Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

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SWIMMING ADVISORY: Swimming is only permitted on State Park Service property in designated areas when lifeguards are on duty. Visit the swimming schedule page of our website to stay up to date on when lifeguards will be on duty during the 2023 season.

Atsion Recreation Area Overview

Located at the Northern end of Wharton State Forest, the Atsion Recreation Area is a popular destination for visitors looking to picnic, swim, play and explore.

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.

The Atsion Mansion was built in 1826 as a summer home for Samuel Richards. Richards, who was a prominent ironmaster from Philadelphia, was the operator of the Atsion furnace along the Mullica River. After Richards died in 1842, the property was passed down through his heirs, and finally sold to another Philadelphia merchant, Maurice Raleigh. The Raleigh family was the last to use the mansion as a residence. When Joseph Wharton purchased the property in 1892, he used the mansion for packing and storage for his cranberry production. The state acquired the property in 1955.

The Atsion Mansion was built in 1826 as a summer home for Samuel Richards. Richards, who was a prominent ironmaster from Philadelphia, was the operator of the Atsion furnace along the Mullica River. After Richards died in 1842, the property was passed down through his heirs, and finally sold to another Philadelphia merchant, Maurice Raleigh. The Raleigh family was the last to use the mansion as a residence. When Joseph Wharton purchased the property in 1892, he used the mansion for packing and storage for his cranberry production. The state acquired the property in 1955.

Today the mansion is restored to its 1826 appearance. As such, it does not contain plumbing, electricity or heat other than fireplaces. The home, unfurnished, is offered as an architectural tour, reflecting on the Greek Revival style of the building.

Tickets can be purchased at the Atsion Office and the prices are: $3.00  for adults and children 12 years or older, $1.00 for children 6-11 years old, and free for those 5 years old and under.

Mullica River provides excellent boating for electric motors, trailer launch and car top launch. Canoeing and kayaking can also be enjoyed on Mullica, Batsto, Wading and Oswego Rivers. Canoe/kayak rentals are available on Atsion Lake.

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

Launch Ramp Fees:

New Jersey Resident $12.00 per Launch.
Non-Resident $20.00 per Launch.
Daily
New Jersey Resident $60.00
Non-Resident $80.00
Annual

Campsites:
Fifty 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 October 31. Campsites open year-round.

Cabins:
Nine furnished cabins with screened porch, fireplace, outdoor campfire rings, 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 open May 3rd-October 31st Please visit New Jersey Outdoors (http://www.camping.nj.gov/) for the most current information on camping.

Pet Friendly Campsites:
Atsion family campsites 26 through 34 are designated pet friendly.

Swimming is only permitted during the summer months when lifeguards are on duty. Visitors will find a beach complex containing a changing area, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station and a concession building offering refreshments, novelties and beach supplies. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. During the summer months, the park and swimming area may close temporarily if we reach the maximum capacity for visitors. We advise you to call the park prior to your visit to check the status.

Hiking
Two connected loop trails, Red and Blue, start at the west end of the paved parking lot at the Atsion Recreation area and travel along the south shore of Atsion Lake. Both routes are accessible by wheelchair. The Mullica River trail links the historic New Jersey Pinelands town sites of Atsion and Batsto. The trail route courses through a variety of New Jersey Pinelands forest types and wetlands along the Mullica River. The Beaver Pond trail links the Mullica River Trail to the Batona Trail through pine/oak upland woodlands. The trail provides access to the Lower Forge Wilderness Camp from Atsion as well as a great view of the largest beaver pond along the Mullica River.

Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is permitted on the sand roads throughout Wharton State Forest.

Mountain Biking
Miles of sand roads are available for mountain biking.

Trail Map

Trail Map

Atsion Lake Trail, the site of a former ice packing house, is now the home of Pinelands amphibians and waterfowl. The Mullica River Trail contains wildlife such as beaver, whitetail deer, egret blue heron and the red-tailed hawk.

A NJ State Park Service Special Use Permit is required for various types of short-duration, organized activities and/or events within a state park, forest and/or historic site. Examples of organized activities and/or special events include, but are not limited to press events, commercial photography and/or filming, corporate events, fundraisers, festivals, demonstrations, walkathons and races, concerts, Televised events and/or commercial use of or on State Park Service lands and/or waters. 

To learn more about Special use Permits click here.

Access for Persons with Disabilities
The Atsion Recreation Area recreational and historic facilities are partially accessible for persons with disabilities. Please contact the park office at 609-268-0444 for further information regarding disability access needs. Text telephone (TTY) users, call the NJ Relay & CapTel Service at 711 or 1-800-852-7897 for English or 1-866-658-7714 for Spanish.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Recreational use of ATVs is not permitted on NJ State Park Service property. This includes state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. Thank you for your help in protecting New Jersey’s natural and historic resources. [N.J.A.C. 7:2-3.4(d)]

Smoking
State law prohibits the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices in all state parks, forests, historic sites, recreation areas, golf courses and marinas. [N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)]

Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in state parks, forests, recreation areas, golf courses, marinas, natural areas, historic sites, and preserves. [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6 ]

Keep Your Park Clean and Green
Keep Your Park Clean and Green Protect plants and animals and care for your park by taking your trash with you. Unless you're camping, whatever you carry into the park, plan on carrying it out too. It’s like crowdsourcing trash management! Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles in this park. Thank you!

Swimming
Swimming is permitted, while lifeguards are on duty, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The beach area includes changing rooms, restrooms, showers, a first-aid station and a concession building where food and beach supplies may be purchased. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are allowed.

Pets
Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets.

Tick Protection
Use insect repellent, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, stay on trails, check yourself when you get home, shower and wash clothes immediately.

Be Bear Aware
Black bears are found throughout New Jersey. Do not approach or attract bears by making food available. Feeding bears is dangerous and illegal. Never run from a bear! To report an aggressive bear, call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337) immediately. Please report any damage or nuisance behavior to the park office. Visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at www.njfishandwildlife.com for additional information on bear safety.

Photo Gallery

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Related Links

Wharton State Forest

Park Map

Area Map

General

Phone Number
609-268-0444

Physical Address
744 US-206
Shamong, NJ 08088

Mailing Address
31 Batsto Road
Hammonton, NJ 08037

Email Address
parks@dep.nj.gov

Park Hours

Gate Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m
Park Office Open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Park Fees
Entrance Fee Free entry for the 2023 season.

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
39.742811, -74.725928