Camping cabins near Montville, New Jersey offer rustic accommodations within a 30-mile radius of the town. Situated in the highlands region of northern New Jersey, these cabin rentals typically sit at elevations between 800-1,200 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than the nearby metropolitan areas. The region experiences distinct seasonal variations with winter lows frequently dropping below freezing from December through February, making year-round cabins with heating systems particularly valuable.
What to do
Lakeside activities at Panther Lake Camping Resort: The resort features a spacious lake with boat rentals and fishing opportunities. "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," writes Cynthia H. at Panther Lake Camping Resort.
Hiking at Jenny Jump State Forest: Multiple trail networks connect directly to campgrounds, offering easy access for day hikes. "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.
Winter activities at Stokes State Forest: Unlike many seasonal facilities, Stokes offers year-round cabin camping with cold weather amenities. "We went to Stokes for a one nighter to test out my new truck tent. After packing up we drove down the road and were able to get in a nice 5 mile hike up to the fire tower," reports Josh S. from Stokes State Forest.
What campers like
Privacy levels at Great Divide Campground: While many campgrounds offer side-by-side sites, Great Divide provides more secluded options. "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," explains Ethan K. about Great Divide Campground.
Basic amenities at Mahlon Dickerson: The reservation offers essential services without excessive development. "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. The campsites are paved and mostly level. They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station," reports Jeff W.
Affordable shelter cabins at Jenny Jump: Basic cabin structures provide economical alternatives to tent camping. "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!!" shares Dwight D. about Jenny Jump State Forest.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: This region is active black bear habitat requiring proper food storage. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns a reviewer at Stokes State Forest.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From basic to well-maintained options depending on location and season. "The bathroom/shower was only a few steps away which was convenient and clean. The only problem we encountered was that there wasn't a store close by for ice or other essentials," notes Kelsey K. about Jenny Jump.
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds close between late October and early April. "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day. We were able to rent a cabin which was equipped with an outside grill and picnic area," mentions Ethan K. about Sebago Cabin Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Book activity-focused sites: Campgrounds with structured recreation options reduce planning burden. "Great family run campground. Owners are a blast. Most sites are level. Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities," reports Scott N. about Great Divide Campground.
Consider larger cabin options: Some facilities offer multi-room cabins for family privacy. "Sebago cabins the way to get away and relax enjoy the lake, you can go hiking they also have movie nights they do big bon fire on Saturday very kid friendly. Most cabins have 2 rooms with 4 cots but some are larger inside has a full fridge and double hot plate," explains Hashim C.
Plan for insect protection: The region's forested setting means significant bug populations during warmer months. "We stayed at one of the RV areas across the pond. It was peaceful to hear the frogs chirping at night, but definitely didn't think about how many more bugs the pond would bring," cautions Adeline M. about camping at Stokes State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Mahlon Dickerson: The topography creates variable camping experiences based on location. "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," explains a reviewer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Limited large rig accessibility: Many campgrounds in the region restrict RV length due to narrow roads and small sites. "This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. The sites could be very close depending upon where u go. We had r6 and we had neighbor on one side," notes Julie about Great Divide Campground.
Seasonal campers dominate some parks: Be prepared for different atmosphere at mixed-use facilities. "Majority of sites are season all campers with LOTS of cottages. Only a handful of full hook up sites surrounded by seasonal cottages. Other area of the place had water and electric but it would be hard to get in/out of if it had rained a lot," warns April L. about Panther Lake.
