join us on our first-ever hike at our newly preserved 20-acre property in Harding Township. It’s a great way to walk off some post-holiday calories. We’ve wasted no time adding mileage to the Silverbrook Trail, incorporating this new property into our existing Conservation Management Area (CMA). Come explore this newly expanded trail system with our newest Education Associate, Adam Palmer, who is very knowledgeable about winter wildlife and plants. We will also venture onto the newly laid-out Harding Land Trust trails which also connect to the CMA. Dress warmly for the weather because this hike is on, rain, snow, or shine! No dogs for this hike, please. Registration is required.

Shake off the winter blues with Education Associate, Dan Ross, as we stroll along the banks of the frozen Rockaway River! Rivaled only by the Great Falls of Paterson, these falls were once the cornerstone of a thriving industry at the turn of the century. While there is no longer any active industry along its banks, visitors sometimes discover relics of the park’s industrial past! This will be an easy, one-mile hike, perfect for wintertime exploring along this powerful tributary of the Passaic River! We will meet at the Boonton Farmers Market parking lot at 2 Plane St., Boonton. Registration is required. Register online or call 973-538-3500.

WE'RE SORRY - THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!  We promise this hike will only take place once, despite it being Groundhog Day. But you will wish you could experience it again and again. Lewis Morris Park is a fantastic location for a night hike; rich with screech owl habitat, and with a mix of trails and roads to walk no matter what the conditions.  We will kick things off right with hot cocoa and homemade s’mores. We want to make sure you'll be fueled up for the hike. February 2nd is also Candlemas - an ancient Celtic festival marking triumph of light over darkness; the midpoint of the winter season. C'mon out and join us! Conditions might be cold and muddy – please dress accordingly. The hike will have some rolling terrain on trail and road. You’ll enjoy some much-deserved hot chocolate and s’mores at the end of the hike, but feel free to bring along your own water and snacks. Directions From Mendham Road (Old Rt. 24) – turn into the main park entrance “Doe Meadow Road” Bear right at the “Y” to remain on Doe Meadow Road Stay on Doe Meadow Road, passing the Deer Run, Doe Meadow, […]

Tired of being trapped indoors? Are your kids in need of an activity to burn off pent-up energy? Gather up your family and head outside to breathe in some crisp fresh air! GSWA Education Associate, Dan Ross, is leading a family-friendly adventure through the snowy forest where you, our nature detectives, will seek out signs of animal behaviors, and the telltale traces they leave behind. Everyone will be on the lookout for animal tracks, working together to identify the various critters, and discover where the tracks may lead. We will also talk about their winter-time activities, and some of the ways they endure throughout the coldest months of the year, in anticipation of the spring thaw. Fun for all ages. Please remember to dress for the weather. Waterproof boots are strongly encouraged. Bring a snack and water if you like.   Registration is required. Register online or call 973-538-3500. We will meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of Tiger Lily Lane at the GSWA Conservation Management Area.

Come hike the trails of the Wildlife Observation Center under a new moon, when the stars are at their brightest! A new moon is the first lunar phase, which means the it will not be visible at all. But don't worry, just because it's dark out doesn't mean the inhabitants of the woods have gone to sleep. During this guided hike, we will take advantage of the quiet, crisp February air by listening for the nighttime creatures of Harding Township, like owls, as they become more active for the mating season. Dress for the weather - waterproof boots are recommended. Registration is required.   Directions to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Observation Center (WOC) Parking Area:  Heading North on Long Hill Road, Harding, WOC entrance is 1.8 miles on the left. From Lee's Hill Road, turn South onto Long Hill Road, continue 2 miles, WOC is on the right.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day and Spring is just 3 days away! Put some hiking shoes on your feet, gather up your family, and join us on our “Downstream Adventures” hiking series at the Watchung Reservation. There’s lots to see and explore as we hike alongside the Blue Brook. We will take in the scenic gorges and the remnants of the deserted village of Feltville. This hike wouldn't be complete without taking a moment to marvel at the beauty of Lake Surprise. Registration required.