Wharton State Forest, a New Jersey State Forest located near Atco, Bellmawr and Berlin

WHARTON STATE FOREST

WHARTON STATE FOREST
31 Batsto Road
Hammonton, New Jersey 08037

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.

History of the Area

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.

Cabins

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 weekSix Person Cabin: $65 per night, $455 per weekEight Person Cabin: $85 per night, $595 per week

Camping

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.

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.

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

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Boating

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.

Boat Launching Fees:$10.00/launch Daily$55.00 Annual

Location

Wharton State Forest is located near Atco, Bellmawr and Berlin

Nearby Parks

Mount Laurel State Park

Green Bank State Forest

Garden State Park

Garden State Park Heliport

Lebanon State Forest

Trails

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.

Area Attractions

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 mansion is now open for tours.

Fees: Entrance fees are only charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Weekdays: $5.00 Weekends: NA

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

The recreation area opens daily at 9:00 am. 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.

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

Weekdays: $5.00Weekends: $10.00 Walk-in/bicycle: $2.00

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

March 17 A great place for a family outing by Al Dansbury

I have been visting this area in the Pine Barrens since 1960. The beauty of the area brings back many memories of fishing and camping since my childhood. Basto Village is my most favorite place in South Jersey.

August 19 bodine

I have been camping at bodine for 25 years.now i take my grand kids. 25 years ago it was great place to camp now people leaves there trash, and brings there dogs.I really wish the park police could do something, about the dogs

September 5 crowds by art

i was told goshen pond was a primative campsite and 1 person was there and arrived to find about 40 people and tents every 15 feet and they had outhouses and water pumps! after trying to relax dogs off leash running and barking at everything and people yelling and screaming just ruined my mood!i will never go to that site again!!oddly i had luck in another spot before that but i can`t remember the name(still part of wharton)that was great.

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Area Campgrounds

Wading Pines Camping Resort
85 Godfrey Bridge Road
Chatsworth, NJ
609-726-1313

Belhaven Lake Resort Campground Inc
1213 Route 542
Greenbank, NJ
609-965-2827

Indian Branch Park Campground
2021 Skip Morgan Drive
Hammonton, NJ
609-561-4719

Hospitality Creek Campground
117 Coles Mill Road
Williamstown, NJ
856-629-5140

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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.