Trail Overview
This scenic 20.2-mile route from Lake Atsion to Lake Oswego serves as an ideal introduction to Wharton State Forest and the Pine Barrens, making it perfect for beginners, families, and drivers seeking a relaxing day trip. Winding through the unique ecology of southern New Jersey, the trail features incredibly flat terrain with elevations ranging from 21 feet to 81 feet and a cumulative gain of only 74 feet. The primary surface consists of packed, gravelly sand that is typically passable in two-wheel-drive vehicles under dry conditions. However, dry spells can expose patches of loose sugar sand that may require engaging four-wheel-drive, while wet weather creates large puddles up to 18 inches deep in low-lying depressions that require careful navigation due to soft bottoms. The route begins near the Atsion Mansion ranger station off US 206, with fuel and supplies easily accessible just to the north.
Points of interest along the route provide ample opportunities for photography and historical exploration, including the Hampton Furnace Ruins, the Carranza Memorial, and the wide bridge spanning the clearing of the former town of Friendship. History enthusiasts can reflect on the area's storied past, such as the 1916 payroll ambush of Hampton Cranberry Bogs owner Andrew Rider near the furnace ruins. Additional scenic stops include the first small lake along the path and the destination itself at Oswego Lake, where public restroom facilities are available. Campgrounds along the way also provide outhouses, making this an accommodating and convenient corridor for SxSs, stock four-wheel-drive vehicles, and recreationists alike.
Difficulty
Typically this route could be run with 2WD. The trails are mostly packed, gravelly sand. There are some spots that when dry are more of a sugar sand that can be challenging without 4WD. When it's wet, there can be "puddles" up to about 18 inches in depth that may have a soft bottom.
History
Near the furnace ruins along this trail, Andrew Rider, owner of the Hampton Cranberry Bogs, along with his family and a passenger, was ambushed in 1916 by bandits seeking a $4,000 cash payroll. Although the party successfully escaped with the payroll, Andrew, his daughter, and a passenger were wounded, and his brother Henry was killed. The bandits fled but were eventually captured after a neighbor provided police with details on a suspicious vehicle.
