New Jersey's glamping and cabin camping options sit within the distinctive geography of the Garden State's northern highlands region, where forested hills alternate with valleys and reservoirs. Elevations in this region reach around 1,500 feet, providing moderate terrain suitable for various camping styles. The typical glamping season near Elizabeth runs from April through October, with some locations extending through winter months when temperatures average between 25-40°F.
What to do
**Kayaking and fishing: Water activities dominate at Turkey Swamp Park where visitors can enjoy various watercraft options. "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. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone," notes Tylen L.
**Winter activities: Seasonal options extend beyond summer months in certain parks. "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," explains Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park, highlighting year-round possibilities.
**Hiking networks: The Stokes State Forest trail system provides extensive hiking options. "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," according to one reviewer who recommends getting a trail map at the park office or downloading the Avenza Maps app.
What campers like
Privacy and space between sites: Glamping sites at Round Valley State Park Campground offer a secluded experience. "I did my first solo tent camping by the reservoir and it was perfect. There was so much to see and hiking trails in the campground and nearby. Bathrooms were clean and other campers were quiet making for a peaceful trip," shares Anna.
Waterfront views: Prime lakeside positions are highly valued. "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning," writes Jules T. about Spruce Run Recreation Area. Another camper notes, "If you get a site on the water, you can take a boat across to your site."
Cabin amenities: Camp Glen Gray provides reliable accommodations according to Christopher M.: "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions."
What you should know
Tick awareness: Prepare for potential tick exposure, especially in warmer months. "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2. That was so crazy because we were just sitting by our camper," reports LAURA Y. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Site access limitations: Some glamping locations require significant effort to reach. At Round Valley Recreation Area, "primitive camping can only be accessed by hiking 3 to 6 miles—or if you come with your own boat, you can access by water," explains Stuart K., who recommends bringing as little gear as possible.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. "The only con to this campground is its proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," mentions Jules T. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Family-focused events are scheduled regularly at Great Divide Campground. "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," explains Scott N.
All-weather facilities: Look for campgrounds with indoor options for rainy days. "Like many of the sites in this area, Great Divide had a large pool which was used by many of the campers. Even though we had a rainy day, we still enjoyed our time," reports Ethan K.
Bug management: "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! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!" shares JAEWOOK P. about Turkey Swamp Park, though experiences vary by season.
Tips from RVers
Hose length preparedness: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, water connections require planning. "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," explains antruze.
Site terrain evaluation: RV sites vary significantly in levelness and accessibility. "Very clean and quiet. Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N.Y. City," notes Nancymike K. about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Shade considerations: Tree cover affects comfort in glamping accommodations. "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," recommends Douglas P. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
