Cabins near Mount Olive, New Jersey range from rustic shelters to fully furnished accommodations depending on the specific campground. Located in Morris County at an average elevation of 830 feet, the area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically reaching the mid-80s and winter lows often below freezing. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions, with fall foliage creating colorful landscapes from late September through October.
What to do
Hiking Lakota Wolf Preserve: Access wolf observation tours directly from Camp Taylor Campground, where you can watch wolves in their natural habitat. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private. You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," reports a camper.
Kayaking on Panther Lake: Rent boats or bring your own to explore the lake at Panther Lake Camping Resort. "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," notes Richard V., highlighting the diverse water activities available.
Trail connections: Many cabins provide direct access to hiking networks. At Jenny Jump State Forest, trails start right from your site. "I really enjoyed this campground. Primitive, has bathrooms and water spigots. Good hammocking trees and wasn't crowded at all. Plenty of privacy from other sites. Close proximity to good hiking and kayaking at Delaware Water Gap but without the crowds of their sites," shares Lindsay D.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many cabin accommodations offer secluded settings. "Campsites are nice and large, can hold multiple tents. We have a beautiful site along the creek, perfect white noise to get a great night sleep. Very woodsy so you definitely are in the woods," describes a visitor at Camp Taylor Campground.
Unique sleeping structures: Several campgrounds offer alternatives to standard cabins. "This 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," shares W L. at Stokes State Forest.
Clean facilities: Most camping areas maintain good standards. "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, 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," notes another Stokes State Forest visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Not all cabin rentals operate year-round. "Camp Taylor Campground operates from April 15th to October 31st," according to their operating calendar, though some state forest cabins remain available in winter.
Variable noise levels: Some sites are quieter than others. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. And yet it's only about a 15 minute drive to a large mall with movies, shopping, and restaurants," explains Jeff W.
Wildlife encounters: Being prepared for local fauna is important. "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!" shares Kaitlyn S. about her experience camping near Mount Olive.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's programs. "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," notes Scott N. about Great Divide Campground.
Playground access: Several locations offer play facilities. "It's GREAT For kids. A nice playground with tons of kids running all over. The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in. The bathrooms/showers are clean and well maintained. The small mini-golf course is a fun distraction for a bit," shares Kathy G.
Diverse sleeping options: For families new to camping, cabins offer a gentle introduction. "We stayed in one of the glamping tents and was pleasantly surprised at the space inside the tent even with a double bed and two other fold out couches to beds. Water is available at the site. A small lake for swimming and boating. And lots of trails linking you to the Delaware river water gap area," reports Denise D.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Not all cabin areas have the same services. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "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.
Site size considerations: Cabin and RV areas differ in capacity. "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," suggests Ruette W.
Seasonal site options: Many campgrounds near Mount Olive offer different arrangements for long-term stays. "Majority of sites are seasonal campers with LOTS of cottages. Went early in the season so many had not been maintained in months. Only a handful of full hook up sites surrounded by seasonal cottages," notes April L. about one location.
