Several state parks and private campgrounds within an hour of Upper Montclair, New Jersey provide rustic cabin rentals with varying amenities. Stokes State Forest offers well-appointed cabins with bunk beds, twin beds, tables with benches, Adirondack chairs, and wood stoves for heat. These cabins include hot/cold water, electric stoves with ovens, refrigerators, toilets, bathroom sinks, and screened windows. Turkey Swamp Park features three forest-view cabins with clean facilities and access to a 17-acre lake. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides cabin accommodations with electric hookups and water in warmer months. According to one visitor at Stokes State Forest, "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend."
Cabin types range from basic shelters to fully furnished units with kitchens and bathrooms. Jenny Jump State Forest maintains eight shelter cabins with four walls, locking doors and windows, bunk beds, wood burning stoves, and porches. Some cabins are wheelchair accessible. Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park offers rustic cabins without plumbing or heat, described by one camper as "a step up from cabin camping." Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountain KOA has recently added tiny cabins with modernized WiFi and electric. Pet policies vary by location, with Mahlon Dickerson Reservation and Panther Lake Camping Resort allowing pets at cabin sites, while Camp Glen Gray prohibits them. Most locations require advance reservations, especially during summer months when availability becomes limited.
Most cabin rentals provide basic furniture but require guests to bring their own bedding, pillows, towels, and toiletries. Wood stoves are common heating sources in forest cabins, so visitors should plan to purchase firewood from park offices or local vendors. One Stokes Forest visitor noted, "You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning." Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations, from basic fire rings with grills to cabins with full electric stoves and refrigerators. Camp stores at larger facilities sell ice, firewood, and limited groceries, though most visitors bring food and cooking supplies from home. Flashlights or battery-powered lights are essential for cabins without electricity.
"There are level padded sites with electric and water (in warmer months). Sites were spaced out with beautiful woods in the background. Hiking trail goes right through the campground."
"Fire pit with grill and picnic table."
$529 - $1200 / night
"The article also mentions the benefits of camping on Governor Island, such as feeling close to nature, relaxing and enjoying a peaceful space, away from the noise of the city."
$5 - $200 / night
"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
"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"
$30 / night
"You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."
"this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"
$130 / night
"They have rustic cabins. Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. The cabins are "rustic" - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge."
"Fire rings and picnic tables provided at each site and cabin. Lots of family activities on the weekend. Enjoyed the pool and hot tub, Hiking trails and paved roads to ride bike."
"Fun camping place to books groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub."
"Not only is it in a beautiful setting, but the sites have a nice amount of space and everything is so clean. The pool was great and the laundry room was immaculate."
"The campgrounds were very big and spread out and the campsites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night. Each site had a water spout and electric plug in."
"They offer cabins and campsites. We spent 4 nights in the campsite area and this is a first class facility. Very clean. "
"Beautiful lakes all over the place. The AMC camp in Harriman is fantastic too! Those are reserved and paid cabins and platforms."
$7 - $55 / night
"The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend."
"No pets or alcohol allowed. The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform."
$30 - $60 / night
"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
RangerI've stayed in the cabins here a couple times. Love the area lots to do hiking fishing nature walks, something for everyone. 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
TravelerClean bathrooms, friendly staff. Spacious sites but lacks privacy. All sites have electric and water. Cabin rentals available. Hiking and biking galore. Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing. Archery range available. Playground for kids.
TravelerThey have rustic cabins. Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it.
RangerRented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. I favored Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room.
The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend. THe main room has a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace (some cabins still feature a fireplace only, but these two did not), hot/cold water, electric stove with oven, refrigerator, toilet, bathroom sink, mirror, plenty of hooks to hang jackets and coats, storage cabinets in the kitchen area, overhead lighting, wall outlets, and screened windows.
The doors feature deadbolt locks - so be sure to always take the key or set the lock to be unlocked all the time.
The mattresses are vinyl covered, so you can wipe them down with your own sanitizing wipes. There was hand sanitizer in each cabin as well.
Outside is a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. There are hooks near the door to hang a lantern.
The park office is not nearby, about 2(?) miles away. They sell wood, and there are a few road stands near the campground, but that wood is wet. You'll need to find some birch to get your fire going if, like me, you didn't buy wood on the way (plenty of signs for wood as you approach the park office) and the office was closed upon arrival. I bought wood from a house across the street from the entrance to the cabins and it was damp, but in November, I wasn't complaining, it took awhile but I got a nice blaze going. You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. 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. (There's plenty of fallen wood around but it was damp/raining both times I visited). The second time I took six bundles of wood and used them all from Friday to Sunday morning, and 7 would've have been better.
The trails nearby are varied, read the maps (especially NY NJ Trail Conference Maps) to get an idea of difficulty/elevation. We went in November when there was a light rain that turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! It was certainly an adventure. The area was incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast. It did rain, but was still a great trip. The photos of the tent sites were taken in December.
RangerThis is the first time we decided to forgo tent camping and reserve a shelter at a state park. We had a much better experience than we were expecting! 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. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!
There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.
We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.
Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.
LegendGeneral: Smallish (64-site) county park campground. There are also three cabins. 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. The campground is in five loops with the bathhouse located in the D Loop.
Site Quality: Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site. As mentioned, all roads and camper pads are dirt. There are some ADA sites but the only thing distinguishing them from others is their proximity to the bathroom.
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. Since it is located in the D Loop it would have been helpful to have pathways leading from the other loops. Did not use the shower so cannot comment.
Activities/Amenities: There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental. Several short (longest one is 2.5 miles) hiking trails that are fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times. Some sections of the trails were muddy due to swamps and bogs but passable. There is also a fitness trail. There is an archery range and a council ring (campfire). There is a dump station and laundry facility with brand-new washers and dryers (however, you need to pay using an app on your phone). The office is open until 9 pm and sells ice, firewood, and bait. There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office.
