Plant and animal species that are rare, and in some cases, unique to the Pinelands can be found along the route. The trail passes through some of South Jersey’s forgotten towns like Martha, Lower Forge and

Four Mile. The trail is marked with pink blazes, and there are several major roads that intersect it, making it easy to plan hikes of varying lengths.

Batona Trail

U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service

State of New JerseyDivision of Parks & Forestry

State of New JerseyPinelands Commission

The New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry, the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and the National Park Service are working together to “enhance public understanding, awareness and appreciation of natural and cultural resources” of the Pinelands National Reserve.

PinelandsNational Reserve

W H A R T O N

SOUTHAMPTONMountMisery

Batsto

WOODLAND

ChatsworthTABERNACLE

SHAMONG

MULLICA

LITTLE EGG HARBOR

BASS RIVERWASHINGTON

Four MileCircle

Hedger

LowerForge

BRENDAN T. BYRNESTATE FOREST

HighCrossing

House

RedLion

Mount

Apple PieHill

IndianMills

Atsion

HammontonMunicipal Airport

CAMDEN CO.

ATLANTIC C

O.

BURLINGTON CO.

HamptonFurnace

Hampton Gate

Tabernacle

NescoWestcoatville

PleasantMills

Sweetwater

Crowleytown

Tylertown

Bulltown

Maxwell

Harrisville

Jenkins

Martha

Greenbank

Lower Bank

WadingRiver

Leektown

MunionField

Beaverville

Retreat

Friendship

FoxChase

MooresMill

Oak Shade

Bozarthtown

Sooy Place

Burrs Mill

JohnsonPlace

DukesBridge

PineCrest

Friendship

Dutchtown

Herman

WestTuckerton

Nugentown

Giffordtown

Racetrack

Four Mile

EarlysCrossing

Whitehorse

Lebanon LakeEstates

Presidential LakeEstates

Flyat

State Hospital

BASS RIVER STATE FOREST

S T A T E F O R E S T

70

72

563

542

539

GARDEN STATE PARKWAY

563QuakerBridge

Ba tonaCamp

For geCamp

Lo w er

679

532

Riv erCamp

Mullica

Oriental

HillCamp

Buttonw ood

Camp

Bodine

Bridg eCamp

CampBrendan T . Byr ne

Abse gamiCamp

Lak e

542

563

206

206

NewGretna

542

9

FRANKLIN PARKER PRESERVE

Batona Trail Mileage Table

Map Legend

P

Park Office

Restrooms

Parking

Telephone

Water

Picnic Area

Camping Area

Wetland Area

Rivers & Lakes

Elevations in Meters

State Forest

20

Franklin Parker Preserve

Batona Trail

Other Hiking Trails

Paved Road

Swimming

Sand / Gravel Road

Location Miles North - South South - North

Ongs HatDeep Hollow RoadRoute 70Lebanon TowerPakim PondRoute 72Route 563Route 532Apple Pie Hill TowerBatona CampCarranza MemorialHay RoadLower Forge Camp Turn offQuaker BridgeWashington Pike & BatstoButtonwood Hill Camp Turn offEvans BridgeRoute 679Martha BridgeStage RoadCoal Road

0 50 3.0 46.5 3.9 45.6 4.7 44.8 8.0 41.5 9.4 40.1 10.7 38.8 14.0 35.5 15.1 34.4 18.7 30.8 19.2 30.3 22.5 27.0 24.5 25.0 25.5 24.0 31.6 17.9 35.0 14.7 40.8 8.7 41.5 8.0 42.8 6.7 48.7 0.8 50 0

P

P

P

P

PP

P

Coa

l

Road

Stage

Road

Washington

Pike

Hay

Road

EvansBridge

Martha

Road

MarthaBridge

CarranzaMemorial

PakimPond

Lebanon Fire Tower

HollowPond

DeepOngsHat

HarrisvilleLake

LakeAbsegami

BatstoLake

AtsionLake

Presidential Lakes

Exit52

ATLANTICCITY

EXPRESSWAY

206

30

542

PENN STATE FOREST

HAMMONTON

GREAT

NOT TO SCALE

BAY

9

BRENDAN T. BYRNE STATE FOREST

539

GA

RD

EN

STATE

PKY.

