The Great Egg Harbor River offers a diverse paddling experience through the New Jersey Pine Barrens, characterized by distinct upper and lower sections. The upper river, from Sicklerville down to Piney Hollow Road, is a wild and strenuous canoe route known for its heavily shaded, swampy environment with many logs and debris requiring occasional portaging or clearing; this section runs through the Winslow Wildlife Management Area. A more relaxed and easier section exists between Penny Pot and Weymouth, where the river cuts through a ridge with high banks and minimal debris. Below Weymouth, the river widens as it approaches Lake Lenape within Atlantic County Park, presenting a panorama of marshes, holly, and cedars. Key public access points include Lake Lenape Park West, Weymouth Furnace, and Sugar Hill Bridge, with other launches noted at Beasley's Point, Somers Point, and within the Atlantic County parks system for small vessels. The water is flat and suitable for canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, with local outfitters like Winding River Campground offering rentals and shuttle services. For a unique experience, bioluminescence is occasionally visible in the late summer and early fall, particularly on calm, dark nights around the new moon, making night paddling popular; safety measures like Coast Guard-approved life jackets and a white stern light are essential for these trips. The overall character varies from isolated, jungle-like wilderness in the upper reaches to wider, more open marshland downstream, providing a quiet escape with significant birdlife and historical sites like the ruins at Weymouth Furnace.