Small-town Mullica living near the river in the Pinelands
When most people think of Atlantic County, they think first of its namesake ocean; about 20 miles from New Jersey’s South Shore, Mullica is a rural township that shares a name with its own recreation-ready waterfront. “Mullica’s got more of the woodsy and river stuff to do,” says Shawn O’Brien, franchise owner at Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore, who’s specialized in South Jersey for 24 years. “People ride their quads and motorbikes out in the woods. There are miles and miles of pine barrens out there.” Away from the Mullica River, the White Horse Pike connects this pocket of deep country to the Jersey Shore, Philadelphia and a suburban small-town center that sprang up around a historic railroad industry. Over generations, Mullica’s local organizations and families have built up holiday traditions, sports leagues and local business life, creating a close-knit core deep in New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve.
Getting outside in Wharton State Park and at township parks
The Mullica River makes up Mullica’s northern border, often dotted with kayaks and motorboats launched from public and private docks that stud its banks. Wharton State Forest covers thousands of acres of the Pinelands National Reserve, hiding miles of hiking trails and spots for fishing in the woods within and just outside Mullica. Batsto Village is just across the river, the remains of a Revolutionary War-era industrial center that’s one of the most popular attractions within the state forest. Farther from the river, the Mullica Township Recreation Fields host families ready to spend time on the playground or attend a Mullica Township Recreation Association youth sports game. Hunters stalk through the pines or practice at the shooting range at the 11,000-acre-plus Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area. Atlantic City is the closest South Shore town for a beach day, roughly 25 miles from home.
Single-family homes in the woods and on the Mullica River
The pine barrens surround Mullica’s scattered pockets of single-family homes. Near the railroad tracks that parallel the White Horse Pike, neighbors live close together on tree-shaded suburban blocks lined by bungalows, ranch-style and Minimal Traditional houses. Everything from cabins to colonials to luxury New Traditional homes settles in the Sweetwater area, desirable for its position snaking along the Mullica River. In between these denser developments, houses hide far back on acreage in the woods and along the Mullica River's narrow tributaries. “Mullica offers privacy. My dad used to say to me growing up, ‘I don’t want to be able to sit on my neighbor.’ I kind of like the tree-lined streets; they remind me of 1960s America. ... Buyers love both for their own reasons,” O’Brien says. Homes on suburban lots or a small acreage can sell for around $110,000 to $530,000. Houses built on upward of five acres or with private waterfront access can sell for about $360,000 to $890,000.
Attending Mullica Township and Greater Egg Harbor Regional schools
Mullica is served by the Mullica Township School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Both Mullica Township Elementary School and Mullica Township Middle School earn a C-plus grade. Older students can attend A-minus-rated Cedar Creek High School through the A-minus-rated Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District. Cedar Creek offers magnet programs for high schoolers interested in engineering and environmental science, as well as dual enrollment courses through institutions like Stockton University.
Business life on White Horse Pike and in Hammonton
The White Horse Pike is Mullica’s main commercial strip, lined with both chain and local businesses. No. 79 Restaurant, Bar and Liquor Store is known for serving pub fare with a Polish twist. Dollar General is the closest place to get groceries. Some of the township’s eateries are far from the highway, set along the banks of the Mullica River. Boaters dock at Sweetwater Marina & Riverdeck, ready to enjoy dinner, drinks and live music paired with views of the water. Hammonton is about 7 miles from Mullica, offering both a walkable downtown business district full of mom-and-pops and big box stores like Walmart and ShopRite.
Holiday events with Mullica Township groups
First responders and other volunteers set up family-friendly activities at the Mullica Township Recreation Fields each August during National Night Out. The Mullica Township Tree Lighting returns to town hall in the winter, a night full of Christmas lights, the sound of carols performed by the township’s student musicians and the chuckles of Santa Claus when he stops by for a visit. Several houses of worship hold religious services in Mullica, including Pinelands United Methodist Church.
Taking the White Horse Pike and NJ Transit to AC and Philly
The White Horse Pike connects Mullica to Atlantic City, around 20 miles away, and Philadelphia, about 40 miles in the other direction. Neighboring Egg Harbor City and Hammonton have NJ Transit train stations, offering an alternative way to travel between the South Shore and Philadelphia. NJ Transit buses stop along White Horse Pike between Lindenwold and Atlantic City. AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus is about 10 miles away. Atlantic City International Airport is roughly 15 miles from home.
![Julia Szymanski]()
Written By
Julia Szymanski
![Vincent Mauriello]()
Photography Contributed By
Vincent Mauriello
