Camping cabins near Johnsonburg, New Jersey provide year-round accommodation in the Skylands region, where elevations reach up to 1,500 feet in surrounding state forests. The area receives approximately 50 inches of annual precipitation, with winter temperatures often dropping below freezing from December through February. Forest cabin rentals typically feature varying levels of seclusion, from wooded settings with nearby hiking trails to lakeside options with fishing access.
What to do
Wolf preserve tours: 7-minute walk from Camp Taylor Campground to the Lakota Wolf Preserve with two daily tours on weekends. "There is a wolf sanctuary at the same location... 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)."
Fishing and paddling: Multiple lakes across several campgrounds offer catch-and-release fishing. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities."
Hiking to scenic overlooks: 10-15 minute drive from campsites to trailheads connecting to the Appalachian Trail. "You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Natural spacing between many cabins and tent sites. "Sites are hit or miss in terms of comfort, some have large, flat, clear spaces for multiple tents, some you have to wedge a tent to avoid rocks. Bathrooms were standard, compost toilets. The showers were free and generally quite hot."
Wheelchair accessible options: Several cabins at Jenny Jump State Forest are designed for accessibility. "This shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not."
Wood stoves for cold weather: Cabin heating available even in primitive sites. "The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning."
Creek-side options: Sound of running water adds ambiance to certain campsites. "We had a beautiful site along the creek, perfect white noise to get a great night sleep. Very woodsy so you definitely are in the woods."
What you should know
Bear awareness: Active black bear area requiring proper food storage in all campgrounds. "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!"
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by provider and location. At Timothy Lake South, "Cell service for most providers is practically non-existent. I understand this is not the park's fault and some would say that this is 'real' camping."
Firewood restrictions: Local purchase required to prevent invasive species. "You have to buy their wood you can't bring any in, they are trying to keep the lantern flies away. $5 bundle for 7 pieces."
Seasonal noise levels: Weekend traffic increases significantly during summer months. "We went on 4th of July weekend so the place was packed. We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great!"
Tips for camping with families
Weekday visits: Lower occupancy rates Monday through Thursday at most locations. "We felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves. The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean."
Cabin selection strategy: Research site maps before booking at Stokes State Forest for family-friendly options. "Sites 8-11 are adjacent to the road and in peak times probably have a fair about of foot and vehicle traffic."
Winter cabin preparation: Pack extra supplies for cold-weather stays. "Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution. The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning."
On-site activities: Kid-friendly options vary by campground. "The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in. The bathrooms/showers are clean and well maintained. The small mini-golf course is a fun distraction for a bit."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Plan for partial connections at most state forest campgrounds. At Delaware Water Gap / Pocono Mountain KOA, "Our particular camp site was huge! There was plenty of room for us to spread out."
Site selection: Request specific areas when making reservations. "We were very into socially distancing, and said so when we made our reservation. We were assigned a perfect site for this."
Water pressure considerations: Bring regulators for some campgrounds. "Best water pressure I have seen on the east coast, unregulated it's over 80 psi."
Level sites: Limited availability for larger rigs at state forest locations. "The campground has three levels. The tent sites all have water & electric, and have a picnic table and fire ring. The sites are fully shaded."
