Winter glamping close to Little Falls, New Jersey offers heated accommodation options with temperatures averaging 35°F in January. Most locations remain open through late fall and reopen in early April, though specific campgrounds like Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provide year-round glamping with heated cabins. The region sits within the New Jersey Highlands with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 feet, creating varied camping experiences across different sites.
What to do
Hiking across varied terrain: At Stokes State Forest, trails range from easy walks to challenging climbs. "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," notes one visitor who recommends the Tillman Ravine trail.
Winter stargazing opportunities: Clear winter nights offer excellent viewing conditions at higher elevation sites. One camper at Great Divide Campground shared, "We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs. Staff were very helpful and kind. We had r6 and we had neighbor on one side."
Lake activities from spring through fall: Multiple water recreation options exist within 30 miles. "Great for swimming and fishing. There are several trail hikes that you can do from the campsite. The longest is 3 miles but you can connect between each trail to make a longer hike," explains a camper at Swartswood State Park.
Wildlife observation: The area supports diverse wildlife including black bears. "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!" reported one visitor who camped at Swartswood State Park.
What campers like
Private wooded glamping sites: Campsites with natural separation are highly valued. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "The sites are very large and I suggest site 7. It is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it and I think it's the best tent site they have."
Easy lake access from campsites: Water proximity enhances glamping experiences. One reviewer noted about Round Valley State Park, "The water is crystal clear, the area is clean. There's bathrooms and pumps but we just filtered the water from the reservoir instead which tasted a million times better than the well water."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms matter significantly to glampers. A camper at Great Divide noted, "Bathrooms clean and shower was warm and clean as well. They even have a heater to keep you comfortable in and out of the shower."
Rustic luxury options: Traditional cabin amenities with modern comforts appeal to many. "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," shares a visitor to Camp Glen Gray.
What you should know
Seasonal accessibility varies widely: Many glamping sites close from November through March. At High Point State Park, visitors note the season runs "April 1 to October 31," while some areas within campgrounds are only for "groups or winter camping."
Unexpected wildlife encounters: Bear safety protocols are essential. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," advises one camper from Stokes State Forest.
Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging in more remote locations. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, "Only issue is the internet is terrible u have to be near the wifi zones," and another adds it's "like a black hole of signals there."
Platform tent setups: Many glamping sites feature raised platforms. "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," explains a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for maximum privacy: Choose sites away from common areas. "We stayed in the center lawn and it was lined with seasonal campers. We felt like we were staying in the middle of a neighborhood... If you can score a secluded spot in the woods that would be perfect but anywhere else can be a bummer," advises a Panther Lake visitor.
Kid-friendly activity planning: Structured activities engage younger campers. "Lots of weekend activities. Will be back in the future," notes a visitor to Great Divide Campground, while another mentions, "They also had scheduled activities for kids."
Weekend noise considerations: Weekends can be louder at popular sites. A visitor to Swartswood State Park explains, "We are always after campgrounds with as little going on as possible other than the nature so this would not be a place for us during the summer when I imagine it gets quite packed."
Weather preparedness: Temperature variations can be significant. "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! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many glamping sites aren't designed for large RVs. At High Point State Park, visitors note the "'trailer' sites aren't level. Showers are at the day use area, from 10-5:30, no trailer dump."
Hookup planning: Water access can require preparation. One RVer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation shared, "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."
Size limitations: Check maximum vehicle lengths before booking. "Easy to navigate our 38 ft. RV. Easy to dump and fill. Peaceful. Close to train to N. Y. City," notes a visitor to Mahlon Dickerson, highlighting both the accessibility and transit convenience.
Seasonal site considerations: Some campgrounds have separate sections for permanent and temporary RVs. "Majority of sites are season all campers with LOTS of cottages... Only a handful of full hook up sites surrounded by seasonal cottages," explains a visitor to Panther Lake.
