Wharton State Forest park
Wharton State Forest
Reasons to Visit:
1. Natural Beauty: Wharton State Forest boasts breathtaking landscapes, including extensive pine and oak forests, meandering rivers, tranquil lakes, and picturesque cranberry bogs.
2. Outdoor Recreation: The forest provides abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, such as hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, and cycling. With over 500 miles of trails, visitors can explore the forest's diverse ecosystems and enjoy scenic vistas.
3. Historical Significance: Wharton State Forest is home to several historical attractions, including Batsto Village, a well-preserved 18th-century village that showcases the region's iron-making industry. Additionally, visitors can explore remnants of ghost towns, old mills, and other historical sites that offer a glimpse into the area's past.
Points of Interest:
1. Batsto Village: This historic village features well-preserved buildings, including a mansion, blacksmith shop, gristmill, and general store, giving visitors a glimpse into life during the 18th-century iron industry boom.
2. Mullica River: The Mullica River is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking, offering serene waterways, abundant wildlife, and beautiful scenery.
3. Carranza Memorial: This monument honors Mexican aviator Emilio Carranza, who tragically crashed nearby in 1928 while attempting to complete a goodwill flight between Mexico and New York City.
Interesting Facts:
1. Wharton State Forest is part of the Pine Barrens, a unique and ecologically important region known for its sandy soil, extensive pine forests, and diverse plant and animal species.
2. This forest has been the backdrop for several movies, including scenes from the original "Friday the 13th" and "The Bounty."
3. Wharton State Forest is also home to the legendary "Jersey Devil," a mythical creature said to inhabit the Pine Barrens.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Wharton State Forest is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild, and the forest is vibrant with foliage. Spring brings blooming flowers and migratory bird sightings, while fall showcases stunning foliage colors. Summer is also a popular time for outdoor activities, but visitors should be prepared for hotter temperatures.
To ensure accuracy, it is advisable to verify the information provided by cross-referencing multiple reputable sources.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Wharton State Forest, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttonwood Hill Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Bodine Field | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Godfrey Bridge Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Godfrey Bridge - Wharton State Forest | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Hawkin Bridge Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Mullica River Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Wharton State Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Wharton State Forest
What can I do at Wharton State Forest?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Wharton State Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Wharton State Forest.