Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Weather Small Craft Advisory issued November 8 at 8:51PM EST until November 9 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Mount Holly NJ

* WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 kt and seas 3 to 6 ft expected.

* WHERE...Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ

out 20 NM, Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg

Inlet NJ out 20 NM and Coastal waters from Little Egg Inlet to

Great Egg Inlet NJ out 20 NM.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM EST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

What to do: Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

Read the full alert · Until Nov 10, 2026, 12:00 AM

Overview

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

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • 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

Plan your visit

Hours

Great Egg Harbor River Hours: 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.

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/

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Sun setting over the river.
Gibson Creek · NPS Photo
School group examines a fish held by the instructor.
Floating Classrooms · Akers
Winding river surrounded by grasslands on a cloudy day.
Great Egg Harbor River · Palmer
Medium sized Osprey in a next along the river
Tuckahoe Osprey · NPS Photo

Pair it with