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.
Facilities & Activities:
Visitors center, exhibit gallery, museum shop, interpretive center
Batsto Village
Atsion Village
Carranza Memorial
Trails
Camping
Fishing
Hunting
Interpretive Programs
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
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 October 31. Campsites open April 1 through October 31.
Godfrey Bridge: 34 tent and trailer sites (21 feet or less), water, picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets. Please call ahead for campfire regulations. Campsites open all year.
Group Campsites: Sixteen group campsites. One group campsite is located at Batona and contains a hand pump for water and pit toilets. This campsite accommodates up to 15 people.
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.
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.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated areas within the park and is subject to Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
