Wharton State Forest

Wharton State Forest is an absolute gem in the heart of New Jersey, and my experience there was nothing short of magical. From the moment I embarked on a canoe journey down the Mullica River to my campsite, I was captivated by the stunning natural wonders that surrounded me. The river, with its ice tea-colored water, unveiled a rich tapestry of wildflowers, lily pads, turtles, frogs, snakes, and the industrious beavers crafting their dams. Witnessing river otters playfully navigating the currents was a delightful surprise.

The skies above proved equally enchanting, offering sightings of majestic bald eagles, osprey, and other birds of prey. The pervasive feeling of being miles away from society was amplified by the soothing sound of tall pines whispering in the wind, eerily reminiscent of a distant freeway. This auditory illusion added to the sense of wilderness that enveloped me, making me feel both small and enlightened.

The Pine Barrens, with its myriad wonders, left me in awe, offering countless reasons to cherish this natural haven. Wharton State Forest is a sanctuary where nature unfolds its secrets, leaving visitors with a profound sense of connection to the wild. It's a place where the soul can truly find solace and inspiration. My heart is forever tethered to this extraordinary wilderness retreat.

Been staying in the cabins at the Wharton State Forest for the last 12 years. I love exploring here with my family & friends. Kayaking on Atsion Lake is my fav. So beautiful here. The best spot in NJ for camping & hiking. Pics from my most recent stay October 2023

I went on a guided hike here and learend about the native fauna and wildlife here. Bit of a drive for me, but worth it to go. Such a beautiful and serene park. They always have a variety of educational programs going on as well.

great fall foraging right now. mushrooms, tea berries, ghost pipe, etc. easy sandy, mostly flat trails through the pines. dogs allowed but must be leashed.

Great state campground! Very inexpensive, with plenty of things to keep you busy. Tubing, bike trails, water sources (no swimming tho) campsites are huge, there are "bathrooms" not the best but bathrooms none the less

It was a kayaking trip on the Mullica river with our friends. We booked kayaks/canoes through Pinelands Adventures and also campsite in advance. Service was great and we enjoyed our trip a lot. Campsite was very good: big lots, clean, bathrooms, water pump. Don't forget to take tick repellent with you especially in the late spring- summer season.

Beautiful park that is well kept up.

Very cool to off road with a capable car

Be careful of the ticks. I found one attached to me today. So glad I checked. It looked like a wood tick. Had to contact my doctor.
Beautiful long trails otherwise. I enjoyed the area a lot. It’s quiet and peaceful. Saw deer, rabbits, different birds, frogs. Loved the abandoned railroad tracks. Will definitely come again when it’s colder and no ticks.

Great place to hike and get away from the crowds. Trails are clearly marked (markers were freshly painted) and easily walkable. There is a lot of beach sands in parts that may it harder to hike, but overall not bad. Dogs are allowed, on a leash of course and trails are of various lengths to make it interesting and challenging to experienced and novice hikers alike. Lots of areas to stop and have a break/lunch and crowds are low, most of the time, especially on the less traveled trails.

I hiked the white trail three times the past week. It's less than 4 miles and quite easy.nYou could see winter and fall because of the varies of trees. And the lake view is just beautiful.

Good campsites near very clean bathroom and shower building. Some pet friendly spots too. Great for novice campers. Honor system farmstand and firewood across the street from the entrance. Some east side campgrounds have kayak/canoe launch access.

beautiful and awesome trails for offroading. no 4x4 needed for the main trails. honestly you could probably even take a prius down all the main paths. getting into some of the parking lots and pull offs might be a problem though.

Pine Barrens has so much natural beauty. Simple sand trails with so much history. I visited The Batsto Villiage on a Friday afternoon. There was a lot more people there than expected, but still Peaceful. Feels like time travel. Nice trip through history. Understanding life in simpler time. Lots of open road. First time Ive seen Pine cones +sand together.

This review is referring to Batso village - This is a wonderful place with extensive trails that are well maintained. There's a small museum, old Post office and visitor center and the historic town is partially open to the public, the various homes and workshops are also open (the Manor is only open during paid tours). Sometimes there are people/volunteers in a small blacksmith shop that's open to public observation.

Really nice to have take family here and friends. Camping is awesome. If you are a nature lover, then you will for sure take out the benefit from this forest - because of beautiful views, the smell of the nature and trees will make you feel like a real human!

Beautiful, expansive forest. You can hike trails. Kayak and tube down the rivers. Visit Batsto Village. A beautifully preserved area that some don’t know exist right in south jersey. Recommend a few trips to experience different parts of the forest!

Pineland Adventures kayaking and tours.
What a fun ,scenic, self guided 6 miles down Batsto River that ends in Batsto Lake. They drop you off and help get on the boat and meet you 6 miles down river.
This course is for a moderately trained paddler. I don't reccomend this trip for a beginner, you can, but you will spend alot of time tangled in the trees and bogs.
Due to nature's obstacles, downed trees, overgrowth, and hairpin turns you need to be able to stop or turn quickly. I saw many inexperienced kayakers struggling throughout the trip.
There are multiple small beaches along the way to stop, have lunch, and stretch your legs.
You will see large turtles and beaver huts, frogs, flowers and blueberries.
Bring sunscreen, bugspray, a water tight phone bag, water and snacks.
If you forget the office sells all of the above.
Have a great trip!!

Beautiful place to be and pretty passable on most main trails, just remember to keep to it clean wait for a decent dry spell to go out if you're worried about water.

I am biased because I grew up on the out-skirts of Wharton. There is so many trails for biking, hiking and exploring. It's absolutely gorgeous during the spring and fall months. Be sure to take a bag to carry your trash out! Visit Batsto for a great history lesson or simply enjoy the quiet.