Cabin camping near Elizabeth, New Jersey provides rustic accommodations within a 1-2 hour drive of the metropolitan area. Most cabin facilities operate from April through October, with a few locations offering year-round availability. Winter cabin stays at sites like Stokes State Forest require visitors to manage wood stoves for heat when temperatures drop below freezing.
What to do
Water activities on Panther Lake: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers fishing, boating, and swimming options during summer months. One camper noted, "There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental."
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park maintains an archery range where visitors can practice their skills with hay barrels as targets. A reviewer mentioned, "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods."
Hiking network: The region features extensive trail systems connecting multiple recreation areas. At Stokes State Forest, "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail." Trails range from beginner-friendly paths to challenging elevation changes.
What campers like
Spacious tent platforms: Many cabin campers appreciate the option to set up additional sleeping arrangements. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "They have these 12x12 platforms to put your tent on. This was pretty cool especially since some of the sites are all gravel with surrounding dirt. The sites are very large."
Lakeside cabin locations: Waterfront cabin sites provide peaceful settings with wildlife viewing opportunities. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, cabins with reservoir views offer special experiences: "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning."
Winter cabin heating: Camp Glen Gray provides well-maintained winter cabin facilities. A regular visitor noted, "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails." The wood stoves effectively heat cabins during colder months.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality and cleanliness of restrooms differ significantly between locations. At Spruce Run, one camper warned, "I can not speak to the condition of the bathrooms, I stopped going into them 6 years ago as soon as I bought a cassette toilet to avoid them."
Bear safety requirements: Many northern New Jersey campgrounds require proper food storage. In Stokes State Forest, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes."
Alcohol policies differ: Rules regarding alcohol consumption vary by location. Great Divide Campground permits alcohol, while other state parks prohibit it. One camper noted about Mahlon Dickerson: "Campground rules do not list anything about alcohol on the website or the emailed rules given after reservation, however there is a alcohol prohibited sign as you enter."
Tips for camping with families
Off-season benefits: Scheduling family cabin trips during shoulder seasons reduces crowds. One visitor to Allaire State Park remarked, "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."
Bug prevention: Prepare for insects, especially at water-adjacent cabins. A Turkey Swamp camper cautioned, "We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too."
Vehicle restrictions: Some campgrounds limit car access to cabin areas. At Camp Glen Gray, "No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking cabin or RV sites, location matters significantly. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "If bringing your RV, the safest bet is to reserve a spot with no shade as the other spots often times have very low hanging tree limbs."
Water connection preparation: Many campgrounds require extended hoses for water hookups. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park advised, "Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric."
Dump station access: Cabin campers with portable toilets should note dump station availability. At Great Divide Campground, "The dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground."
