Camping cabins near Palmyra, New Jersey offer year-round access to the eastern edge of the Pine Barrens, where sandy soil and dense pine forests create a unique environment just minutes from Philadelphia. Winter cabin stays remain popular at year-round facilities like Wharton State Forest, where temperatures can drop below freezing but heated options provide comfortable accommodations. Most rustic cabins in the region sit below 100 feet elevation, typical of this coastal plain area.
What to do
Kayaking at Wharton State Forest: Launch directly from waterfront sites at Atsion Family Camp — Wharton State Forest, where multiple water access points make for easy paddling. "Our site was right on Wading River and we launched our kayaks right at the site! Our tent has a full view of the sky and at night it was like a planetarium as we admired the sky from our cots," shares one camper who visited Bodine campground.
Fishing in stocked waters: Cast for multiple species at the lakes throughout the region. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes a visitor to Wharton, making it ideal for multi-season fishing.
Visiting historic sites: Explore nearby Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site from French Creek State Park Campground. "There are a ton of picnic tables too so you can take a lunch and just sit by the lake to relax and have a bite to eat," suggests a reviewer who enjoyed the historical surroundings.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Brendan Byrne State Forest offers well-spaced sites with natural screening. "Spacious campsite, although the closest water spigot wasn't working. Not a big problem as there are plenty of others," reports one visitor who appreciated the layout despite minor inconveniences.
Urban-adjacent seclusion: Cabins provide forest isolation with city convenience. "First off, I will start by saying you have to drive a good amount of distance to get into the campground and that is something I really enjoyed! Made me feel super secluded and disconnected from the outside!" shares a Brendan Byrne visitor who valued the psychological distance from urban life.
Extensive trail networks: Multiple interconnected paths offer varied difficulty levels. "There are probably hundreds of miles of trails through the woods and bogs to explore. Can't tell you how much I love it. Could spend a whole vacation just with these trails and never leave this state park," writes an enthusiastic hiker who frequents Brendan Byrne State Forest.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limits: Many facilities close during winter months or operate with reduced services. At Old Cedar Campground, "This is a small and basic campground, not a resort. No fancy amenities," reports a reviewer who visited during the operating season from April 21 to October 9.
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility maintenance differs significantly between parks. "The bathrooms were horrible. My daughter and I were practically scalded when we tried to shower. Actually had to go down to the office and complain about it," reports one camper at Four Seasons Family Campground, highlighting the importance of checking recent reviews.
Tick presence: The region has significant tick activity, especially in warmer months. "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," warns a visitor to Turkey Swamp Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for multiple kid-focused amenities: Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA offers comprehensive children's activities. "This campground was so well maintained. There was so much to do there a pool, lake, horseshoes, cornhole, playground, big pillow and even more. They offer so many activities during the day and text you so you don't forget," reports a parent who enjoyed the organized approach.
Check for waterfront safety features: Many cabin locations provide supervised swimming areas. "Lake with swing and fishing and two pools. No pets no alcohol no store but they have a snack stand. Make sure to get an end campsite or your table will be by the sanitary dump," advises a family that stayed at Lake Kandle with children.
Consider cabin location relative to bathrooms: Walking distance matters with young children. "There is a very nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," notes a French Creek State Park visitor, highlighting the importance of facility proximity.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup sharing: Check site details carefully before booking. "The water hookups are shared every other site (at least in the Fence Loop). I was lucky my 75' hose barely reached the distance needed. Be sure to bring extra hoses," warns an RVer who stayed at Turkey Swamp Park.
Site leveling requirements: Many cabins and RV sites in the region require adjustment. "Some sites unlevel. Bring a LONG water hose. Nice lake. Showers and washers and dryers," advises a Turkey Swamp Park visitor who found the wooded privacy worth the extra setup effort.
Proximity to Philadelphia attractions: Several campgrounds offer cabin stays with easy city access. "This is a very nice KOA, just over the Delaware River from Philly. The park is clean, quiet, full of families. The staff are friendly and welcoming. It's easy to navigate to the park from the interstate, and big rigs fit easily," notes a visitor to Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
