Description

Nestled in the heart of the Pinelands National Reserve, Wharton State Forest offers a chance to experience the unique Pine Barrens ecosystem with a variety of natural and historic activities. Visitors may enjoy scenic hiking trails, canoeing or kayaking, exploring historic Batsto Village, swimming and picnicking at Atsion Recreation Area during the summer, fishing, bicycling, bird watching, camping, and more.

Geography:

With over 125,000 acres, Wharton State Forest is the largest State Forest in the New Jersey State Park System. We are conveniently located near a number of major metropolitan areas: approximately 30 minutes from Atlantic City, an hour from Philadelphia, an hour and a half from Trenton and two hours from New York City.

Recreation:

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the Atsion Recreation Area within Wharton State Forest offers a swimming beach staffed with lifeguards. Restrooms and shower facilities are available to the public during this time.

Atsion Recreation Area also offers picnic tables and charcoal grills available on a first-come, first-serve basis, a short nature trail, canoe/kayak launch area, two playgrounds and an open playfield.

Wharton State Forest is home to many interesting plants and animals, some which are unique to the Pinelands ecosystem. Visitors will enjoy traversing our hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails. More than half of the 50+ mile long Batona Trail runs through Wharton State Forest. Other ways to enjoy the Forest include boating, paddling and fishing on our numerous rivers and lakes.

Boaters can launch into the Mullica River at the Crowleys Landing boat launch. Launch fees are charged from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and are collected at the Batsto visitor center. Frequent boaters may purchase an annual launch permit from the office, a convenient alternative to the daily fees.

Facilities:

Our main office is located in the visitor center at Batsto Village, a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center from 1766 to 1867 that currently reflects the agricultural and commercial enterprises that existed here during the late 19th century. Visitors to Batsto Village can imagine what life was like over 150 years ago through exploring the original buildings from the 1800’s. Mansion tours, Sawmill and Blacksmithing demonstrations, and other interpretive historic programs are offered seasonally; please call the office at (609) 561-0024 for the schedule or more information. Along with the historic programs, the Annie M. Carter Nature Center offers guided nature hikes and various nature-themed interpretive programs year-round. For more information, please call the Nature Center at (609) 567-4559.

For campers, we offer 9 different campgrounds located throughout the Forest, and 9 rustic cabins situated on Atsion Lake.

Atsion Family Campground has 50 tent and trailer sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to flush toilets and shower facilities, open April 1st-October 31st. Located on Atsion Lake, across from the recreation area.

Godfrey Bridge Campground has 34 primitive tent and trailer sites, with fire rings, access to potable drinking water and pit toilet facilities. Located along the Wading River.

Hawkins Bridge Campground has 9 primitive tent sites and 4 group sites, with access to potable drinking water and pit toilet facilities. Located along the Wading River.

Goshen Pond Campground offers 14 primitive tent sites, 2 tent or trailer sites, and 3 group sites, with access to potable drinking water and pit toilet facilities. Located along the Mullica River at Goshen Pond. These sites have no flush toilets or showers, and use of the Atsion Family Campground facilities is prohibited.

Buttonwood Hill Campground offers 5 primitive tent and trailer sites with fire rings. Pit toilet facilities, no access to drinking water. Located on Rt. 542, across the street from Crowleys Landing Boat Launch.

Batona Campground offers 12 primitive tent and trailer sites and 1 group site. Access to potable drinking water, pit toilet facilities. Located in the northern part of the Forest near the Carranza Memorial and along the Batona Trail.

Lower Forge Campground has 9 tent sites and is only accessible by hiking or paddling. Access to pit toilets, no drinking water. Located along the Batona Trail and Batsto River.

Mullica Campground has 10 tent sites, and is only accessible by hiking or paddling. Access to pit toilets and potable drinking water. Located along the Mullica River and Mullica River trail.

Bodine Campground has access to pit toilets and potable drinking water. This campground must be reserved through our field office.

The 9 Atsion cabins are a blend of rustic and modern amenities. Each cabin has a full bathroom, a kitchen with a refrigerator and electric stove, an indoor fireplace, an outdoor fire ring, a picnic table and charcoal grill. All cabins are along Atsion Lake, and sleep 4, 6, or 8 people depending on the specific cabin. Cabins are open April 1st-October 31st, and there is a 2 night minimum stay in April and May until Memorial Day weekend, and after Labor Day weekend until the end of October. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, the cabins are rented on a weekly basis.

Our Atsion office is open seasonally from April 1st-October 31st. Housed in the former general store of Atsion Village, visitors can obtain hiking trail maps, information about the Forest, and camping permits. Visitors may also inquire about tours of the newly-renovated Atsion Mansion, located conveniently next door. For Atsion Mansion tour schedules and information about the Recreation Area or campgrounds, please call the Atsion Office at (609) 268-0444.

Nearby Attractions:

Franklin Parker Preserve, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Tuckerton Seaport, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, Historic Smithville Village, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Noyes Museum of Art - Oceanville, Wheaton Arts