About Atsion Recreation Area
Located at the northern end of Wharton State Forest, the Atsion Recreation Area offers picnic areas, swimming, and access to hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, and wildlife observation. Wharton State Forest, the largest single tract in the New Jersey State Park System, features the Batona Trail, unpaved roads, rivers, and ponds, supporting diverse wildlife including bald eagles, ospreys, beavers, foxes, and deer.
The Atsion Mansion, built in 1826 as a summer home for ironmaster Samuel Richards, was later used by the Raleigh family and, after 1892, by Joseph Wharton for cranberry storage. The state acquired the property in 1955. Restored to its 1826 appearance, the mansion is unfurnished and lacks modern utilities, offering an architectural tour focused on its Greek Revival design. Tours are available with admission fees for adults and children.