EXIT52

542

BASS RIVERSTATE FOREST

WHARTON

STATE

FOREST

ATSION

206

563

EGGHARBORCITY

539

CHATSWORTH

73

534

536

541

BERLIN

RED LION

EXIT50

GREAT BAY

BATSTO

563

532

72

70

N

Kilometers

MilesMap Scale

1 10 2 3 4

0

5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 51

Please RememberThe trails shown here are for hiking and cross-country skiing only. Short lengths of trail may temporarily accumulate rainwater runoff. Ticks, chiggers, biting flies, and mosquitoes can be common.

New Jersey State Forests are carry-in / carry-out areas, so please take your trash with you. It is unlawful to remove any plants or non-game animals as well as any historic artifacts from state forest property. HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES!

Based on USGSHammonton, NJ

1:100 000Topographic Map 1984

Trail Location Data: Franklin & Kathleen Pearce / Map Additions: Gilbert Mika

Batona Trail

U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service

State of New JerseyDivision of Parks & Forestry

State of New JerseyPinelands Commission

The New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry, the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and the National Park Service are working together to “enhance public understanding, awareness and appreciation of natural and cultural resources” of the Pinelands National Reserve.

PinelandsNational Reserve

W H A R T O N

SOUTHAMPTONMountMisery

Batsto

WOODLAND

ChatsworthTABERNACLE

SHAMONG

MULLICA

LITTLE EGG HARBOR

BASS RIVERWASHINGTON

Four MileCircle

Hedger

LowerForge

BRENDAN T. BYRNESTATE FOREST

HighCrossing

House

RedLion

Mount

Apple PieHill

IndianMills

Atsion

HammontonMunicipal Airport

CAMDEN CO.

ATLANTIC C

O.

BURLINGTON CO.

HamptonFurnace

Hampton Gate

Tabernacle

NescoWestcoatville

PleasantMills

Sweetwater

Crowleytown

Tylertown

Bulltown

Maxwell

Harrisville

Jenkins

Martha

Greenbank

Lower Bank

WadingRiver

Leektown

MunionField

Beaverville

Retreat

Friendship

FoxChase

MooresMill

Oak Shade

Bozarthtown

Sooy Place

Burrs Mill

JohnsonPlace

DukesBridge

PineCrest

Friendship

Dutchtown

Herman

WestTuckerton

Nugentown

Giffordtown

Racetrack

Four Mile

EarlysCrossing

Whitehorse

Lebanon LakeEstates

Presidential LakeEstates

Flyat

State Hospital

BASS RIVER STATE FOREST

S T A T E F O R E S T

70

72

563

542

539

GARDEN STATE PARKWAY

563QuakerBridge

Ba tonaCamp

For geCamp

Lo w er

679

532

Riv erCamp

Mullica

Oriental

HillCamp

Buttonw ood

Camp

Bodine

Bridg eCamp

CampBrendan T . Byr ne

Abse gamiCamp

Lak e

542

563

206

206

NewGretna

542

9

FRANKLIN PARKER PRESERVE

Batona Trail Mileage Table

Map Legend

P

Park Office

Restrooms

Parking

Telephone

Water

Picnic Area

Camping Area

Wetland Area

Rivers & Lakes

Elevations in Meters

State Forest

20

Franklin Parker Preserve

Batona Trail

Other Hiking Trails

Paved Road

Swimming

Sand / Gravel Road

Location Miles North - South South - North

Ongs HatDeep Hollow RoadRoute 70Lebanon TowerPakim PondRoute 72Route 563Route 532Apple Pie Hill TowerBatona CampCarranza MemorialHay RoadLower Forge Camp Turn offQuaker BridgeWashington Pike & BatstoButtonwood Hill Camp Turn offEvans BridgeRoute 679Martha BridgeStage RoadCoal Road

