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Great Egg Harbor River: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee
None[1]

Great Egg Harbor River is a unit of the National Park System in New Jersey[2]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Great Egg Harbor River[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS gives the river location in Estell Manor Park and asks visitors to call (609) 625-1897 to check hours[3]. NPS describes the weather as temperate, with the Atlantic Ocean softening the extremes[4]. NPS also links a seven-day NOAA forecast and tide information for Mays Landing[4]. Check both before you paddle or fish.

Pets and dogs

Under the national NPS pet rule, pets that are allowed must be kept in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less[5]. Pets are kept out of public buildings, public transportation and designated swimming beaches, though service animals are excepted[5]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check with the park[5].

Before you go

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee for Great Egg Harbor River?
NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].
What can you do at Great Egg Harbor River?
NPS lists activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing, birdwatching and picnicking[6].
Are dogs allowed at Great Egg Harbor River?
Pets that are allowed must be in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less[5]. The park may close more areas to pets[5].
What are the hours at Great Egg Harbor River?
NPS says the river location is in Estell Manor Park and to call (609) 625-1897 for hours[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NPS lists Great Egg Harbor River as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
  2. Great Egg Harbor River is a unit of the U.S. National Park System in New Jersey. National Park Service
  3. Operating 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... National Park Service
  4. NPS weather and seasons overview for Great Egg Harbor River. National Park Service
  5. National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
  6. Activities NPS lists for Great Egg Harbor River: Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hiking, Hunting and Gathering, Hunting, Paddling,... National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.