Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest

First time staying down in the extremely sandy pine barrens. We arrived to camp after a torrential rain; many sites, including ours, experienced flooding. Luckily, within a couple of hours this cleared up.

The grounds were lovely and a majority of the sites were generously sized. We stayed at site #47, which had great canopy cover, while allowing nice bits of sunshine. Great size. Private. Site #48 next to us was massive, and at least double the size of ours; that one also offered great shade and privacy, and would be great for larger groups. Really, the only site I wouldn’t recommend is #11- it is super tiny and wide open with little privacy.

Some things to note, potable water pumps didn’t work. Also heard that the men’s showers were a little unkempt. Women’s seemed decent, though outdated is an understatement. It’s not exactly clear how this campground is managed because there are no rangers on site. The bathrooms at least get cleaned in the morning, and there are occasional drive-bys of state park police. Otherwise, there’s certainly no enforcement being done and the noise from other campers got a bit crazy.

Atsion Family Campground

Off US 206 and about 1/2 a mile up Atsion Road in New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest, you’ll find the Atsion Family Campground. The facility is run by the Dept of Environmental Protection and offers Tent, Trailer and Group Sites. There are also Cabins for rent as well, but only available during the summer months, After Memorial Day until October. AFC is one of several campgrounds in WSF and is the largest with 50 camping sites. Amenities include a handicapped accessible restroom/shower building, several drinking water spigots, and a waste dump for trailers. There are no electric hook ups and cell service is low, but manageable. Plenty of sun (shady too) so bring your solar powered generators and cell signal boosters if you need to stay connected. AFC is also pet friendly, so bring your 4 legged furry family members, after registering them with the camp site.

The individual sites are spacious with a pic-nick table and fire ring grill. Some sites have lake-side water access, so bring your canoes and kayaks and reserve these sites (4, 8, 10, 12, 20 and 22) early as they are popular. The ground is sandy and relatively level for easy camp set up. Some sites are close to a roadway, so you do get some car noise, and like all unmonitored camp sites, loud, unruly campers can be lurking among the pines. Be sure to get your fire wood from the guy that lives across the street from the campground entrance. 5 bucks, on the honor system, a good amount of wood, open 24/7.

Nearby is the Atsion Recreation Area, which offers fishing, walking, biking and horseback trails, a life guard monitored beach by the lake with restrooms and snacks (Summer Months). Only 15 minutes away, a quick drive, is Batso Village, an old iron and glass community from the late 1700s to early 1900s. NJ State Park Rangers are working hard keeping the area clean, rehabilitated, and educational center allowing you to walk through the old buildings and time as you image what life was like back then. Wharton SF is huge, over 122,000 acres of sandy terrain, towering pine trees, lakes/rivers and off roading trails!! Y’all should come and play in the Pine Barrens

A low-key, low amenities sandy spot in the NJ Pinelands. This was a nice large site in the“pet-friendly” section(sites 26-34) of the campground. Site 34 is close to Atsion Road, so there was car noise, but it wasn’t really an issue to us. The restroom/shower facility was very clean. There is access to potable water, though there is no dishwashing station, so you need to create your own system at your campsite. Directly across the street from the entrance to the campground is a family that sells firewood for$5 a bundle for you to carry away. 

Only criticism relates to poor communication on how to check-in. On the day of our arrival, the Wharton State Forest Atsion Office(not on-site), where we thought we were supposed to check-in, was closed and a sign on the door said to use the Batsto Office—a phone number was provided, but multiple attempts at calling resulted in a constant busy signal. Couldn’t make it to the Batsto Office in time(it closes at 4pm). We just gave up, as the site is paid for and they have our information. 

Lots of really huge sites at this campground and some with lake views and access for kayaks/canoes. 

Stayed over Sunday into Monday, and felt like we had the place to ourselves!

As someone else mentioned, the road noise from Atsion Rd is a bit of a bummer. The sites further in from the road, and especially on the water, are probably really nice. Ours was on the water but closest to the road. I think this is also the only campground in Wharton that has actual bathrooms, which were nice and clean.

The Atsion Family Campground was my first time camping in Wharton State Forest. The site I chose was right next to the water which made for some very scenic views during my brief stay. Rangers were present and thought we were crazy for pitching a tent in a snow storm but it made for a very memorable experience. Only took off one star because I wished the sites were more spaced out or had more shruberry to separate sites.

Went during the week, there were 4 sites taken adjacent to me, the rest of the campsite barely had anyone. Unfortunately 2 of them were taken by a large family group who were pretty loud until midnight - no fault of the campsite, just note that this place will have a higher frequency of this type of visitor. 

I had a waterfront site, although you can't really see the water from the site itself. Two paths led down to the lake, about 20 feet. There was a bag tied to a tree with someone's trash in it. Speaking of trash, there was a lot of little bits scattered throughout the site, I spent my camp setup time also picking out the worst offenders (bottle caps, broken glass, zip ties, broken off plastic bits of kids toys etc.)

Size-wise, very spacious and open - which is good in some ways but I had to account for shade as well as a place to rig a ridgeline for my tarp (i.e., all the trees ring the edge of the site in the brush). Picnic table and fire ring were in good shape. 

The boundaries between neighbors are pretty much non-existent. Water isn't too far from any site and the bathrooms were in good shape. Unlike Brendan Byrne, this one had some hooks to hang your bags on.  

