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Wharton State Forest–

This 110,000 acre state forest lies in the northern area of the Pine Barrens and includes over 500 miles of unpaved roads. The forest incorporates Atlantic, Burlington and Camden Counties. It contains a section of the Batona trail, a 50 mile stretch which connects the Bass River State forest with the Lebanon State forest. Two offices serve the park, one at Batsto Village and the other in Atsion on Route 206, eight miles north of Hammonton. The forest is open dawn till dusk, year round.

This is one of the major “hot-spots” for Jersey Devil activity, along with Leeds Point in the vicinity of The Shourds House, and Bamber lake (“Places” page coming soon for Bamber lake area). Batsto village is located within the park and has had a number of sightings associated with it. There may be some relationship between Batsto and the Jersey Devil, making it a “hot-spot”. The creature may have a connection with fire, and records show that the town once burned to the ground in 1874. At that time, the population had recently dwindled and there were not enough residents on hand to extinguish the flames of all the newly abandoned buildings.

In the Photos area, you will find that a good portion of them were taken in Wharton State Forest. Have a look at those to get a feel for the area. It is after all, the "land of the devil".

Directions to Wharton State Forest:
Wharton State forest is hundreds of square miles in size, and can be found in central New Jersey in the general vicinity of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.