Cabin camping near Martinsville, New Jersey offers outdoor enthusiasts access to the Highland region's rolling hills and deciduous forests, with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet. Most rustic accommodations sit within a 30-minute drive from Martinsville, providing campers with proximity to both forest settings and water recreation at nearby reservoirs. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Kayaking on Spruce Run Reservoir: Rent boats directly from Spruce Run Recreation Area during summer months. "You can bring a camper, tent, or use one of the cabins. Many sites have a lovely water view of the reservoir. Several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area," notes Jocelyn G.
Visit Ringing Rocks: Located just across the Delaware River, these unique geological formations create metallic sounds when struck. A camper at Ringing Rocks Family Campground shares, "Went to Ringing Rocks county park and the kids were having so much fun making music they didn't want to leave."
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park offers an on-site archery range for beginners and experienced archers. "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," reports Dan W.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: The cabin area at Turkey Swamp Park provides separation between sites. "Sites are in the woods and widely spaced apart to give you privacy and the feeling of being out in the Forrest. Sites are level and well maintained," explains Katheryn N.
Mountain views: Jenny Jump State Forest offers cabins with scenic overlooks. "This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views. Well kept and clean," writes Jocelyn G. This higher-elevation option provides different terrain than lower-lying camping areas.
Seasonal activities: Winter visitors can find unique recreational options. As one Turkey Swamp visitor mentions, "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."
What you should know
Variable bathroom facilities: Quality differs significantly between parks. At Mountainview Campground, "Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean," according to Scott A., while Panther Lake campers report, "Probably the worst shower ever. The lights are timed. The water is a button. The space is small as hell."
Reservation requirements: Some parks enforce strict arrival times. "I reserved two nights, but the first night we were not going to be able to arrive until after 9. After talking to them, they would not allow us to come late, but did refund the first night," notes Kyhlea D. about Mountainview Campground.
Highway noise: Several parks suffer from road noise despite natural settings. Jenny Jump State Forest cabins experience this issue as "My only complaint is that the noise from the highway was quite loud at night," reports one camper.
Wildlife encounters: Tick prevention is essential in some areas. "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," warns a visitor to Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips for camping with families
Check cabin layouts: The shelters at Jenny Jump State Forest offer specific configurations that may work well for families. "The 'shelter' 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," describes Dwight D.
Consider seasonal timing: Fall visits provide colorful displays but require planning. One Mountainview Campground visitor explains, "We actually only stayed here overnight to just get out and see the autumn colors before winter hit, so I wasn't really expecting much, but man was I impressed. The drive up to this place was so breathtaking the entire way."
Look for on-site kid activities: Some parks offer more structured programs. "We had the best time camping here! The staff is so friendly and helpful. The campsites are spacious and the facilities are clean. Short drive to the Delaware River for tubing," shares Emily about Mountainview Campground.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup challenges: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, water access requires 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 an RVer.
Site selection strategy: When booking at Panther Lake, consider location carefully. "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... Most seasonal spots looked like it would be terrible to stay next to because they had fences and sheds set up so it would literally feel like you were camping next to someone's house."
Off-season benefits: Visiting during shoulder seasons offers advantages. "The campground was only about 20% occupied when we were there at the end of April, so our stay was a quiet one," notes an RVer at Turkey Swamp Park, highlighting the trade-off between amenities and crowds.
