Cabins near Mendham, New Jersey provide access to the rolling hills and dense forests of northern New Jersey's Highlands region at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet. The area features oak-hickory forests with numerous streams and small lakes that create varied camping environments. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, making heated cabin options particularly valuable from November through March.
What to do
Hiking to scenic overlooks: At Jenny Jump State Forest, trails lead to impressive viewpoints. "My husband and I Tent camped in #34 with our dog. The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves," notes camper Kelsey K.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camp Taylor Campground offers unique wildlife experiences with its wolf sanctuary. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private. Once you have backed into the spot and leveled out it's a good time. You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary," explains Julie F. Another visitor adds, "There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance."
Stargazing sessions: Clear nights at Mountainview Campground are perfect for astronomy enthusiasts. "Stayed at one of the primitive sites. Very clean and quite. Bath stalls and showers are basic but clean. Great spot for stargazing. Owners are very nice," reports Scott A. The location's higher elevation and minimal light pollution make it ideal for night sky viewing.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers secluded sites with natural barriers. "Very clean and quiet. 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," writes camper antruze. The campground features large, wooded sites that provide separation from neighbors.
Lake activities: Spruce Run Recreation Area provides waterfront recreation options. "I have camped here on many occasions for Over ten years, beginning when I only had a tent. Then with a camper van, and now an RV. I love the water views, The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade. You can launch your kayak easily from the shore," shares Ruette W.
Trail connectivity: Many cabin rental locations connect directly to longer trail systems. "This place was great, they allow dogs and had hiking trails with beautiful views you could enjoy right from your campground. It's also close to other local hikes like Mt. Tammany," notes Fransheska A. about Jenny Jump State Forest. Multiple campgrounds in the region offer direct access to trail networks without requiring additional driving.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter cabin stays require preparation for heating needs. "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," explains a winter visitor to Stokes State Forest. The review continues, "I took six bundles of wood and used them all from Friday to Sunday morning, and 7 would've have been better."
Bear awareness: Many campgrounds near Mendham require proper food storage due to black bear activity. "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys," mentions Greg S. at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. Some campers report bear sightings: "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!" notes Kaitlyn S.
Booking timing: Cabin rentals fill quickly during peak seasons, especially for weekend dates. A visitor to Camp Taylor Campground advises, "Reservations are essential, particularly during summer months when availability becomes limited." Some visitors report needing to book three to four months ahead for summer weekends at the most popular locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Great Divide Campground offers recreational facilities designed for children. "The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids," reports Ethan K. Multiple families note the well-maintained play areas as key factors in their booking decisions.
Kid-friendly water features: Several rental cabins provide safe water access for younger campers. "Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," shares Scott N. about Great Divide Campground. The shallow swimming areas with gradual entries make them suitable for various ages and swimming abilities.
Noise considerations: Some locations enforce quiet hours more strictly than others. "This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. They had live music which was actually really good!!! A reggae band. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs," shares Julie about Great Divide Campground, who also notes, "unlike many other campgrounds we've been to, they are very good about actually enforcing the quiet hours at night."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Water and electric access differs significantly between sites. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, one RVer notes, "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."
Site leveling challenges: Terrain at some locations requires additional preparation. "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," advises Douglas P. At many woodland cabin sites, RVers recommend bringing extra leveling blocks due to uneven terrain.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer dump stations even when full hookups aren't available. "Trash dumpster is an easy walk and the dump station has a flush hose point. Nice and easy little campground," reports antruze about Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. RV sites at this location feature electric and water but not sewer connections at individual sites.
