Local History Museum
Tunis-Ellicks House Museum
The circa-1795 East Jersey cottage at 16 Village Road is headquarters of the Harding Township Historical Society. Exhibits interpret early farm life, local families and Harding history.
Visit Harding Township · Morris County
Visiting & Lodging
Harding Township is best experienced as a quiet outdoor and heritage destination rather than a conventional tourist town. New Vernon provides the historic village center, while protected landscapes at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Jockey Hollow and Loantaka Brook Reservation create exceptional opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, cycling, photography and Revolutionary War history.
There is no major hotel district within Harding, which helps preserve its rural character. Most overnight visitors stay in nearby Morristown, Madison, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge or other surrounding communities and use Harding as a day-trip or event destination.
Visitor HighlightsGreat Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Jockey Hollow
Bayne Park
Loantaka Brook Reservation
Historic New Vernon
Tunis-Ellicks House Museum
Tramp House
Rural drives & preserved landscapes
Nearby Morristown lodging
Jockey Hollow
Bayne Park
Loantaka Brook Reservation
Historic New Vernon
Tunis-Ellicks House Museum
Tramp House
Rural drives & preserved landscapes
Nearby Morristown lodging
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Swamp is Harding's defining natural landscape and one of northern New Jersey's premier wildlife destinations. The refuge protects roughly 12 square miles of wetlands, forest and grassland and provides close to 11½ miles of foot-access trails, three wildlife observation blinds, an overlook and the Pleasant Plains Road wildlife-viewing corridor.
Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center32 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge. Exhibits, orientation, native plant gardens and short family-friendly trails. Current hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM.
Wildlife Observation Center220 Long Hill Road. Approximately 1½ miles of boardwalks and trails with observation blinds, kiosk and restrooms.
Wilderness AreaAbout 8½ miles of trails provide a more primitive experience. Foot travel only; waterproof footwear is useful in many seasons.
Pleasant Plains RoadA useful auto-viewing route with an overlook parking area and frequent birding opportunities.
Know before you go: the refuge is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Camping, fishing and boating are not permitted. Pets are not allowed on refuge trails, boardwalks or inside the visitor center; they are permitted only along Pleasant Plains Road and in parking areas under current leash rules.
2026 hunting-season awareness: portions of the refuge remain open to hunting during scheduled management seasons. Trails can remain open to non-hunters, and the refuge advises hikers in hunting areas to stay on designated trails and wear blaze orange that is visible from all directions.
Great Swamp Visitor InformationJockey Hollow · Morristown National Historical Park
Part of the Jockey Hollow landscape reaches into Harding Township. This nationally significant Revolutionary War site preserves the winter encampment landscape used by George Washington's Continental Army and connects visitors with miles of wooded trails, reconstructed soldier huts and the historic Wick House.
Jockey Hollow Visitor Center586 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown mailing address. Exhibits and visitor orientation for the Jockey Hollow area.
Soldier HutsReconstructed log huts interpret the difficult winter conditions endured by Continental soldiers.
Wick HouseHistoric farm dwelling connected to the 1779–1780 encampment. Interior access depends on the current NPS operating schedule.
TrailsThe park maintains an extensive hiking network through the encampment landscape and adjoining forest.
Current access: park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Buildings and visitor-center hours are more limited and can vary, so check the National Park Service schedule before planning an indoor visit. Morristown National Historical Park does not charge an entrance fee.
Morristown National Historical ParkBayne Park · New Vernon
Bayne Park is the community green at the heart of New Vernon. Harding resident Howard Bayne donated the land to the Township in 1937, and the 13+ acre park remains one of Harding's most recognizable public landscapes.
Pond & Open LawnThe pond, mature plantings and broad lawn create a quiet place for walking, sitting and informal recreation.
Historic Stone FootbridgesWPA-era stone bridges built in the late 1930s are defining features of the park.
PicnickingPark benches and picnic tables make Bayne Park a useful stop during a New Vernon visit.
Seasonal RecreationTownship planning identifies fishing, bridle-trail use and winter ice skating among traditional park activities, subject to conditions and current rules.
Loantaka Brook Reservation
Loantaka Brook Reservation crosses portions of Harding, Morris Township, Madison and Chatham Township. The Morris County park covers more than 850 acres and provides nearly 10 miles of trails through relatively flat terrain.
