Wharton State Forest

Wharton State Forest covers over 124,000 acres across Burlington, Atlantic, and Camden counties in southern New Jersey, making it the largest single tract of land in the New Jersey state park system. It sits at the heart of the Pinelands National Reserve, a sprawling region of coastal plain forest, cedar swamps, and tea-colored rivers unlike anything else on the Eastern Seaboard. The combination of genuine wilderness, a preserved 19th-century iron village, and some of the most accessible river paddling in the mid-Atlantic makes Wharton a destination rather than a detour.

Batsto Village

The clearest reason to make a trip specifically to Wharton, rather than any other Pine Barrens access point, is Batsto Village. This well-preserved historic site documents the life of an ironmaking and glassmaking community that operated as an industrial center from 1766 to 1867. More than thirty of its 19th-century buildings survive, including the Batsto mansion, worker cottages, a gristmill, a sawmill, a general store, and outbuildings. The village grounds are open for self-guided visits, with guided tours of Batsto Mansion and seasonal walking tours offered when available. The iron produced here supplied munitions during the Revolutionary War. After the iron industry declined, the site shifted to glassmaking and eventually became a gentleman’s estate before passing to the state. The Batsto Visitor Center museum and Annie M. Carter Nature Center provide context for both the human and ecological history of the region. No separate admission is charged for walking the village grounds, though parking fees apply on weekends and holidays during the season.

Paddling the Mullica and Batsto Rivers

River paddling is the other defining activity at Wharton. The Mullica River and Batsto River both flow through the forest, running clear and amber over white sand bottoms through corridors of Atlantic white cedar and pitch pine. The water’s color comes from naturally occurring tannins, not pollution, and the rivers and streams support Pine Barrens fish such as pickerel, catfish, perch, and sunfish. Put-ins are available at multiple points, and the current is gentle enough for beginners. Canoe and kayak rentals are available seasonally through outfitters near Atsion and Batsto. Multi-day paddling trips with overnight camping at designated riverside sites are possible and popular with those who want to move through the forest rather than base from a single campground.

Trails and Sandy Roads

Wharton contains 77 miles of marked hiking trails and hundreds of miles of unpaved sand roads, including over 250 miles open to street-legal vehicles and motorcycles. The Batona Trail, a 50-mile footpath running the length of the Pine Barrens, passes through the forest and connects Wharton to Bass River State Forest and Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. Day hikers can pick up segments near Atsion or Batsto without committing to a long-distance route. The terrain is flat and the footing is sandy, so technical difficulty is low, but distances in the forest can be deceptive and navigation requires attention. Street-legal vehicles and motorcycles are permitted only on designated motorized routes and must be properly registered, insured, and driven by licensed operators. ATVs and off-roading are not permitted.

Camping at Atsion and Beyond

Wharton offers several camping options ranging from a developed family campground at Atsion, which includes tent and trailer sites with access to restrooms and showers, to primitive group and individual campsites, some of which are accessible only on foot or by water. Atsion also has a swimming lake with a beach, a boat launch, and picnic areas. Reservations for developed sites are strongly recommended from late spring through Labor Day. The primitive sites operate on a permit basis and are well suited to backpackers on the Batona Trail.

Pet Policy

Pets are welcome at Wharton State Forest but must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Pets are not permitted on the Atsion swimming beach or in any designated swimming areas. They are allowed on trails, along the rivers, and in designated pet-friendly campsites. Pet-friendly camping is limited to domestic dogs and cats, with a maximum of two pets per camping permit and an additional nightly pet fee. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals.

Wildlife to Be Aware Of

Black bears are found in New Jersey, and visitors to Wharton should take precautions wherever food is present. Store all food in hard-sided containers or bear boxes, never leave food unattended, and pack out all waste. If you encounter a bear, do not run. Make noise, back away slowly, and give the animal space to leave.

Timber rattlesnakes occur in the Pine Barrens but are not common. They are a state endangered species and are venomous, so they should never be approached or handled. Watch where you step and where you place your hands, especially when stepping over logs or reaching into brush. They will generally avoid contact if given the chance.

Ticks, including deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, are present year-round but most active from spring through fall. Wear long sleeves and pants on trails, tuck pants into socks, use an EPA-registered repellent such as DEET, treat clothing and gear with permethrin, and do a full body tick check after every outing. Lyme disease is widespread in New Jersey and prompt tick removal significantly reduces transmission risk.

Practical Information

Wharton State Forest is located in the southern New Jersey Pine Barrens, with the main Atsion entrance on Route 206 in Shamong Township and the Batsto Village entrance off Route 542 near Hammonton. The closest towns with services are Hammonton and Medford. The forest is open year-round, though facilities and staffing are reduced outside the summer season.

Day-use fees apply at Atsion Recreation Area from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. New Jersey residents pay $5 on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays. Non-residents pay $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and holidays. Walk-in and bicycle entry is $2. At Batsto and elsewhere in Wharton State Forest, seasonal fees are charged on weekends and holidays, with New Jersey residents paying $5 and non-residents paying $7. Fees were reinstated in July 2024 after a two-year waiver. Camping reservations can be made through New Jersey Outdoors, the New Jersey State Park Service reservation platform. Batsto Village visitor center hours vary by season and should be confirmed before visiting.