You are not currently logged in. Click here to log in and here to create an account.
Wharton State Forest

Wharton State Forest
Hammonton, NJ

Wharton is the largest New Jersey State Forest, over 100,000 acres. It is in a pine barren, where the soil is sandy and poor. Pine trees dominate and fires scorch the forest regularly.

There are two developed campsites (Godfrey Bridge and Atsion) and seven primitive camping areas (Buttonwood Hill, Bodine Field, Hawkins Bridge, Batona Campsite, Mullica River Wilderness Campsite, Lower Forge Wilderness Campsite and Goshen Pond).

One of the attractions is the restored village of Batsto, a 19th century bog iron and glassmaking center. There's swimming in the Summer at Lake Atsion and canoeing year-round in Mullica, Batsto, Wading and Oswego Rivers.

A 25-mile segment of the Batona Trail crosses the park. (The entire Batona Trail is 50 miles.) If you're backpacking, you can stay at the Lower Forge and Batona campsites.

The Atsion sites have hot showers and flush toilets. The other campgrounds have outhouses. Because the pine barrens have many fires, there are often restrictions on campfires.

Driving directions

Phone: 609-268-0444 (Atsion), 609-561-0024 (Batsto), 609-561-3262 (Batsto Village)
Address: R.D. #9, Batsto, Hammonton, NJ 08037