The campsite runs along a local road that doesn't get much traffic, but you'll definitely hear cars going by at 50 mph.

Across the street from the entrance is a home that sells sundries and firewood. Down at the Atsion office a mile away they can sell you firewood as well. Picalilli Inn isn't far, they have great wings. Batsto is a 15 minute drive. Hikes start either there or you can access from Atsion as well. There are little trails around the campsite too.

All in all a decent place, solid facilities, and convenient

Atsion is a hidden gem. Bathrooms continuously clean during Covid. Lots of families. Beautiful sunsets and great hiking trails close by.

Nice place for a weekend getaway. A little hard to find the right spot we had reserved but once you've been there it's an easy go. Good spot if you don't mind neighbors in the vicinity. Quiet but not too remote. Plenty of places to walk through the woods.

Nice and flat! Watch for ticks!!!

Wharton Forest has several campgrounds.

We tent camped at Atsion in 2015: had flush toilets and was close to the checkin station/store as well as the beach on the lake. Some sites were right on the water and the sites were very big.

We wanted a more rustic experience and tent camped at Bodine campground in 2018. Our site was right on Wading River and we launched our kayaks right at the site! Our tent is has a full view of the sky and at night it was like a planetarium as we admired the sky from our cots. Pit toilets, pump water, fire ring, nice big site. Road in is sandy but it is the pine barrens. Although we were there on Friday the 13th, sadly neither Jason or the Jersey Devil stopped by for s’mores.

Good campgrounds. There was moderate traffic and a few other people while I was there. Everyone was respectful inconsiderate. Facilities were under average.

I haven't seen a review since 2017 and that should have been my first clue. Let me start by saying the check in area was nearly 12 miles away from the site. At the site there were no bathrooms. One outhouse which smelled like death for the entire camp site. I would say there had to be about 60 people using one outhouse NO FLUSHING! Ewwwwwwwwwwwww Camp sites were one on top of the other. There were no clearly marked roads and several cars got stuck in the sand area, one car even drove through our site during the night. Luckily we werent run over. There were no picnic tables either. If you didnt have a table and/or chair you stood all weekend. The road leading to the actual site was full of twists and turns and we nearly smashed into a tree coming out of a turn doing about 20 mph. The police patrolled at 730 pm, 930 and then 1130. THERE WAS NO INTERNET, CELLULAR SERVICE. That didnt bother me but the fact that if there was an emergency there was no way to contact police was pretty alarming. I honestly didnt think the mosquitos or bug situation was bad. There was a questionable tick but didnt see much more than spiders and ants. The lake/beach area also 12 miles away was really nice. You could rent a paddle board, canoe or kayak for a reasonable fee. We will not be back because of the unkempt roads, no running water.(Hey if you want only port a potties ok but put enough to be sanitary for the 60 or so people you jam in on top of each other.) and no way to reach the outside world in an emergency.

state forest, most camping areas worth going to are primitive with no electricity, showers or potable water. hiking into camp ranges anywhere from 3/4 of a mile to 3 Miles. it can be hot and buggy in the summer but the solitary vibe can’t be beat. prices are very reasonable being a state run forest.

Campsite G014 was awesome! It was a great location, closest site to the water with beautiful views. Super convenient if you're a Kayaker, you can launch right off that spot. Its a huge site, away from other sites. Fire ring is on site but I'd reccomend bringing your own grate as the one provided on the ring is SERIOUSLY bent. You risk loosing your dinner into the flames. It's close to the main road but if you position your tent properly, its not a big deal. It's a short walk to the drinking water pump, the parking area and a VERY primitive out house. Bring your own waste bucket if sharing with others isn't yoir thing. Roads into the place are single car only, with a good amount of spots to pull off if you find your self head to head with another vehicle. Pretty bumpy road. Great location, short ride to Atsion lake. If you find yourself needing supplies, theres a walmart and other stores only 15 -20 mins away.

LOVE!!!! I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake. While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails). In the area there are historic buildings and ruins you get to by “off roading” on all dirt roads. Great places to kayak and Pineland Adventures right down the street has wonderful trips!

Me and my girlfriends first camping trip so we're both kinda new to the whole thing. This place was great for beginners. Had plenty of space at the campsite, picnic table and fire pit. Lots to do in the surrounding area too!

Fun! Close enough to Philly for a day trip.

Wharton state forest provided us with the great outdoor and camping experience! The campside was clean, spacious, includes the firepit and the table. While we were surrounded by other campers, we enjoyed how private it was!!! Will come back again!!!

My friends and I stayed here overnight for Cotopaxi's philly questival- it's easy to find, well-maintained, and the campsites are spaced so you can meet other people but also have your own space in the woods! Also loved the produce stand across the street from the entrance.

My friends and I stayed at Atsion during Cotopaxi's Questival in 2017. It was great! Very accessible, and Wharton State Forest was a beautiful backyard for a night!

This site was spacious with a picnic table and fire pit, with plenty of room for the tent and car. Very pretty campground. We enjoyed our stay!

Spent time at the Lake Atsion campground (which has showers) and kayaked to primitive backcountry sites. Really something for everyone.

Wonderful bird watching, especially during migration. Fantastic kayaking.

Old town of Batso is in the forest, and has fun blacksmithing and other old time activities.