Bear Swamp

Bear Swamp in Cumberland County, southwestern New Jersey, is a swamp and old-growth forest valued for both its ancient woods and its bird habitat. Divided into eastern and western sections by roads and gravel mines, it preserves 215 acres of old-growth forest. Bear Swamp West contains broadleaf swamp forest with notably large black gums, sweetgums, red maples, and American hollies, including trees several centuries old. Bear Swamp East, in Belleplain State Forest, includes similar woodland and remarkable tulip poplars on hummocks. The area also supports many nesting bald eagles, including New Jersey’s oldest continuously occupied nest, and provides breeding habitat for several other important bird species.

New Jersey · United States