Cabin camping near Netcong, New Jersey offers varied terrain and woodland experiences across the Skylands Region. Situated at elevations ranging from 700-1,200 feet, this area experiences cooler temperatures than nearby urban centers, with overnight lows often dropping 10-15°F below daytime highs, even in summer. Most cabin facilities require 2-night minimum stays during peak season with weekend reservations filling 3-4 months in advance.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Camp Taylor Campground connects directly to Appalachian Trail access points. "There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers," notes a reviewer who appreciated the convenient trailheads.
Wolf preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground offers a unique wildlife experience with scheduled wolf viewings. "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," mentions a camper who enjoyed this distinctive feature.
Astronomical observation: Jenny Jump State Forest provides access to stargazing facilities. "The campground is a nice little hideaway not too far from the beaten path," explains one visitor, though they note "you can hear some of the highway sounds from the campsites."
Lake activities: Panther Lake Camping Resort features water recreation options. "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," reports one satisfied visitor describing the range of outdoor options.
What campers like
Spacious woodland sites: Jenny Jump State Forest cabins provide secluded experiences. "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."
Year-round options: Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers extended season cabin availability. "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."
Well-appointed facilities: Great Divide Campground maintains modern cabin accommodations. "Like many of the sites in this area, Great Divide had a large pool which was used by many of the campers. The campgrounds were very big and spread out and the campsites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night."
Proximity to attractions: Swartswood State Park puts campers close to natural features. "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."
What you should know
Seasonal differences: Great Divide Campground operation varies by time of year. "This was our second visit to the campground and the first weekend they opened to RVs after Covid. No amenities were open but we had a great time fishing in the lake. Spots are spacious and campers were spread out throughout the large campground."
Terrain challenges: Stokes State Forest cabins require preparation for specific conditions. "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."
Heating considerations: Winter cabin stays require planning. "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."
Shower conditions: Bathroom facilities vary widely between locations. "Probably the worst shower ever. The lights are timed. The water is a button. The space is small as hell," warns one reviewer about Panther Lake's facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Group site booking: Swartswood State Park accommodates larger gatherings. "There are about 50 camp sites but many of them, from 1 to 30ish are wide open with ZERO privacy. That said, it's great for large groups that book a few sites next to each other."
Wildlife awareness: Bear encounters require proper preparation. "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!" reports one camper at Swartswood.
Organized activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged. "Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. Our campsite had a picnic bench and a fire ring. They offer both RV and primitive camping. The lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days."
Playground access: Some cabins offer proximity to play areas. "We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great! 2 teenage girls had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around. Pool was packed so didn't spend time there but the ceramic class was fun for the girls."
Tips from RVers
Site positioning: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers specific advice for larger vehicles. "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."
Utility connections: Hookup quality varies by location. "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...This review would be 5 stars if only they would knock the present facilities down and rebuild really nice ones, that were kept clean. Also if all the sites had Water & electric hook ups."
Parking limitations: Some areas restrict vehicle placement at sites. "The one downside about this site was that you are not allowed to keep your car at your site. You have to drop your supplies off and drive it back to the parking lot which was slightly annoying."