0 50 3.0 46.5 3.9 45.6 4.7 44.8 8.0 41.5 9.4 40.1 10.7 38.8 14.0 35.5 15.1 34.4 18.7 30.8 19.2 30.3 22.5 27.0 24.5 25.0 25.5 24.0 31.6 17.9 35.0 14.7 40.8 8.7 41.5 8.0 42.8 6.7 48.7 0.8 50 0

P

P

P

P

PP

P

Coa

l

Road

Stage

Road

Washington

Pike

Hay

Road

EvansBridge

Martha

Road

MarthaBridge

CarranzaMemorial

PakimPond

Lebanon Fire Tower

HollowPond

DeepOngsHat

HarrisvilleLake

LakeAbsegami

BatstoLake

AtsionLake

Presidential Lakes

Exit52

ATLANTICCITY

EXPRESSWAY

206

30

542

PENN STATE FOREST

HAMMONTON

GREAT

NOT TO SCALE

BAY

9

BRENDAN T. BYRNE STATE FOREST

539

GA

RD

EN

STATE

PKY.

EXIT52

542

BASS RIVERSTATE FOREST

WHARTON

STATE

FOREST

ATSION

206

563

EGGHARBORCITY

539

CHATSWORTH

73

534

536

541

BERLIN

RED LION

EXIT50

GREAT BAY

BATSTO

563

532

72

70

N

Kilometers

MilesMap Scale

1 10 2 3 4

0

5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 51

Please RememberThe trails shown here are for hiking and cross-country skiing only. Short lengths of trail may temporarily accumulate rainwater runoff. Ticks, chiggers, biting flies, and mosquitoes can be common.

New Jersey State Forests are carry-in / carry-out areas, so please take your trash with you. It is unlawful to remove any plants or non-game animals as well as any historic artifacts from state forest property. HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES!

Based on USGSHammonton, NJ

1:100 000Topographic Map 1984

Trail Location Data: Franklin & Kathleen Pearce / Map Additions: Gilbert Mika

Batona Trail

U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service

State of New JerseyDivision of Parks & Forestry

State of New JerseyPinelands Commission

The New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry, the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and the National Park Service are working together to “enhance public understanding, awareness and appreciation of natural and cultural resources” of the Pinelands National Reserve.

PinelandsNational Reserve

W H A R T O N

SOUTHAMPTONMountMisery

Batsto

WOODLAND

ChatsworthTABERNACLE

SHAMONG

MULLICA

LITTLE EGG HARBOR

BASS RIVERWASHINGTON

Four MileCircle

Hedger

LowerForge

BRENDAN T. BYRNESTATE FOREST

HighCrossing

House

RedLion

Mount

Apple PieHill

IndianMills

Atsion

HammontonMunicipal Airport

CAMDEN CO.

ATLANTIC C

O.

BURLINGTON CO.

HamptonFurnace

Hampton Gate

Tabernacle

NescoWestcoatville

PleasantMills

Sweetwater

Crowleytown

Tylertown

Bulltown

Maxwell

Harrisville

Jenkins

Martha

Greenbank

Lower Bank

WadingRiver

Leektown

MunionField

Beaverville

Retreat

Friendship

FoxChase

MooresMill

Oak Shade

Bozarthtown

Sooy Place

Burrs Mill

JohnsonPlace

DukesBridge

PineCrest

Friendship

Dutchtown

Herman

WestTuckerton

Nugentown

Giffordtown

Racetrack

Four Mile

EarlysCrossing

Whitehorse

Lebanon LakeEstates

Presidential LakeEstates

Flyat

State Hospital

BASS RIVER STATE FOREST

S T A T E F O R E S T

70

72

563

542

539

GARDEN STATE PARKWAY

563QuakerBridge

Ba tonaCamp

For geCamp

Lo w er

679

532

Riv erCamp

Mullica

Oriental

HillCamp

Buttonw ood

Camp

Bodine

Bridg eCamp

CampBrendan T . Byr ne

Abse gamiCamp

Lak e

542

563

206

206

NewGretna

542

9

FRANKLIN PARKER PRESERVE

Batona Trail Mileage Table

Map Legend

P

Park Office

Restrooms

Parking

Telephone

Water

Picnic Area

Camping Area

Wetland Area

Rivers & Lakes

Elevations in Meters

State Forest

20

Franklin Parker Preserve

Batona Trail

Other Hiking Trails

Paved Road

Swimming

Sand / Gravel Road

Location Miles North - South South - North

Ongs HatDeep Hollow RoadRoute 70Lebanon TowerPakim PondRoute 72Route 563Route 532Apple Pie Hill TowerBatona CampCarranza MemorialHay RoadLower Forge Camp Turn offQuaker BridgeWashington Pike & BatstoButtonwood Hill Camp Turn offEvans BridgeRoute 679Martha BridgeStage RoadCoal Road

