Great Egg Harbor River is a park service site run by the National Park Service in New Jersey.
In the park service’s words
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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Fees and hours
Entrance fee: No entrance fee.
Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The Great Egg Harbor River is a 55.0-mile-long (88.5 km) river in southern New Jersey in the United States. It is one of the major rivers that traverse the largely pristine Pinelands, draining 308 square miles (800 km2) of wetlands into the Atlantic Ocean at Great Egg Harbor, from which it takes its name. At river location in Estell Manor Park - please check (609) 625-1897 for hours.
Getting there
Estell Manor Park, where visitors can see the Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River, is located 3.5 miles South of Mays Landing, New Jersey, off of Route 50. It is approximately 17 miles west of Atlantic City. There is a stamper for Passport Stamp Books at the Fox Nature Center, and a stamp can be obtained at the mailing address provided below.
| Airport | City | Drive to the park | Straight-line miles | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) | Atlantic City, NJ | No road route | 11 | Regional |
| Dover Civil Air Terminal/Dover Air Force Base (DOV) | Dover, DE | No road route | 45 | Regional |
| Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) | Philadelphia, PA | No road route | 50 | Large hub |
Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.
Miles are straight-line distances.
Weather
Temperate, with a moderating influence of the Atlantic Ocean. NOAA Weather Seven-Day Forecast for Mays Landing, New Jersey: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.4521478&lon=-74.7275318 Tide information for Mays Landing, Great Egg Harbor River, New Jersey: https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/new-jersey/mays-landing-great-egg-harbor-river-nj/tides/
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Know before you go
Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.
Nearby
The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 206 miles away in a straight line.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee at Great Egg Harbor River?
No entrance fee.
Where is Great Egg Harbor River?
In New Jersey. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Atlantic City International Airport, about 11 miles away.
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