Backpacking the Batona Trail: Inside New Jersey’s Pine Barrens

Join an in-store presentation exploring the Batona Trail, South Jersey’s only multi-day backpacking route and a 52-mile journey through the heart of the Pine Barrens. Unlike the rocky ridgelines found elsewhere in the region, the Batona offers a quieter, more subtle kind of adventure, with flat sandy paths winding through pitch pine forests, cedar swamps, and one of the largest protected forest ecosystems on the East Coast. Led by a local backpacker with deep experience on the trail, this session will help you approach the Batona Trail with confidence. Learn how to plan your route, understand seasonal conditions, manage limited water sources, and navigate the trail’s simple but unique blaze system. We’ll also dig into camping considerations, gear choices for sandy terrain, and what makes hiking and backpacking in the Pine Barrens so different from other East Coast destinations. About our speaker: Ben Scioli is a local hiker, camper, and backpacker who has completed the Batona Trail multiple times. Ben brings firsthand knowledge, local insight, and a passion for helping others explore the Pine Barrens thoughtfully and prepared.