Still river in the winter with leafless trees on either side
Great Egg Harbor River downstream from Mill Street (New Jersey Route 559) in Mays Landing, New Jersey Tim Kiser

Great Egg Harbor River

Federal Recreation Area · New Jersey · National Park Service

Both the harbor and river were named for the shorebird and waterfowl eggs covering their meadows. During the American Revolution, privateers hid here. Established as a National Park Service site in 1992, Great Egg Harbor National Wild and Scenic River is one of nation's best birding spots. Local jurisdictions administer its lands. The 129-mile river system flows through Pinelands National Reserve.

Plan your visit

Know before you go

Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

What's here

Highlights: Animals · Birds · Fish · Climate Change · Estuaries and Mangroves · Forests and Woodlands · Deciduous Forests · Natural Sounds · Night Sky · Astronomy · River and Riparian · Scenic Views · Thickets and Shrublands · Trails · Water Trails · Watersheds · Headwaters · Wetlands · Wilderness

Activities & features: Astronomy · Stargazing · Biking · Boating · Camping · Fishing · Freshwater Fishing · Saltwater Fishing · Food · Picnicking · Guided Tours · Self-Guided Tours - Walking · Hiking · Hunting and Gathering · Hunting · Paddling · Canoeing · Canoe or Kayak Camping · Kayaking · Stand Up Paddleboarding · Tubing · River Tubing · Wildlife Watching · Birdwatching

Photos

  • Sun setting over the river.
    NPS Photo
  • School group examines a fish held by the instructor.
    Akers
  • Winding river surrounded by grasslands on a cloudy day.
    Palmer
  • Medium sized Osprey in a next along the river
    NPS Photo

Nearby parks

Parks of New Jersey

Barnegat Lighthouse State ParkAbram S. Hewitt State ForestDelaware and Raritan Canal State ParkSpruce Run Recreation AreaStephens State ParkParvin State ParkHacklebarney State ParkStokes State ForestCape May Point State ParkWashington Rock State ParkPaulinskill Valley TrailFarny State ParkVoorhees State ParkFort Mott State ParkPenn State ForestWashington Crossing State ParkNorvin Green State ForestRamapo Mountain State ForestBelleplain State ForestNew Jersey Pinelands National ReserveLake Musconetcong State ParkRancocas State ParkWharton State ForestThomas Edison National Historical ParkEllis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National MonumentAllaire State ParkIsland Beach State ParkLiberty State ParkDouble Trouble State ParkCorson's Inlet State ParkMonmouth Battlefield State ParkLong Pond Ironworks State ParkWawayanda State ParkAllamuchy Mountain State ParkWorthington State ForestPigeon Swamp State ParkStow Creek State ParkPaterson Great Falls National Historical ParkDelaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaSwartswood State ParkRingwood State ParkTall Pines State PreserveBass River State ForestCheesequake State ParkRound Valley Recreation AreaSussex Branch TrailHigh Point State ParkJenny Jump State ForestHopatcong State ParkBrendan T. Byrne State ForestPrinceton Battlefield State ParkKittatinny Valley State ParkMorristown National Historical Park

54 parks mapped in New Jersey

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Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12