0 50 3.0 46.5 3.9 45.6 4.7 44.8 8.0 41.5 9.4 40.1 10.7 38.8 14.0 35.5 15.1 34.4 18.7 30.8 19.2 30.3 22.5 27.0 24.5 25.0 25.5 24.0 31.6 17.9 35.0 14.7 40.8 8.7 41.5 8.0 42.8 6.7 48.7 0.8 50 0

P

P

P

P

PP

P

Coa

l

Road

Stage

Road

Washington

Pike

Hay

Road

EvansBridge

Martha

Road

MarthaBridge

CarranzaMemorial

PakimPond

Lebanon Fire Tower

HollowPond

DeepOngsHat

HarrisvilleLake

LakeAbsegami

BatstoLake

AtsionLake

Presidential Lakes

Exit52

ATLANTICCITY

EXPRESSWAY

206

30

542

PENN STATE FOREST

HAMMONTON

GREAT

NOT TO SCALE

BAY

9

BRENDAN T. BYRNE STATE FOREST

539

GA

RD

EN

STATE

PKY.

EXIT52

542

BASS RIVERSTATE FOREST

WHARTON

STATE

FOREST

ATSION

206

563

EGGHARBORCITY

539

CHATSWORTH

73

534

536

541

BERLIN

RED LION

EXIT50

GREAT BAY

BATSTO

563

532

72

70

N

Kilometers

MilesMap Scale

1 10 2 3 4

0

5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 51

Please RememberThe trails shown here are for hiking and cross-country skiing only. Short lengths of trail may temporarily accumulate rainwater runoff. Ticks, chiggers, biting flies, and mosquitoes can be common.

New Jersey State Forests are carry-in / carry-out areas, so please take your trash with you. It is unlawful to remove any plants or non-game animals as well as any historic artifacts from state forest property. HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES!

Based on USGSHammonton, NJ

1:100 000Topographic Map 1984

Trail Location Data: Franklin & Kathleen Pearce / Map Additions: Gilbert Mika

The 50-mile long Batona Trail derives its name from the words BAck TO NAture. It crosses vast tracts of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve.

Bat

ona

Trai

l

Stat

e of

New

Jers

eyD

epar

tmen

t of E

nviro

nmen

tal P

rote

ctio

nD

ivisi

on o

f Par

ks a

nd F

ores

try

Stat

e Pa

rk S

ervi

ce

Bass

Riv

er S

tate

For

est

762

Stag

e Ro

adTu

cker

ton,

NJ 0

8087

(609

) 296

-111

4

Bren

dan

T. B

yrne

Sta

te F

ores

tPO

Box

215

New

Lisb

on, N

J 080

64(6

09) 7

26-1

191

Wha

rton

Sta

te F

ores

t31

Bat

sto R

oad

Ham

mon

ton,

NJ 0

8037

(609

) 561

-002

4 (B

atsto

Offi

ce)

(609

) 268

-044

4 (A

tsion

Offi

ce)

Kee

p Yo

ur F

ores

t Cle

anTh

roug

h th

e Ca

rry-In

/Car

ry-O

ut P

rogr

am

you

can

help

us k

eep

your

par

ks a

nd fo

rests

cl

ean

and

beau

tiful

by

carry

ing

out t

he tr

ash

you

carry

in.

Bags

are

pro

vide

d at

var

ious

lo

catio

ns.

Than

k yo

u fo

r you

r coo

pera

tion,

and

re

mem

ber t

o re

cycl

e.

