WHARTON MONTHLY - September 2026

News and Events from Wharton State Forest

See the beginnings of autumn in Wharton State Forest on a fall Friday hike or from the view of Apple Pie Hill during Open Tower Day. You can also explore Batsto Mansion throughout Labor Day weekend or visit us during the incredibly popular Antique, Glass and Bottle Show! 

 

ATTENTION: Entrance fees to Batsto Village will be charged weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 

 

Sept. 5 & 6: "What's Living in Batsto Lake?" Macroinvertebrate Sampling Station 

 

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., stop by Batsto Lake, across from the Sawmill, in Batsto Village, to learn what’s living in Batsto Lake! Wharton State Forest staff will have a water

sample station set up for visitors to look through Batsto Lake water samples to identify what is living in Batsto Lake and what it means for water quality. This is a free

tabling event that is open to all ages. This program will be canceled with heavy winds, rain, thunderstorm or extreme heat.  

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. For more information or to confirm, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. 

 

 

Sept. 5, 6, & 7: Free "Open House" Entry to Batsto Mansion

Enjoy free “open house” access to Batsto Mansion all Labor Day Weekend!  

Wharton State Forest’s historic interpreters will be on-hand to answer questions as visitors explore the first and second floors of the nineteenth-century

home. Batsto Mansion will be open from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Reservations/tickets are not required for entry. 

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. 

 

 

Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26: Inside/Outside Tours of Batsto Mansion and Village 

Enjoy the end of summer and beginning of autumn at Wharton State Forest with a tour of Batsto Village and its impressive Italianate mansion!      

Tours meet in the Batsto Visitor Center and begin with a walk through the village, stopping at notable buildings and locations along the way. They then move inside the mansion, where visitors are invited to explore the nineteenth century home. Both first-time visitors to Batsto and returning guests will find plenty to enjoy and learn about Pine Barrens history!   

Tours are approximately two hours and are available each Saturday in September. Tours begin at 2 p.m. inside the Batsto Visitor Center and are $5 per person. Visitors are strongly encouraged to dress in layers and with comfortable footwear for the outside portion of the tour. Tours may be cancelled or altered due to inclement weather.    

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. 

 

Sept. 7: Nature Center Open 

The Annie M. Carter Nature Center will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for special Labor Day hours!

The Annie M. Carter Nature Center, located on the banks of Batsto Lake in Batsto Village, offers interpretive exhibits about Pine Barrens ecology including

preserved wildlife specimen and interactive displays. Stop by and grab a coloring page, borrow a children’s book, or take a closer look at some nature artifacts at our study station.  

The Annie M. Carter Nature Center is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037, in Batsto Village Historic Site, along Batsto Lake, across from the sawmill. For more information or to confirm open hours, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at (609) 561-0024. 

 

Sept. 11 & 25: Fall Friday Hikes: Celebrate 250 Challenge

Explore the Pine Barrens this autumn season with fall Friday hikes! Every other Friday from September 11 to November 20 at 2:30 p.m., join Wharton State Forest staff on a moderately paced hike to explore the trails in Wharton State Forest. Each month, we will hike a different trail. If you are looking for a group to explore our trails with, hikes in this series are for you! 

For September, we will hike the Batsto Blue Trail. This is a moderately paced, 1.8 mile hike. It will begin at 2:30 p.m. in front of the Batsto Visitor Center. This hike is not ADA accessible. This program is free and no registration is required. The hike will be canceled with extreme heat, heavy rain, thunderstorms or wind and the cancellation will be posted on the Wharton State Forest Facebook page. Please wear sneakers and insect repellent, bring lots of water, and dress for the outdoors! 

You can use this hike in your progress of any of the New Jersey State Parks Celebrate 250 Challenge. You can read more about the challenge and how to participate here!   

The Batsto Visitor Center is in Batsto Village Historic Site located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Wharton State Forest. For more information or to confirm, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. 

 

Sept. 12 & 13: Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend 2026

Celebrate “Girl Scouts Love State Parks” Weekend this September at Wharton State Forest.

 

Attention all Girl Scouts: Wharton State Forest is proudly celebrating Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend September 12th and 13th!   

