Cabins near Andover, New Jersey offer year-round camping opportunities in northwestern New Jersey's highlands region, approximately 900-1,300 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer months typically range from 70-85°F with moderate humidity. Several state forests and private campgrounds maintain cabin accommodations through all seasons, though availability varies based on weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers a lake stocked for fishing. According to a camper, "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities."
Wolf preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground provides access to an on-site wolf sanctuary. A visitor noted, "The wolf preserve at the same location was just amazing - we learned so much and could hear the wolves howl from the campsite. Hiked to Mt. Tammany from the campsite for the best view in NJ (9 miles round trip)."
Hiking to monuments: High Point State Park features trails leading to the highest point in New Jersey. One reviewer shared, "We took one afternoon to visit the High Point Monument, which was lovely. No room for yard games, but we spent the time relaxing and burning stuff. The site was very secluded."
Kayaking and paddleboats: Several campgrounds offer water activities on their lakes. A visitor to Camp Taylor mentioned, "Swimming pond with paddleboat and kayak rentals. Clean Bathrooms. We walked to the point at Mt Tammany for a great view of the river."
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers private camping experiences. A camper reported, "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. And yet it's only about a 15 minute drive to a large mall with movies, shopping, and restaurants."
Family-friendly activities: Kids enjoy the various structured activities at some campgrounds. One visitor to Great Divide Campground shared, "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Some areas are a little steeper then I would like to set up on, but that's me. Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities."
Cabin convenience: Campers appreciate the balance of rustic and comfortable amenities. A reviewer at Jenny Jump State Forest noted, "This is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! The 'shelter' is what we would describe as a 'cabin'; four walls, a roof, locking door, locking windows, large picture frame front window, four beds(two bunks), a wood burning stove, and a porch."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high in importance. A visitor to Swartswood State Park observed, "The bathroom and shower area was very clean, and I had my first bear encounter which was exciting. Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning — gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!"
What you should know
Bear-aware camping: This region has black bear activity requiring proper precautions. A visitor to Jenny Jump State Forest mentioned, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Cabin preparation: Basic necessities aren't always included with accommodations. "The mattresses are vinyl covered, so you can wipe them down with your own sanitizing wipes. There was hand sanitizer in each cabin as well," shared one Stokes State Forest camper.
Firewood options: Most parks sell firewood, but quality varies. A camper noted, "The park office is not nearby, about 2(?) miles away. They sell wood, and there are a few road stands near the campground, but that wood is wet. You'll need to find some birch to get your fire going."
Seasonal limitations: Some facilities close during winter or have reduced services. A High Point State Park visitor mentioned, "Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near play areas for convenience. A visitor to Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA shared, "Our camp site was great (52), backed onto a wooded area and a big playground was directly in front of us, which worked out perfectly since we have school age kids."
Special programs for kids: Look for campgrounds with organized activities. At Mountain Vista Campground, a camper noted, "Our favorite family campground! The staff is friendly and helpful and they have a ton of great activities from kids carnival, craft beer tastings, farmers market, bingo...the list goes on!"
Water features: Lakes and pools provide entertainment for children. According to one Great Divide visitor, "The kids had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around. Pool was packed so didn't spend time there but the ceramic class was fun for the girls."
Site selection: For family groups, certain areas offer better accommodations. A camper recommended, "If you have a big crew then there are plenty of joint spots. It was just two of us and two dogs so we would like a little more privacy."
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Many campgrounds have varied terrain. A visitor to Great Divide Campground mentioned, "Most sites are level. Some areas are a little steeper then I would like to set up on, but that's me."
Utility hookups: Availability varies by campground. According to a Swartswood State Park camper, "Website lists water hook ups at long distances but they have hose reels to help with that. Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our rv connection."
Off-season advantages: Quieter experiences outside peak seasons. One RVer shared, "The area was incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast."
Access challenges: Some cabin areas have difficult terrain. A visitor noted, "Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents. There was plenty of space on the site for more tents. Site came with bear proof bin for garbage and fire ring."