Fund

ing

prov

ided

by

the N

atio

nal P

ark

Serv

ice.

The

Bato

na T

rail

The

Bat

ona

Trai

l beg

an in

196

1 w

hen

the

Bat

ona

Hik

ing

Clu

b ch

arte

d an

d cl

eare

d a

trail

from

Car

pent

er S

prin

g in

Bre

ndan

T.

Byr

ne S

tate

For

est t

o B

atst

o in

Wha

rton

Stat

e Fo

rest

. Thr

ough

the

year

s the

trai

l was

le

ngth

ened

and

now

stre

tche

s for

alm

ost 5

0 m

iles,

from

Ong

’s H

at in

Bre

ndan

T. B

yrne

St

ate

Fore

st, t

hrou

gh W

harto

n St

ate

Fore

st

and

on to

Bas

s Riv

er S

tate

For

est.

The

trail

is m

aint

aine

d jo

intly

by

the

Bat

ona

Hik

ing

Clu

b,

the

Out

door

C

lub

of S

outh

Je

rsey

and

the

New

Jers

ey

Stat

e Pa

rk

Serv

ice.

The

Bat

ona

Trai

l tra

vers

es

the

Pine

land

s, a

vast

are

a of

pin

e ba

rren

s ha

bita

t in

Sout

h Je

rsey

not

ed fo

r its

be

autif

ul a

nd u

niqu

e flo

ra a

nd fa

una,

man

y sp

ecie

s of w

hich

ar

e fo

und

now

here

el

se in

the

wor

ld.

An

obse

rvan

t eye

m

ay c

atch

orc

hids

, w

hite

-taile

d de

er

or a

haw

k ar

ound

th

e ne

xt b

end.

Wild

bl

uebe

rrie

s and

hu

ckle

berr

ies c

an

be g

athe

red

by th

e ha

ndfu

l in

seas

on.

The

rout

e co

vers

var

ied

land

feat

ures

and

fo

rest

type

s, m

eetin

g a

num

ber o

f stre

ams

and

pond

s alo

ng th

e w

ay. M

any

area

s ric

h in

his

tory

als

o lie

alo

ng th

e tra

il, w

ith

nam

es li

ke F

our M

ile, L

eban

on, B

atst

o an

d M

arth

a, to

rem

ind

us o

f the

forg

otte

n to

wns

th

at o

nce

thriv

ed h

ere.

The

tra

il is

ava

ilabl

e fo

r eve

ryon

e to

ap

prec

iate

, bu

t not

ab

use,

the

valu

able

and

un

ique

nat

ural

an

d cu

ltura

l re

sour

ces o

f the

ar

ea.

The

Bat

ona

Trai

l was

pl

anne

d as

a w

ilder

ness

tra

il, a

lthou

gh ro

lling

hill

s and

an

occa

sion

al

sand

y or

wet

are

a ar

e th

e m

ost s

ever

e te

sts

this

trai

l will

offe

r. Th

e tra

il ca

n be

wal

ked

from

end

to e

nd b

y al

mos

t any

one,

and

it is

pr

omin

ently

mar

ked

with

pin

k bl

azes

that

ar

e ea

sily

follo

wed

.

The

trail

cros

ses a

num

ber o

f ro

ads a

nd c

an b

e re

ache

d by

ca

r at m

any

poin

ts,

mak

ing

it po

ssib

le to

pla

n m

any

diffe

rent

ty

pes a

nd le

ngth

s of

hik

es.

Cam

ping

alo

ng th

e B

aton

a Tr

ail i

s per

mitt

ed

only

in d

esig

nate

d ca

mps

ites.

Cam

psite

s ar

e av

aila

ble

in W

harto

n St

ate

Fore

st a

t B

aton

a C

amp,

Low

er F

orge

Cam

p an

d B

utto

nwoo

d H

ill C

amp;

in B

rend

an T

. Byr

ne

Stat

e Fo

rest

at t

he fa

mily

site

s or g

roup

ca

mpi

ng a

rea;

and

in B

ass R

iver

Sta

te F

ores

t ne

ar L

ake A

bseg

ami.

