Batsto River Evacuation
Learn more about preparing for a trip on the Batsto River
Last Saturday (May 23), a group had to be evacuated from the Batsto river, and vague reports about the incident created much speculation and commentary on social media. Pinelands Adventures has received numerous calls from understandably concerned members of our community after seeing these reports, and we would like to offer some clarification.
Pinelands Adventures was not involved in facilitating this trip, nor were we consulted regarding the trip plan or the subsequent extraction by first responders, EMS, Forest Fire Service personnel, and rescue crews.
The group parked and launched at Hampton Furnace off Hampton Road into the upper reaches of the Batsto River. While there is a sign at this location indicating the start of the Batsto River trail, they were not informed that this stretch of river is not passable without numerous portages and extensive bushwhacking due to multiple blowdowns and blockages. Cool, rainy conditions only made it worse for all involved.
Pinelands Adventures has not run trips on this section since the fires collapsed an old train bridge into the river.
This four-mile stretch between Hampton Furnace and Lower Forge Camp has always been more difficult due to its natural features and sensitivity to drought conditions. Some areas are so shallow that the river all but disappears. It is essentially a floodplain area fed by the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, where surface waters form into small headwater streams like the Skit Branch, nourishing the stronger flow downstream. This is where the Batsto River is born.
Pinelands Adventures launches Batsto River trips in the middle to lower sections of the river from mile marker 6 at Quaker Bridge on Quaker Bridge Road, with pickups at Batsto Lake Landing near Route 542 in Hammonton. We also offer guidance and services if you want to paddle upstream from mile marker 6 to Lower Forge Campground. Just give us a call, and we can help you plan that!
If you paddle with Pinelands Adventures, whether using your own boat or ours, you can be assured that we have your back every mile of your trip. We set guests up for success, explain what to expect, and help match paddlers with the experience they are looking for. If challenges arise during one of our trips, we are there for you. We actively monitor multiple lines of communication, and if we do not hear from you, we follow a protocol, and we set out to find you. Our staff are experienced professionals carrying multiple Wilderness and First Aid certifications. We know when it is time to call for emergency services. Nobody gets left behind.
Whether you use our services or not, we are always happy to answer questions about the Batsto and Mullica Rivers, and our website is a valuable resource when planning your trip.
Our team cleared the Batsto River from mile marker 6 to mile marker 12 in early April. We continue to monitor and maintain this section of the river. The Mullica River, from mile marker 0 to mile marker 11 at Pleasant Mills/Route 542 was also cleared by our team this season and is open for paddling and access to Mullica Wilderness Camp for overnight adventures.
Pinelands Adventures is continually monitoring and mitigating trouble spots as they arise, and conditions on these rivers are always changing. Planning is the key to having a safe and enjoyable experience.
We are very glad that the group who needed assistance last weekend made it home safely and that no one was injured. They did exactly what they were supposed to do, and the group leaders made the best possible decision for the safety of everyone involved. They had an emergency plan in place, and they were able to get off the river.
We hope to see familiar and new faces alike back at Pinelands Adventures for another season of peaceful paddling down the gentle cedar-water rivers of Wharton State Forest.
Be safe, plan ahead, and enjoy time in the Pines!