Walk & RunThe gentle trail system works well for walking, jogging and family outings.
CyclingMulti-use trails provide one of the easiest nearby places for recreational cycling.
Horseback RidingEquestrian use is part of the reservation's trail network.
Winter UseCross-country skiing is possible when conditions permit.
Historic New Vernon
Historic Structure
The Tramp House
Circa-1870 stone shelter once used by itinerant Civil War veterans and farm workers. It was moved to the Tunis-Ellicks property and preserved by the Historical Society.
Village Landscape
New Vernon Historic District
Historic homes, houses of worship, Bayne Park, civic buildings and rural streetscapes preserve the feel of Harding's traditional village center.
2026 example: the Tunis-Ellicks House Museum opened to the public during the Spring 2026 Pathways of History weekend, with exhibits, a Revolutionary War interpreter and children's colonial craft activities.
Harding Township Historical SocietyOther Harding Recreation Areas
Memorial ParkMunicipal recreation and civic-use property within Harding's park system.
Show GroundsEquestrian-oriented municipal open space on Sand Spring Lane.
Barrett FieldLocal playing field near Bailey's Mill Road used for community recreation.
Rural Road NetworkHarding's countryside and preserved landscapes make scenic driving part of the experience, but many roads are narrow and residential—drive slowly and respect private property.
Where to Stay
Harding Township itself has a very limited conventional lodging inventory. The strongest nearby hotel concentration is in Morristown, with additional choices around Madison/Convent Station, Basking Ridge/Warren, Parsippany and the wider Morris County corridor.
Nearby Hotel · Morristown
Best Western Plus Morristown Inn
Practical South Street location convenient to downtown Morristown and the Jockey Hollow / Harding area.
Nearby Hotel · Downtown Morristown
Hyatt Regency Morristown
Full-service downtown hotel within walking distance of Morristown restaurants, shops and NJ TRANSIT.
Nearby Hotel · Morristown
The Westin Governor Morris
Full-service hotel east of downtown with meeting and event facilities.
Nearby Hotel · Convent Station
The Madison Hotel
Full-service hotel and event property near Madison and Morristown, convenient to the eastern side of Harding.
Free-listing standard: hotel names, addresses and phone numbers are provided for trip planning without direct commercial website links. Website, booking and promotional links are reserved for eligible paid NJTGO placements.
Parking & Getting Around
Great SwampUse designated refuge parking areas only. Pleasant Plains Road, the Visitor Center and Wildlife Observation Center provide the principal visitor-access points.
Jockey HollowUse National Park Service parking lots and obey posted tour-road and gate hours.
New VernonThe village is compact, but Harding is not broadly walkable. Most visits require a car to move between attractions.
Rural RoadsMany Harding roads are narrow, winding and bordered by private property. Avoid roadside parking unless clearly permitted.
No NJ TRANSIT rail station is located in Harding Township. Nearby rail stations include Madison and Convent Station; visitors generally need a car or ride service for the final trip into Harding.
A One-Day Harding Itinerary
Morning · Great SwampStart at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center or Wildlife Observation Center.
Late Morning · New VernonVisit Bayne Park, historic streetscapes and the Tunis-Ellicks property when open.
LunchPick up café food or pizza in Harding, or choose nearby dining in Madison, Morristown or Chatham.
Afternoon · Jockey HollowFinish with Revolutionary War history and a walk through the wooded encampment landscape.
Visitor Planning Tips
- Check official refuge and National Park Service alerts before traveling.
- Bring insect repellent and perform tick checks after wooded or wetland walks.
- Waterproof footwear is useful at Great Swamp in many seasons.
- Cell service can be inconsistent in wooded areas, so save maps in advance.
- Respect private property; much of Harding's attractive countryside is residential or privately conserved land.
- For museums and historic-house interiors, verify open-house or appointment schedules before making a special trip.
Advertise a Harding-Area Visitor Business
Hotels, event venues, dining establishments, tour-related services and other visitor-oriented businesses can use paid NJTGO placement to add direct website or booking links, photos, packages and featured placement.
Visit Harding Township & New Vernon
Protected landscapes, Revolutionary War history and quiet village character make Harding one of Morris County's most distinctive day-trip destinations.
Feature a Visitor Business