On May 15, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids for licensees to conduct Guided Land-Based Educational Tours at Wharton State Forest.  Under an extension of the bid deadline, bids for this RFP were due October 17, 2024.

The Department has now withdrawn the RFP in order to conduct additional research about its recreational needs at Wharton State Forest, and throughout the State Park System, and about how it should structure its agreements with outside entities to provide such services.

In the interim, commercial operators or others wishing to conduct guided land-based tours at Wharton State Forest, or other State parks, should contact the park office for guidance about whether a Special Use Permit is needed for their specific event.

Wharton State Forest Information:  https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/whartonstateforest.html

State Parks and Forests Website:  https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/index.html

Special Use Permit Information:  https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/special_use_permits.html

Information About Additional Fees that May Apply to Use of State Parks by Groups:  https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/relatedfees.html