A v

alid

per

mit

mus

t be

pro

min

ently

dis

play

ed a

t the

cam

psite

, w

hich

can

be

obta

ined

at t

he a

ppro

pria

te

fore

st o

ffice

. Cam

pfire

regu

latio

ns w

ill b

e ex

plai

ned

whe

n th

e pe

rmit

is is

sued

.

The

Bat

ona

Trai

l is

desi

gnat

ed fo

r hik

ing

only

. Mot

or v

ehic

les,

bicy

cles

and

hor

ses

are

not p

erm

itted

on

the

trail.

Ple

ase

note

th

at a

ll tra

il us

ers

are

subj

ect t

o th

e re

gula

tions

of B

rend

an

T. B

yrne

, Wha

rton

and

Bas

s Riv

er S

tate

For

ests

. Enj

oy th

e be

auty

of

the

Pine

land

s, ta

king

onl

y yo

ur e

xper

ienc

es

and

leav

ing

only

you

r foo

tprin

ts.

The

Pine

land

s Nat

iona

l Res

erve

Our

cou

ntry

’s fir

st N

atio

nal R

eser

ve

The

U.S

. Con

gres

s esta

blish

ed th

e Pi

nela

nds

Nat

iona

l Res

erve

in 1

978

to p

rote

ct a

n ec

olog

ical

ly se

nsiti

ve re

gion

whi

le re

spec

ting

the

herit

age

and

lives

of m

ore

than

700

,000

resid

ents

livin

g w

ithin

it.

The

Pine

land

s enc

ompa

sses

app

roxi

mat

ely

1.1

mill

ion

acre

s cov

erin

g 22

per

cent

of N

ew Je

rsey

’s la

nd a

rea.

It is

the

larg

est r

emai

ning

bod

y of

ope

n sp

ace

on th

e M

id-A

tlant

ic se

aboa

rd b

etw

een

Rich

mon

d an

d Bo

ston.

How

ever

, fro

m A

pple

Pie

H

ill (t

he h

ighe

st po

int i

n th

e Pi

nela

nds)

, you

r vie

w

will

be

a ca

nopy

of t

rees

stre

tchi

ng to

the

horiz

on.

The

prim

ary

trees

are

pitc

h pi

ne a

nd o

ak, a

long

w

ith A

tlant

ic w

hite

ced

ar th

at tr

ace

fore

st str

eam

s. Cr

anbe

rry b

ogs,

tea-

colo

red

river

s, a

few

mea

dow

s an

d w

hite

, san

d ro

ads p

unct

uate

this

land

scap

e.

Bene

ath

the

Pine

land

s lie

s a h

uge

natu

ral r

eser

voir

of p

ure

wat

er e

stim

ated

at 1

7 tri

llion

gal

lons

-en

ough

to c

over

New

Jers

ey in

a la

ke 1

0-fe

et d

eep.

Th

e Pi

nela

nds a

lso is

hom

e to

mor

e th

an 8

50 p

lant

an

d 50

0 an

imal

spec

ies,

incl

udin

g m

any

that

are

th

reat

ened

or e

ndan

gere

d.

In 1

979,

New

Jers

ey fo

rmed

a p

artn

ersh

ip w

ith

the

fede

ral g

over

nmen

t to

pres

erve

, pro

tect

and

en

hanc

e th

e na

tura

l and

cul

tura

l res

ourc

es o

f th

is sp

ecia

l pla

ce. I

n 19

88 it

was

reco

gniz

ed a

s an

Inte

rnat

iona

l Bio

sphe

re R

eser

ve. T

oday

, the

re

gion

is p

rote

cted

in a

man

ner t

hat m

aint

ains

its

uni

que

ecol

ogy

whi

le p

erm

ittin

g re

crea

tiona

l op

portu

nitie

s and

com

patib

le d

evel

opm

ent.

Brendan T. Byrne State ForestToday’s forested acres are a strong contrast to the barren, cleared land that existed during the operation of the Lebanon G

lass Works.

The glass works w

as operated from 1851 to

1867 and shut down after depleting the supply

of wood necessary for the furnace to operate.

