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.

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.

Open daily sunrise to sunset
Batsto Office Hours: Open daily
Atsion Office: Closed for winter

Keep warm this winter by cutting your own firewood in designated areas of the forest. Available at seven state parks and forests statewide for $20 a cord while supplies last. Homeowners are responsible for cutting and removing their own firewood. Advance reservations are required and can be made for two consecutive days: Wednesday & Thursday, Friday & Saturday or Sunday & Monday. Call the Batsto office to make a reservation today.

Batsto Village is the site of a former bog iron and glass making industrial center (1766 - 1867). 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.

For more information about Batsto Village and tours of Batsto Mansion, call (609) 704-1964.

Visitors can also take a guided tour via their cell phone. Accompanied by a walking guide brochure, the cell phone tour highlights 18 historic sites and buildings in the village. Each pre-recorded message is approximately two to three minutes. Taking the cell phone tour is simple and free, except for the cost of the users’ cell phone minutes. Visitors dial the local, toll-free number, (609) 503-9377, and then enter the site number that they wish to hear. This project is supported and funded by the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc., a volunteer group dedicated to preserving and promoting the site.

Batsto Through the Years: A Teaching Resource (PDF 3.84 MB) was recently developed to help educators explain the importance of the New Jersey Pinelands and the lifestyles of the people who lived and worked there. It is the result of collaboration between the State Park Service and the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.

The 10 lessons included in the teaching resource are based on fourth grade Core Curriculum standards for Social Studies. Topics range from the environment and early Pinelands industry to daily life in the village. The suggested follow-up activities help students make connections between life in the 18th and 19th centuries and the present day. Critical thinking activities challenge students to examine their own community and evaluate how society deals with preservation of historic buildings and open spaces.

In conjunction with the manual, Batsto Village offers seasonal educational programs and interpreter-led tours. Age appropriate presentations and a “child friendly” museum greet our visitors. For schools unable to travel to Batsto Village, staff and volunteers also offer in-school presentations. For more information about Historic Batsto Village, contact the Batsto Village Visitor Center at (609) 561-0024.

Take a tour of historic Harrisville, the remains of a company town located in Wharton State Forest. Isolated deep in the Pinelands, Harrisville is a genuine ghost town from the late 1800's. Once a flourishing village, it was abandoned in 1891 after the driving force of the community, the great paper mill, went out of business.

Harrisville Village Video Podcast for iPhone/ iPod - 50.6MB
Courtesy of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance
Download and unzip this file and then add the video file to iTunes for your iPod or iPhone.

Key stops on this tour include:

• The Papermill & Artesian Well
• The Boarding House
• McCarty Mansion
• Workers Homes
• View of the Canal
• Howard Harris Mansion
• The Store
• The Gristmill

The Atsion Mansion was built in 1826 as a summer home for Samuel Richards. Richards, who 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 appears as it was back in 1826. 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. The mansion is currently closed for the winter. Check back in the spring for a schedule of tours.

This 50-mile trail connects Wharton, Brendan 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.

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.

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.

Swimming facilities are available at Atsion Recreation Area on Route 206 in Shamong Township from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day, while lifeguards are on duty. For more information call (609) 268-0444. Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6 pm.

PLEASE NOTE: During the summer months, the park and swimming area may close temporarily if we reach the maximum capacity for visitors. We advise you call the park prior to your visit to check the status.

Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach.

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

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 December 15. Campsites open April 1 through December 15. $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

Primitive Campsites: Bodine Field, Hawkins Bridge, Batona, Mullica River 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 can only be accessed by hiking, canoeing or horseback; motor vehicles are not permitted. All other areas are accessible by motor vehicles. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Maximum campsite capacities vary from 50 to 250 persons. $2 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

Pet Friendly Campsites - Check back in the Spring of 2010

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 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

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:

View the State Park Service areas open to hunting for 2009-2010.

Hunting is permitted in designated areas within the park and is subject to Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

Batona Hiking Club
Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.

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