Cabin camping options near Belmar, New Jersey range from rustic forest retreats to lakeside accommodations. Several state and county parks within a 30-mile radius provide cabins with varying amenities, most requiring reservations months in advance. The cabins serve as convenient base camps for exploring New Jersey's coastal areas and pine forests.
What to do
Biking trails network: Allaire State Park offers extensive biking opportunities ranging from paved paths to challenging single track. "Great canp ground and State Park. Very clean with professional staff. Lots to do in the area! Mountain Biking from easy, paved trails to several miles of single track with everything in between," notes Beau B., who visited Allaire State Park.
Winter camping experiences: Several parks maintain year-round cabin availability with heating options. Lisa S. mentions about winter camping at Allaire: "We found this campground one night when we were in NJ. It ended up snowing that night. the bathrooms were clean and warm. There is a lot to do in the area."
Water activities: At Turkey Swamp Park, visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboating from spring through fall. "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on," according to Tylen L.
Archery range: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range that's popular with families. Dan W. noted: "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Brendan Byrne State Forest cabins and campsites. Lindsay D. shares: "Nice and quiet, sites are spaced out enough to offer privacy. Good trees for hammocking! Plenty of room for a few tents at each site."
Proximity to beaches: Luxury glamping in Belmar, New Jersey and surrounding areas provides easy access to beaches. As Dan X. notes about Allaire: "A really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns." This makes glamping options near Belmar attractive for combining forest and beach experiences.
Year-round availability: Some cabin sites remain open through winter. Patrick M. shares about Allaire: "This may be my favorite spot. I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites... Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there."
Site size and facilities: Atsion Family Camp offers spacious waterfront cabins with lake access. Alexa L. recommends: "I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake. While camping at atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)."
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Some cabin sites at Allaire are affected by road noise. Justin S. mentions: "Tent camped July 1st. Clean bathrooms. Sites are a little too close together. Noisy with highway traffic. Well maintained though. Ticks galore."
Tick prevention essential: Multiple parks report significant tick activity, particularly in summer. At Turkey Swamp Park, LAURA Y. warns: "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2."
Bathroom facilities vary: Some parks have modern facilities while others are more rustic. At Turkey Swamp Park, Lee D. notes: "Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided. The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used."
Site surface conditions: Many sites are sandy or dirt-based, which affects tent camping. At Allaire, Dwight D. observed: "Flat ground, sand, dirt, moss, leaves. Enough space for 2-3 tents. Lots of trees for hammocks. Wheelchair accessible picnic table."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Multiple parks feature playground facilities for children. Katheryn N. says about Turkey Swamp: "There are playgrounds and picnic areas as well. This is a lovely campground."
Bug management crucial: For glamping in Belmar area with children, insect protection is essential. JAEWOOK P. shares a positive experience: "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite!"
Historical learning opportunities: Timberland Lake Campground offers proximity to educational sites. Jessica D. notes: "Very close to Six Flags Great adventure. You can hear the lions in the morning. There is a road that goes between the campground and the Safari you can drive, walk, or bicycle down and see the animals!"
Reservation timing: Book family cabins and glamping sites 3-6 months in advance, especially for summer weekends. Robyn W. mentions about Timberland Lake: "I scored this a 4 because you can't beat the price for area. However my biggest issue is the sand for all pull-throughs."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Pine Cone Campgrounds offers full-service sites with electricity and water. However, Bradley B. cautions about bathroom facilities: "The campsite falls short in terms of its bathroom facilities. The stall doors are quite small and lack privacy, which can be a discomfort for many guests."
Road quality concerns: Access roads at some parks may be challenging for larger RVs. Lee D. notes about Turkey Swamp: "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
Site leveling: Most luxury glamping sites near Belmar provide level areas, but traditional RV sites vary. Stacy D. reports about Wading Pines: "Check in was easy but the roads are narrow and we had a hard time getting on to site 145."