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Wharton State Forest
photo of: wharton state park
Photo by William Matulewicz
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Wharton
State Forest

Location:
Atlantic, Burlington and Camden Counties

Mailing Address:
4110 Nesco Road
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Batsto Office: (609) 561-0024
Atsion Office: (609) 268-0444

Size: 115,111 acres

Fees: No entrance fee.
Link to the Related Fees page

Directions:
Wharton State Forest has two offices - one at Batsto Village and one at Atsion Recreation Area. Batsto Village is located on Route 542, eight miles east of Hammonton. Atsion is on Route 206, eight miles north of Hammonton.

Facilities & Activities:
  • Visitors center, exhibit gallery, museum shop, interpretive center
  • Batsto Village
  • Carranza Memorial
  • Trails
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Picnic tables, group picnic facilities, food concession
  • Playgrounds
  • Boating/Canoeing
  • Swimming: (Atsion Lake), bathhouse
  • Cross-country skiing

Trails:

  • Hiking
  • Nature trails
  • Horseback riding
  • Mountain biking
  • Batona Trail
 

 

Wharton State Forest is the largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park System. It is also the site of 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.

Throughout Wharton are rivers and streams for canoeing, hiking trails (including a major section of the Batona Trail), miles of unpaved roads for mountain biking and horseback riding and numerous lakes, ponds and fields ideal for wildlife observation. Bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, marsh hawks, ospreys, great blue herons, swans, screech owls, great-horned owls, bluebirds, hummingbirds, purple martins, goldfinch, turkeys, beavers, river otters, fox and deer are only some of the wildlife the alert visitor can see.

take a virtual tour of batsto village

Keep Your Forest Clean

Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep your parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Bags are provided throughout the site. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.

Batsto Village

This Pine Barrens village consists of thirty-three historic buildings and structures including the Batsto Mansion, gristmill, sawmill, general store, workers' homes and post office. The Batsto Mansion is currently closed for restoration. Check back for updates.

Fees: Entrance fees are only charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

N/A
weekdays
$ 5.00
weekends
N/A
walk-in/bicycle
Link to the Related Fees page 



Batona Trail

This 50-mile trail connects Wharton, Brendon T. Byrne and Bass River State forests. This portion of the Batona Trail is maintained by the NJ State Park Service and the Batona Hiking Club.



Batsto Natural Area (9449 acres)

This natural area is composed of two sections bordering the Batsto and Mullica rivers and contains several forest communities that are representative of New Jersey Pine Barrens.



Oswego River Natural Area (1,927 acres)

Extensive white cedar and pitch pine forests border the Oswego River. This freshwater wetland corridor is home to the rare bog asphodel, Pine Barren boneset, curly grass fern and Pine Barrens treefrog.



Atsion Recreation Area

Swimming* facilities are available at Atsion Recreation Area on Route 206 in Shamong Township. For information, call (609) 268-0444.

* Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty

Fees: Entrance fees are only charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

$ 5.00
weekdays
$ 10.00
weekends
$ 2.00
walk-in/bicycle
Link to the Related Fees page 



Camping

For forms and information on booking a campsite visit our: reservations page

Alcohol is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.

Atsion campsites: 50 tent and trailer sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Potable water, flush toilets and showers are within walking distance. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Trailer sanitary station open April 1 through mid-December. Campsites open April 1 through mid-December. $20 per night.

Atsion Campground Map (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Atsion Campground Map (High resolution for printing purposes) File Size:1,440 KB

Godfrey Bridge: 49 tent and trailer sites (21 feet or less), water, picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Trailers may use trailer sanitary station at Atsion. Campsites open all year. $20 per night.

Godfrey Bridge Campground Map (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Godfrey Bridge Campground Map (High resolution for printing purposes) File Size:109 KB

Wilderness campsites: (group, individual, and family) Bodine Field, Hawkins Bridge, Batona Campsite, Mullica River Wilderness Campsite, and Goshen Pond have hand pumps for water and pit toilets. Buttonwood Hill and Lower Forge sites have no water. Mullica River and Lower Forge are wilderness sites, access by hiking, canoeing or by horseback; motor vehicles are not permitted. All other areas are accessible by motor vehicles. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Campsite capacities vary from 50-250 persons.
Wilderness Campsites:
$1 per person per night

Bodine Field camp area (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Bodine Field camp area (High resolution for printing purposes) File Size:94 KB

 

Goshen Pond camp area (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Goshen Pond camp area (High resolution for printing purposes)
File Size:607 KB
Lower Forge camp area (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Lower Forge camp area (High resolution for printing purposes)
File Size:83 KB
Mullica River camp area (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Mullica River camp area (High resolution for printing purposes)
File Size:81 KB

 

Cabins: Nine furnished cabins with screened porch, fireplace, refrigerator, hot and cold running water, bathroom with toilet and shower; single beds. Cabin #6 contains 2 bunks. All cabins are designed for people with disabilities. Five cabins accommodate 4 people; three cabins accommodate 6 people; 1 cabin accommodates 8 people. Cabins are located on Atsion Lake. Open April 1 through October 31.
Four Person Cabin: $45 per night, $315 per week
Six Person Cabin: $65 per night, $455 per week
Eight Person Cabin: $85 per night, $595 per week

Boating/Canoeing

Mullica River provides excellent boating for electric motors, trailer launch, and cartop launch. Canoeing can also be enjoyed on Mullica, Batsto, Wading and Oswego Rivers.

Launching fees are charged on the Mullica River beginning on Memorial Day weekend and ending on Labor Day inclusive.

Launch Ramp Fees:

$10.00/launch Daily
$55.00 Annual

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Questions regarding our parks and forests can be directed to
Michele Buckley of the State Park Service.

 

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Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2004
Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: December 12, 2007

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