Today, visitors to Brendan T. Byrne State Forest are greeted by the fresh scent of pine. N

umerous tea-colored, iron-rich stream

s of pure w

ater flow through acres of sw

ampy land

covered with dense stands of A

tlantic white

cedar. Hikers can follow

sandy trails and roads that crisscross the forest, occasionally passing the rem

ains of stone or brick structures representing w

hat was once a bustling tow

n. For m

ore information about cam

ping and other recreational opportunities at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, call the forest office at (609) 726-1191.

Wharton State Forest

Wharton State Forest, located in the heart of

the Pinelands, is the largest single tract of state-ow

ned land in New

Jersey, containing m

ore than 120,000 acres. The forest is home

to many threatened and endangered plants

and animals including bog asphodel and the

Pine Barrens tree frog. The natural beauty of W

harton State Forest can be appreciated at all tim

es of the year. Miles of trails, pristine

waterw

ays and uninterrupted w

ilderness await the

outdoor enthusiast.

Camping, by perm

it only, is allow

ed at several designated areas. For m

ore inform

ation about W

harton State Forest, call the forest office at (609) 561-0024 or (609) 268-0444.

Bass River State Forest

The State of New

Jersey began acquiring land for the Bass River

Forest Preserve in 1905 that later

became Bass River

State Forest, New

Jersey’s first state

forest. The land was

preserved for public recreation, w

ater conservation

and wildlife and

timber m

anagement. In June 1933, Civilian

Conservation Corps Camp

No. 7 (later changed to

Camp S-55) w

as built along East G

reenbush Road and lasted until the Civilian Conservation Corps ended in 1942 w

ith the onset of W

orld W

ar II. Lake Absegam

i, a 67-acre lake created in the 1930s by the CCC, is the center of the forest’s recreational activities and provides an area for sw

imm

ing and a serene setting for boating, fishing

and birding. A self-guided trail through

the Absegam

i Natural

Area w

anders through a pine/oak w

oods and a sm

all Atlantic

white cedar bog.

There is also a self-guided trail through the rem

ains of the Civilian Conservation Corps cam

p. The forest is hom

e to hundreds of acres of dw

arf pine plains, a globally rare plant com

munity

with pitch

pine trees that

reach a height of only 5 feet to 6 feet. Cam

ping opportunities include cam

psites, lean-tos, shelters and cabins. For m

ore information about

camping and other recreational

opportunities at Bass River State Forest, call the forest office at (609) 296-1114.

For

Furt

her

Info

rmat

ion:

NJ D

epar

tmen

t of

Envi

ronm

enta

l Pro

tect

ion

Div

ision

of P

arks

& F

ores

try

Stat

e Pa

rk S

ervi

cePO

Box

404

Tren

ton,

NJ

0862

5-04

04w

ww.

njpa

rksa

ndfo

rest

s.org

Tell someone w

here you are going and w

hen you plan to return.

Know

your route.

Know

your ability/limitations.

Check the local weather forecast.

Be bear aware.

Map/Com

pass/GPS

Food and Snacks

Water and W

ater Treatment Supplies

Flashlight/Headlam

p

First Aid K

it

Whistle

Insect Repellant

Sunscreen and Sunglasses

Cell Phone (Service availability may be lim

ited.)

Comfortable Footw

ear and Weather

Appropriate Clothing

Camera

Binoculars

Watch

Extra Batteries

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, a web

of industrial centers thrived in what is

now W

harton State Forest. Fueled by the natural resources, these centers produced iron, glass, lum

ber and paper. While m

any are gone today, significant buildings and structures rem

ain at Batsto and Atsion

reflecting the ventures that existed during the 19th century.

Pitcher-Plant

SassafrasPitch Pine

White O

ak

Sweetgum

Blue

berr

y

Bog

Asp

hode

l

G.Mika

Before you hike...

Hiking C

hecklist:

Pine

Bar

ren

Gen

tian

Am

eric

an B

lack

Bea

r

Whi

te-t

aile

d D

eer

Civilian Conservation Corps Mem

orial

RRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRR

Great Blue H

eronA

tlantic White Cedar Forest

Historic Batsto Village

6.10

- JC