Cabin camping near Mountainside, New Jersey offers a range of year-round shelter options across Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties. Located within the Watchung Mountains, the area sits at elevations between 400-500 feet with a moderate climate featuring average summer highs around 85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Winter cabin rentals require advance planning as availability decreases significantly from December through March.
What to do
Hiking to Ghost Lake: At Jenny Jump State Forest, trails lead directly from the cabins to scenic overlooks and unique features. "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 one visitor at Jenny Jump State Forest.
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park offers an archery range near their cabin area, providing a unique outdoor activity option. A camper mentions, "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."
Winter ice skating: Some parks maintain seasonal activities even during colder months. As one regular at Turkey Swamp Park explains, "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. 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."
Wildlife observation: Cabin areas often attract local wildlife, creating opportunities for nature watching. A visitor to Mountainview Campground reported, "Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise!"
What campers like
Private wooded settings: Cabins are typically spaced to provide a sense of seclusion. A camper at Stokes State Forest found that "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."
Wood stove heating: Winter cabin campers appreciate the warmth provided by wood stoves. One guest explained, "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."
Family-friendly environments: Many parks design their cabin areas with families in mind. A visitor to Great Divide Campground shared, "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."
Accessibility options: Some cabins provide features for campers with mobility needs. At Jenny Jump State Forest, a visitor noted, "Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not."
What you should know
Tick prevention: During warmer months, ticks are common in New Jersey forests. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park warned, "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."
Bear safety requirements: Stokes State Forest and other northern New Jersey parks require proper food storage. One camper noted, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided."
Firewood needs: Heating cabins in winter requires substantial wood. As one camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation explained, "I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning."
Water hose length: Some parks require longer-than-standard water hoses. A visitor mentioned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for cabins near play areas for easier supervision. A visitor to Panther Lake Camping Resort noted, "Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. The welcome center has a store where you can buy essentials you may have forgotten and then some."
Kid-friendly activities: Many parks offer scheduled programs for children. One camper shared, "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."
Cabin selection for quiet: For families with young children, request cabins away from common areas. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park advised, "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite!"
Off-season benefits: Consider spring or fall visits when parks are less crowded. "We went on a Friday night. It was pretty much what you would expect in a state park camp ground in NJ. Clean, well kept," reported a Spruce Run Recreation Area visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Some parks have difficult terrain for larger vehicles. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper advised, "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."
Hookup limitations: Many parks offer partial hookups only. An RVer explained, "The sites on the water are just so nice. We luckily have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator. We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity can affect some camping areas. A visitor noted, "Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway" at one campground, while another mentioned, "The noise from the highway was quite loud at night" at Jenny Jump.
