Wharton State Forest

05/21/2026

Concession Opportunity: Atsion Recreation Area (Wharton State Forest)

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting bid proposals for the operation of a stand up paddleboard concession at Atsion Recreation Area in Wharton State Forest.

Proposals are due by 12 p.m. on June 8.

🔗 More information: https://dep.nj.gov/otpla/request-for-proposal-le26-038-atsion-recreation-area-stand-up-paddleboard-concession/

04/30/2026

Spend your summer at Atsion Recreation Area, in Wharton State Forest as a lifeguard, ensuring visitor safety and learning valuable lifelong skills! ☀️

No prior experience? No problem! New Jersey State Park’s will train lifeguards in CPR, Automated External Defibrillators, First Aid and other necessary medical practices. Each lifeguard will also receive a U.S. Lifesaving Association certification.

Lifeguard salaries start at $19 an hour. Junior lifeguard salaries are $17.50 an hour.

🛟Lifeguards develop lasting strengths and qualities including teamwork, leadership, clear communication, preparedness, situational awareness and the ability to remain calm and respond effectively in emergency situations. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
🛟Junior lifeguards work on skills training, giving new recruits a head start on their experience. Junior lifeguards cannot perform lifeguard duties for the public until age 16. Applicants must be 15 years old.

To get started, apply online and attend a regional swim and run test.

LIFEGUARD TEST DATES:
Saturday, May 2 & 9
📍Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA
1159 E. Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360

Walk-ins are allowed with a completed lifeguard application form. More detailed information about the Lifeguard employment test including and a permission slip for applicants under 18 can be found here:https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/parksandforests/lifeguard-test-infosheet.pdf

🔗 Learn more and apply today at: https://nj.gov/dep/workinparks

04/26/2026

Now growing in the Visitor Center Museum Shop and your home garden: Jersey Devil Tomatoes!

These heirloom tomatoes feature a distinct pepper-like shape and have a rich, sweet flavor. They are perfect for salsas and sauces, or as a simple snack on their own.

Seed packets are now available at Batsto and Atsion. Batsto also features sprouts growing in watering can planters. Try growing some this spring!

04/21/2026

Tomorrow is Earth Day! Spend your day outside in the pine barrens with a trip to historic Batsto Village! Stop in the Batsto Visitor Center from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and check out the new display of children's Earth Day books. Meander through the museum, walk around the Batsto museum shop or watch a 10-minute movie about the history of the village.

Rather spend the day outside? Explore the village and our trails or stop by the nature center along Batsto Lake! The nature center will have special Earth Day hours tomorrow from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Happy Earth Day!

03/20/2026

We still have a few spots left for the Nature Journaling Workshop & Batsto BioBlitz program being held tomorrow, Saturday March 21 at 2 p.m! For more details and to register for this free program, sign-up at the link below.

Learn how to hone your observational skills and document your surroundings through journaling and photography!

02/21/2026

Please note!

Due to the impending winter storm, all New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites will close to visitors at sunset on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Camping reservations are canceled effective noon Sunday, Feb. 22, until Tuesday, Feb. 24. Refunds will be issued to campers with reservations.

Parks will reopen to visitors for winter activities once maintenance crews complete snowplowing operations.

View the real-time operating status of state parks, forests and historic sites at stateparks.nj.gov

02/13/2026

It’s maple syrup season at Batsto Village Historic Site! 🍁

Join Wharton State Forest and Stockton University as they produce genuine Pine Barrens maple syrup right in the village. Watch sap collected throughout Batsto boil down into delicious syrup, along with samples available and bottles for sale in the Batsto Visitor Center.

⏰ WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍 WHERE: Sap boiling takes place across from the Batsto Mansion

While you’re there, explore the first two floors of Batsto Mansion (open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and chat with Wharton State Forest historians about the home’s rich history and notable residents.

🔗 Come experience the sweetest tradition of the season: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DNStcLHmq/

02/11/2026

Please note that the Maple Sugaring Day at Batsto Village (Maple Sugar Boil) originally scheduled for Saturday, February 21 has been RESCHEDULED for Saturday, February 28 due to below freezing temperatures affecting sap production and collection.

We are sorry for any inconvenience!

02/07/2026

In consideration of the icy and below freezing conditions, the Annie M. Carter Nature Center will be closed tomorrow Sunday, February 8. We hope that everyone stays safe and warm this weekend, and we look forward to seeing you in the village when the snow clears!

01/31/2026

In consideration of the icy and below freezing conditions, tours of Batsto Mansion are cancelled on Sunday, February 1.

The Annie M. Carter Nature Center will also be closed on Sunday, February 1.

We hope that everyone stays safe and warm this weekend, and we look forward to seeing you in the village when the snow clears!