Programs focusing on both the history and natural world of South Jersey are available to interested Girl Scout Troops and their families: 

Pine Barrens Basics: Guided Hike 

What do you know about our nation’s first national reserve? Join Wharton State Forest’s naturalist on a guided hike and learn the basics about Pine Barrens ecology including how some species survive in such a harsh nutrient poor environment. We’ll also briefly touch on wilderness ethics and what to expect when exploring Wharton State Forest.   

• Saturday, September 12 – 11:00 a.m. 

• Sunday, September 13 – 11:00 a.m. 

Tours meet at the Batsto Visitor Center. For more information or to register, interested Troop Leaders should email Wharton's naturalist at alexandria.horan@dep.nj.gov.

Batsto Mansion Backstage: Guided Tour 

Join Wharton State Forest’s historians as you explore the rarely-seen rooms and spaces within Batsto Mansion. See the “secret” staircase, the tower water tank, and other “behind-the-scenes” areas as historians reveal the hidden histories of the home. Tours also include hands-on time with historic artifacts. 

• Saturday, September 12 – 11:00 a.m. 

• Saturday, September 12 – 2:00 p.m. 

• Sunday, September 13 – 11:00 a.m. 

• Sunday, September 13 – 2:00 p.m. 

Tours are $5 per person and meet at the Batsto Visitor Center. For more information or to register, interested Troop Leaders should email Wharton's historian at john.hebble@dep.nj.gov.  

The Batsto Visitor Center is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village. For more information or to confirm, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.  

 

Sept. 12: Public Star Watch & Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours 

You’re invited to a Free Public Star Watch at Batsto, organized by the West Jersey Astronomical Society (WAS). Members of the Society will have telescopes available for the public to view objects in the night sky. The event is weather permitting, and visitors are encouraged to check the WAS website (https://www.wasociety.us) after 1 p.m. the day of the event to confirm it is still happening should there be cloudy skies.

The Star Watch begins at 7:30 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. in the Batsto Visitor Center auditorium there will be a Comet Demonstration and at 9:00 p.m. there will be a Laser-Guided Constellation Tour in the telescope observation field.

Saturn can be seen with the unaided eye and Neptune with a telescope. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), 2.5 million light years from Earth, is found in the constellation Andromeda and can be seen in dark skies with the unaided eye. A view through the telescope also reveals its satellite galaxies M32 and M110. The Andromeda Galaxy is expected to collide/merge with the Milky Way Galaxy in about 4 billion years. Originally, the Andromeda Galaxy was thought to be a nebula residing in the Milky Way, which was considered the total known universe at the time. In 1925, astronomer Edwin Hubble identified a specific type of star, a Cepheid Variable, in the nebula which allowed for precise measurement of distance. Hubble’s calculations showed that the fuzzy patch was too far away to be a part of our Milky Way Galaxy.

Image Caption: The Andromeda Galaxy a giant barred spiral galaxy contains nearly one trillion stars. The Andromeda Galaxy will eventually merge with the Milky Way Galaxy. Credit: John McDaniel, WAS Member.

Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours 

Historic Interpreters will also be on hand to lead evening walking tours through the village. Tours are free and open to all ages. Visitors interested in walking the village should meet behind the Visitor Center (near the Ore Boat). Tours are 45-55 minutes and are offered at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

For more information on both these events, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037.

Sept. 18: Storytime in the Pines

Wharton State Forest staff invite you to Storytime in the Pines, a free monthly story time and craft program. Join us once a month from June through October under the trees beside the Annie Carter Nature Center in historic Batsto Village.  

Storytime begins at 10 a.m. outside the Nature Center and lasts about 20 minutes, followed by a craft. Children may sit on our outdoor rug or caregivers are welcome to bring their own seating. Please wear insect repellent and sunscreen, bring water, and dress for the outdoors. Please check-in at the Batsto Visitor Center at 9:50 AM before walking down to the Nature Center. 

This month, we’ll be reading “Time for Cranberries” by Lisl H. Detlefsen with a cranberry themed craft to follow. This program is recommended for ages three to seven years old.  

This program is free, but you MUST register. Space and supplies are limited! Registration opens on September 4. When you register, you are only registering for this month's program. 

Visit the program's registration page after September 4th to register!

The Batsto Visitor Center is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village. For more information or to confirm, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. 

 

Sept. 19: Fall Open Tower Day at Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Fall Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower Climb

Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for folks to climb and take in the view. Due to the overwhelming popularity of our previous Apple Pie Hill tower openings, there could be a wait of an hour or more before you ascend the tower.   

