The Bergen Swamp had been on my “must-visit” list for a while. It just never was the right time. When we finally decide to visit, it was truly a wonderful surprise. Many people hear the word swamp and are immediately turned off. They picture hordes of mosquitos and bugs chasing through boggy wetlands.
The Bergen Swamp is nothing like that. It was early Spring so the path was pretty muddy and spongy in some spots. What I found most astonishing was how green it was. It was a gorgeous evergreen forest that went as far as the eye could see. We weren’t being swamped by bugs and it was just one of the most peaceful places I had visited in a long time.
Hiking
While the entire preserve is approximately 2,000 acres, visitors will only be able to hike a small portion of this. At the moment there appears to be only a single trail that runs through the swamp. It will take you about a mile in and then abruptly ends. The land from that point forward is posted as private.
There definitely are wet, muddy spots along the trail but you will also find the worst of them are covered with wooden planks. Proper footwear is a must in this preserve, especially in the spring or after a heavy rain.
I think the name “swamp” is very misleading as there was very little water. We came across a few streams and “wet” areas but there was nothing that resembled a traditional swamp or wetlands. Interestingly, Berger Swamp was at one time an ancient glacial lake. Today, Bergen Swamp is a dense hardwood forest. The Swamp is home to many rare and endangered plants. Over 2,392 species of plants have been found within the swamp. The area is especially known for its orchids.
This was a gorgeous place to hike and what was more astounding is how deserted it was there. We had the place to ourselves. This was a great destination, especially in early spring. The forest is largely populated with evergreens, so when the rest of the world is brown, the Bergen Swamp is bathed in green.
Wildlife
The Bergen Swamp is home to unique wildlife such as the endangered Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Red Salamanders, the endangered Queen Snake, and Spotted Turtles. If you fear snakes, don’t worry, it is unusual to just run into these animals. We didn’t encounter any snakes during our hike and we were actively looking for them.
Bird Watching
If you enjoy bird watching, this is a destination to add to your bucket list. The Bergen Swamp is the singular breeding ground of several species of birds such as the Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Purple Finch Alder Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler, Canada Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, and Black-and-white Warbler.
The Bergen Swamp is also home to several species of owls, such as the Eastern Screech Owls, the Great Horned, Barred Owls, Northern Sawwhet Owls, and Longeared Owls.
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark is a government program that assists in the conservation and preservation of unique natural environments. Bergen Swamp was the first place to be recognized as a National Natural Landmark in New York State in 1964. Since then, 27 other places throughout the state have joined this prestigious list.
I have plans to visit this amazing preserve again in the summer. Spring was so amazing, I can only imagine what Summer would look like when the growth fills in and the wildflowers are blooming.
Getting to Bergen Swamp
This is not an easy place to find. We entered “Bergen Swamp” into our Google Maps and it sent us to someone’s driveway, miles away from the Swamp. We then had to go find it the old fashion way. We will make it easier for you. Here is the address for you to plug into your GPS
6646 Hessenthaler Road
Byron
The Swamp is located at the end of a dead-end road. Be sure that you pull all the way down and park in the small parking lot. Visitors are welcome to the swamp, however, if you plan to visit in a large group (6 or more people), you will want to request permission first.
