Cabin camping near Marlboro, New Jersey provides access to the Pine Barrens region with its unique sandy soil and pitch pine forests. Most campgrounds in the area are within 20-30 minutes of Marlboro, situated at elevations between 50-150 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the upper 80s, making water activities popular during peak camping months.
What to do
Lake activities: water fun: At Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold Township, campers can enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking on the park's lake. "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," shares Tylen L.
Winter recreation: seasonal options: Some parks offer year-round opportunities including winter recreation. Patrick M. notes about Allaire State Park, "This may be my favorite spot. I have stayed in all the spots they offer, yurt, cabin and the pull up sites. It is well maintained with numerous trails to hike. Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there."
Archery: unique outdoor sport: Several campgrounds feature archery ranges for those interested in target practice. Dan W. mentions, "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from."
What campers like
Wooded sites: natural surroundings: Campers consistently praise the natural setting at campgrounds like Pine Cone Resort near Freehold. Katheryn N. describes Turkey Swamp Park: "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. There are tent and RV sites and you are allowed to have a tent on the site with an RV at no extra charge."
Clean facilities: well-maintained amenities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and showers. Lee D. notes about Turkey Swamp Park: "Bath/Shower House: Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided. The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used."
Spacious campsites: room to spread out: Many cabin rentals offer generous outdoor space. Jean T. shares, "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. sites are level and well maintained. They also allowed us to put the car tent on the same site as a friend's camper. each site has a fire pit, picnic table and garbage can."
What you should know
Cabin rustic factor: comfort levels vary: While many parks have cabins, their amenities differ significantly. Erik M. shares about Brendan Byrne State Forest: "Cabins are no frills yet very nice no electricity they are equipi with 4 bunks a LG picnic table and a wood stove for heat. Also a nice porch fire ring and a charcoal grill."
Insects: come prepared: The wooded terrain means insects, particularly ticks, can be problematic. LAURA Y. warns, "But 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."
Reservation timing: plan ahead: Campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months and for cabin accommodations. For popular weekends, reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance. Many cabin rentals have minimum stay requirements of 2-3 nights.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: structured fun: Butterfly Camping Resort provides numerous organized activities for children. Caitlin F. shares, "There was tons of stuff to do. There's a pond to fish, trails to walk/bike, basketball, sand volleyball, the list goes on and on. Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night)."
Themed weekends: special events: Some campgrounds offer themed weekends with additional activities. Jessica D. notes about Timberland Lake Campground: "We LOVE camping here in the fall!! They do their own haunted walk through that is just awesome! Everyone decorates. They have a dj every Saturday! Plenty of activities for the kids."
Playground options: active play: Most cabin campgrounds have playground facilities for children. Ann Marie M. mentions, "We went to timberland lake last fall. it happened to be the Halloween weekend which was full of excellent activities from pumpkin painting to piñatas and tricker treating. Lake was beautiful."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: consider location: When booking cabin or RV sites, consider proximity to amenities. Jim C. advises, "This campground is conveniently located near six flags (5min), Sesame Place (40 min) and Philadelphia (60 min). Campground has friendly staff and plenty of activities for children of all ages."
Bring extra supplies: be prepared: Even if staying in cabins, bring additional supplies for comfort. Jesse C. shares, "Site came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage. Only one bathroom, bit of a walk but clean and many ammenities available within."
Road conditions: interior camp roads: Several campgrounds have unpaved roads that can be difficult to navigate. Lee D. notes, "As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy."