There are not a lot of camping opportunities in NJ, and this was a nice one. The campground was only about 20% occupied when we were there at the end of April, so our stay was a quiet one.
GuideIts our first stop of many and we wanted to shake out any glitches with our new camper at a public campground. The staff are very helpful and accommodateing. This campground although dated offers all the necessary comforts-Wifi, hot showers, electric etc. Currently, there are various updates occurring: additional sites, new tiny cabins, WIFI and electric are also being modernized. We opted to relocate to a site with less construction occurring and although you can still hear back hoes etc-our view has much improved. We wish there was easier access to bike and hike trails so we didn't have to drive to a location but overall a comfortable and positive experience.
GuideStayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.
RangerCampground Review
Stokes State Forest has four campgrounds. The Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans. No pets or alcohol allowed.
The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky.
We selected site T219. It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep.
Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes.
Outdoor activities in the area abound. Go fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more. 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. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app.
This visit we hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery).
You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument. High Point Monument is the highest elevation in New Jersey and is located in High Point State Park which borders Stokes State Forest on the north. High Point State Park also offers camping, hiking, sightseeing opportunities. And, on the western border of Stokes State Forest is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. So, there is lots of outdoors to get out and explore!
Product Review
We camped at the Steam Mill Camping Area in Stokes State Forest in our campervan over a chilly autumn weekend. We had the opportunity to cook some soup on our stovetop and chill out by the campfire. And, as Rangers for The Dyrt, we get products to test from time to time so we were psyched to try out some new dinnerware and cutlery. This included the FlexiBowl and GoBites from humangear.
What made these humangear products pretty awesome? Well, the fun colors to start. I mean, seriously, my orange bowl rules. The FlexiBowl also has some neat features: it’s flexible - just like the name suggests - and foldable. The bowl can be squished and stuffed anywhere. And, the top section can be folded down to create a smaller bowl. The FlexiBowl is versatile yet durable. It held my hearty, warm soup just perfectly.
I paired the FlexiBowl with one of the GoBites utensils (the Uno model). The Uno model is my favorite - it has a fork on one side and a spoon on the other side. Very simple and convenient. The other GoBites models include the Duo (separate fork and spoon that can snap together) and the Trio (a fork, spoon, and knife - with bottle opener - in a case).
PRO TIP: I keep the Trio GoBites model in my travel pack at all times. It recently came in handy on a (non-camping) trip to Sardinia. The knife on the Trio allowed me to slice some delicious local cheese to pair with bread, jam, and wine that was purchased from the grocery store. YUM.
Camping cabins near Upper Montclair, New Jersey are concentrated within Sussex County's forested highlands, where elevations reach up to 1,800 feet at High Point State Park. Winter cabin temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s. Most camping areas near Upper Montclair sit along protected watershed land, creating strict regulations around fires and waste disposal.
Hiking to overlooks: At Stokes State Forest, access 21 marked trails covering over 63 miles within the forest boundaries. "There are trail heads near the campsites and longer trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail within a short 10-15 minute drive," notes a visitor who stayed at Lake Ocquittunk Area.
Lakeside activities: Panther Lake Camping Resort maintains a small lake with boat rentals. "Nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," writes a camper who frequents the resort. The lake supports both fishing and non-motorized boating.
Winter outdoor activities: During colder months, some cabins remain open for winter use. A December visitor at Stokes State Forest reported, "The area was incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast. It did rain, but was still a great trip."
Privacy levels: At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, campsites offer seclusion despite the modest size. "The campground is small but also secluded. We always hike to the lake here, it's a very easy hike and also very peaceful," reports one regular visitor who camps there with family and pets.
Cabin amenities: Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park provides basic but functional cabins. "These cabins are 'rustic' - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge. Ignore the hotplate and just cook on a fire out other outdoor set up," advises one camper who visited recently.
Group camping options: Several campgrounds accommodate large family gatherings. "Fun camping place to books groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub," notes a visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Bear safety requirements: Many cabins don't include bear-proof storage. At Camp Glen Gray, visitors should prepare for wildlife encounters. "No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items," explains a camper, noting the camp's focus on minimal impact.
Winter heating needs: Cabins with wood stoves require significant firewood. Stokes State Forest cabins demand substantial wood supplies during cold weather. A winter visitor reported, "I took six bundles of wood and used them all from Friday to Sunday morning, and 7 would've have been better."
Reservation windows: Most cabin reservations open 6-12 months in advance. Peak season at popular locations like Great Divide and Panther Lake fills quickly, especially for holiday weekends and summer dates from June through August.
Cell service limitations: Many forest cabins have no reception. Panther Lake campers report: "Only issue is the internet is terrible u have to be near the wifi zones," with another adding it's "like a black hole of signals there."
Platform tents: Great Divide Campground offers an alternative to standard cabins. "Sites are spacious and campers were spread out throughout the large campground. Staff are very friendly and we had a great weekend!" writes a family who visited with children. The campground maintains a small lake with kayaks available.
Activity schedules: Many cabin locations run structured programs for children. "They had live music which was actually really good!!! A reggae band," reports one family at Great Divide. Another mentions that Sebago Cabin Camp has "outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends."
Terrain considerations: Campgrounds built on hills pose mobility challenges. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, one visitor advised, "Site 7 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."
Trading post access: Several forest cabin locations maintain small stores. Camp Glen Gray visitors note, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Upper Montclair, NJ?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Upper Montclair, NJ is Mahlon Dickerson Reservation with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 46 cabin camping locations near Upper Montclair, NJ, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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