Cabin camping near Glen Gardner, New Jersey provides access to the scenic Musconetcong River Valley, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,000 feet above sea level. This region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most state park cabins in the area close for the winter season between October 31 and April 1, making spring through fall the prime rental period.
What to do
Kayak on nearby lakes: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers rental options during summer months. "We 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... I will be back as often as I can and hopefully be able to rent a kayak," shares a camper at Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Visit the wolf sanctuary: The Lakota Wolf Preserve offers educational tours directly from Camp Taylor. "There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers," notes a visitor at Camp Taylor Campground.
Explore Ringing Rocks: Just across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, you can experience the unique geological formation. "We 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," a camper mentions. "Bring a hammer" to tap the rocks and hear them ring, advises another visitor.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin options in the region offer secluded settings. "Very clean campground, clean bathrooms and showers. However, if you're tent camping the bathrooms are FAR and I highly doubt no one has ever peed outside at night instead of navigating through the night to them," mentions a camper at Ringing Rocks Family Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Mountainview Campground maintains a peaceful environment. "This campground is perfect for a getaway if what you're looking for is no more than spending some time in nature. The property is well kept and campsites are a good distance from each other. Plenty of open field as well as wooded areas," reports a visitor at Mountainview Campground.
Woodsy settings: Natural surroundings characterize most cabin options. "Campsites are nice and large, can hold multiple tents. They request the purchase of another site if you have more then two tents, but then you can put all tents on one site and cook and hang out in the other. We have a beautiful site along the creek, perfect white noise to get a great night sleep. Very woodsy so you definitely are in the woods," notes a Camp Taylor visitor.
What you should know
Cabin reservations required early: Most sites book quickly, especially for summer and fall weekends. "We stayed in the 'Shelter' which 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," explains a visitor to Jenny Jump State Forest.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road sounds. "The campgrounds were just okay. 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. It was very loud and rowdy into the late night," notes a Spruce Run visitor.
Limited shower facilities: Bathhouses may be distant from some cabins. "The showers were free and generally quite hot," mentions a Jenny Jump camper, while another adds, "This campground is a nice little hideaway not too far from the beaten path. You can hear some of the highway sounds from the campsites (especially the jake brake)."
Tips for camping with families
Bring extra lighting: No electricity means planning for darkness. "We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch," shares a Jenny Jump visitor.
Pack plenty of drinking water: While water spigots exist, they may be inconvenient to access. "We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water," notes a Spruce Run visitor, adding "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."
Consider weekday stays for quieter experience: Many campgrounds get busy on weekends. "This campground is very quiet and peaceful. The owners were very friendly. The spot was spacious and comfortable. The bathrooms were clean. Close by to a couple of nice state parks. Sweet little spot, we'll definitely be back!" shares a visitor at Great Divide Campground.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many cabin areas have tight access roads. "The drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle," notes a Mountainview Campground visitor.
Prepare for varied hookup options: Most cabin camping areas have limited RV amenities. "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV. It's kind of worth it," suggests a Spruce Run camper.
Bring leveling equipment: Sites may not be completely flat. "The landing for the camper was even with gravel and the rest of the site was mostly even. The power station was well intact with 15/20, 30, and 50amp. Overall it was a nice stay and served our purpose," reports a Mountainview visitor.
