Sometimes it cuts through thick pitch pine forests. Sometimes there are wide expanses of wetlands. Occasionally you’ll find a field of wildflowers growing along the sandy beaches. But no matter which stretch of the Mullica River is your favorite, the 55 mile river ranks high as a favorite spot.

The Mullica River is one of those special places that really does offer something for everyone. Deep in the heart of the Wharton State Forest, the Batsto Natural Area that borders the Mullica is a favorite spot for campers. Fans of water recreation can launch canoes, kayaks and motorboats at various locations along the river. And if you don’t have a boat of your own, not to worry. There are numerous outfitters up and down the Mullica who can set you up with all the equipment you need for a gentle afternoon on the water. And we do mean gentle. The current is slow and easy making it a favorite spot for families who want to enjoy an afternoon of paddling.

Hikers have found the trails that wind along its banks to be great spots for watching wildlife and finding plants and foliage that are unique to the Pinelands. Bring your binoculars because the area is rife with dozens of species of birds and water fowl who flock to its salty, brackish and freshwater marshes. Raptors nest and forage in its tidal marshes. Bald eagles and Golden eagles hang out here during the winter. And during migration season, the skies above the Mullica are thick with hundreds of species of passerines and waterfowl.

For centuries, the Mullica River has fed the small towns that grew inland and many of those main street communities still thrive, combining small town charm with years of natural and industrial history.