• Fire tower maximum capacity by order of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is five (5) persons. If you are coming in a group of more than five people, only five will be allowed on the fire tower at a time.

• To access the Fire Tower top, you will need to independently ascend and descend 9 flights of steps (60 vertical feet each way) with see-through metal grate landings and stair treads and see through waist-high metal railings and banisters. See picture above.

• There are no restrooms or drinking water available.

• The tower climb is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather, safety concerns, or other determinations made by Wharton State Forest staff.  The climb will be cancelled if there are thunderstorms in the area or if rain/snow is falling.

• The tower climb is free and open to the public.

WHERE TO PARK

There are multiple places/ways to park and get to Apple Pie Hill:

• Park at the base of Apple Pie Hill and walk less than 5 minutes to the top of the hill.

• Park at the Batona Trail access point on Burlington County Road 532, Woodland Township between mile markers 12 and 13 and hike the Batona Trail 1 mile to Apple Pie Hill.

• Park at the Carranza Monument on Carranza Road, Tabernacle Township and hike the Batona Trail 4 miles to Apple Pie Hill.

Apple Pie Hill is located here: 39.807222, -74.589444. 

For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024, or the Atsion Office at 609-268-0444.

Sept. 20: Monthly Beginner Bird Watching Walk 

Do you want to start birding? Join Wharton State Forest’s nature interpretive staff for a slow-paced, laid-back walk along the Batsto Red Trail (0.8 miles) to

observe the birds in Wharton State Forest. This walk begins in front of the Batsto Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m. and lasts about 45 minutes. It is free and no

registration is required. We will simply walk and observe the birds we see.  

Walks in this series are geared toward beginners. Attendees can borrow binoculars, as supplies last, but are encouraged to bring their own if they have them.

This month’s walk will cover the Batsto Red Trail (0.8 miles). This program will be cancelled with heavy rain, high winds, extreme heat or thunderstorms.

Please wear sneakers and insect repellent, bring lots of water, and dress for the outdoors! 

The Batsto Visitor Center is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village. For more information or to confirm, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. 

 

Sept. 27: Fall Antique, Glass & Bottle Show

Visit Batsto Village Historic Site on Sunday, September 27 and join us for our annual Fall Antique, Glass and Bottle Show presented by the Batsto Citizens

Committee, Inc. View Pine Barrens treasures, search for that rare find to add to your own collection, or simply take a stroll through historic Batsto Village!   

The Fall Antique, Glass and Bottle Show takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., rain or shine.    

While in the village, be sure to stop by Batsto Mansion for “open house” entry to the home. The first and second floors will be open to the public from

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wharton State Forest staff will be on hand to answer questions and guide visitors through the history of the house. The Batsto Post Office will

also be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to send post cards and letters, hand canceled in the historic building! Lastly, the Annie M. Carter Nature Center will also be

open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by to learn about the Pinelands National Reserve! 

For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. 

 

Happening Throughout September

 

Visit the Annie M. Carter Nature Center

The Annie M. Carter Nature Center will be open to the public from 12 to 3 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in September. 

The Annie M. Carter Nature Center, located on the banks of Batsto Lake in Batsto Village, offers interpretive exhibits about Pine Barrens ecology including preserved

wildlife specimen and interactive displays. Stop by and grab a coloring page, borrow a children’s book, or take a closer look at some nature artifacts at our study station.  

Staffing availability, inclement weather, and other unforeseen circumstances could affect open hours. We encourage you to call, day-of, to confirm hours.   

The Annie M. Carter Nature Center is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037, in historic Batsto Village, along Batsto Lake, across from the sawmill. For more

information or to confirm open hours, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at (609) 561-0024.

 

Batsto Post Office Open Every Sunday in September

Did you know that the Batsto Post Office can still send mail? First opened by Jesse Richards in 1852, the Batsto Post Office is one of the four oldest 

post offices currently operating in the United States!  

The Batsto Post Office will be open each Sunday afternoon (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) in September. Bring your pre-stamped postcards and letters to the village to

receive a unique Batsto postal cancellation. Stamped postcards are also available for purchase. While you are in the Post Office, be sure to grab some popcorn

from the Snack Stand downstairs or spend some time in the attached Glass Museum! Containing examples of nineteenth and twentieth-century glass, as well

as historic artifacts found throughout Batsto, the Glass Museum is the perfect complement to a mansion tour and stroll through the village.  

For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. 

 

Guided Tours of Atsion Mansion   

You’re invited to explore one of the most notable examples of Greek Revival architecture in South Jersey! Guided tours of Atsion Mansion are available each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout September. Inside, visitors can see the house largely as it was in 1826. Built by Atsion’s Ironmaster, Samuel Richards, nearly 200 years ago, the building has never been “modernized” with plumbing or electricity!

Tours of Atsion Mansion are offered at the following times throughout September:

• Friday: 1 and 2 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m.

Tours are approximately 45-55 minutes long and begin outside, between the mansion and office. Scheduled events and public programming may impact Atsion Mansion’s tour schedule, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead on the day of their visit to confirm tour times and availability.

Tour tickets can be purchased at the Atsion Office and are $3 for visitors over the age of 12, $1 for visitors ages 5-11 and free for visitors under 5-years-old.

Atsion Mansion is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088. For more information or to confirm Atsion Mansion Tour availability, please call the Atsion Office at 609-268-0444.

Guided Tours of Batsto Mansion

Falling temperatures mean it’s the perfect time for a stroll through Batsto Village and a tour of its impressive mansion! Originally built in the eighteenth century as a small ironmaster’s house, the mansion now stands as it appeared after Joseph Wharton renovated the home in 1878. Serving as a vacation home for his family, the Batsto Mansion is an excellent example of the Italianate and Eastlake styles, both popular with the Victorian upper-class.

Tours of Batsto Mansion are offered at the following times throughout September:

• Wednesday through Friday: 2 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m.

Tours are approximately 45-55 minutes long and begin on the mansion porch. Scheduled events and public programming may impact Batsto Mansion’s tour schedule, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead on the day of their visit to confirm tour times and availability.

Tickets can be purchased at the Batsto Visitor Center and are $3 for visitors over the age of 12, $1 for visitors ages 5-11 and free for visitors under 5-years-old.

Batsto Mansion is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village. For more information or to confirm Batsto Mansion Tour availability, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

Shopping at Wharton State Forest

The fall season brings a fresh supply of new items to our Museum Shop! In keeping with the season of pumpkins and spiced drinks, stop into the Batsto Visitor Center and pick up a beautiful glass pumpkin. These one of a kind, hand crafted pieces were made especially for Batsto Village by Pezz Glassworks, a New Jersey based glassblowing studio specializing in unique handmade decorative glass items. After you check out the pumpkins, be sure to grab one of our new Carabiner Mugs. These handy mugs are perfect for camping or hiking. They clip onto your pack and are ready whenever you are to enjoy a hot or cold beverage.
If you’re not sure what to try in your new mug, consider sampling one of the new teas available from our newest member of the Batsto vendor family: the Jekyll and Hyde Beverage Company. Their locally made teas come in many unusual flavors and after the first taste you may find yourself wanting to take one of each home.
Visit the Batsto Museum Shop in the Visitor Center on September 27th during the Antique, Glass, and Bottle Show to try a sample of this new treat. The Jekyll and Hyde Beverage Company will be on site to debut their tea to the village. Alongside the Jekyll and Hyde Beverage Company, we are happy to once again welcome Michael C. Gabriele, author of numerous books on New Jersey, who will be signing copies of his works.
Batsto Museum Shop is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village.
The Atsion General Store is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088. For more information or to confirm inventory availability, please call the Atsion General Store at 609-268-0444 or the Batsto Museum Shop at 609-561-0024.

About Wharton State Forest

Located in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Wharton State Forest is New Jersey's largest state forest. It encompasses approximately 125,000 acres covering

parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties providing a variety of recreational activities including hiking, biking, swimming and horseback riding. It is

home to historic Batsto Village, Batsto and Atsion Mansions, and the Atsion Recreation Area. You can find more information about Wharton State Forest and

other New Jersey state parks on our website at https://dep.nj.gov/wharton.

Wharton State Forest Office Locations

Atsion Office
744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088, (609) 268-0444

Batsto Office, Museum and Store
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ  08037, (609) 561-0024

Both offices are open 7 days a week (except major holidays) 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.