Cabin camping near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey offers rustic overnight shelter within Northern New Jersey's hardwood forests. Situated at elevations ranging from 200-1,200 feet throughout the region, cabin options provide more weather protection than tents during the area's frequent summer thunderstorms. Cabins in this region typically remain open later in the season than tent sites, with several operating through late November when nighttime temperatures can drop into the 30s.
What to do
Lake swimming and boating: At Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park, visitors access a large swimming beach during summer months. According to one camper, "Sebago has a huge lake and great beach area. It was perfect for lounging and swimming in during a hot summer day." For those preferring freshwater swimming away from crowds, cabins at Harriman offer alternatives. "Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping," notes one visitor.
Attend ranger-led activities: Weekend cabin stays include access to organized evening events. One visitor to Sebago Cabin Camp reported, "Sebago has a ton of activities like outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too." These activities typically run May through September with most occurring on Saturday evenings.
Trail access for day hikes: The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center provides direct trail connections from cabin areas. A reviewer noted, "This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake." Cabin guests can access the Appalachian Trail within a 2-mile hike from most cabin areas in the region.
What campers like
Rustic but comfortable accommodations: Cabin facilities at Wawayanda State Park Campground provide basic shelter with some modern conveniences. According to one visitor, campers appreciate that "sites were open in June" with "access to kayaking/beach/trails" and "largely friendly staff and campers." These cabins typically feature permanent cots or bunks with mattresses.
Escape from technology: The lack of cell service creates a true disconnection from daily routines. A Sebago Cabin Camp visitor noted, "Absolutely zero phone service (for T-Mobile) which was AMAZING." Most cabins in the region lack Wi-Fi and have limited or no cellular reception, particularly in valley locations.
Proximity to New York City: Croton Point Park cabins provide overnight options remarkably close to urban areas. One camper observed it's "a 30-40 minute drive from Western Queens" while another noted the campground is "only an hour and a half outside of the city." This accessibility allows for quick weekend getaways without extensive travel time.
What you should know
Cabin amenities vary significantly: Facility standards differ between parks. At Sebago, "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge." Meanwhile, Moon Valley Campground offers "awesome dome structures" for those wanting "to camp in luxury."
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking with non-refundable deposits. Weekend reservations often fill 2-3 months in advance during summer. At Croton Point Park, "you need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site."
Rule enforcement varies: State-operated facilities typically maintain stricter regulations. At Croton Point, "the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near restrooms: When selecting cabin locations with children, prioritize proximity to facilities. At Jenny Jump State Forest, "Shelter 2 is a minute walk from the restroom with sink/shower and water. Shelters 7 & 8 are even closer while 4 & 5 are the furthest, may an extra 5 minutes walk?"
Look for activity options: Families benefit from cabins with integrated recreation. One parent noted at Jenny Jump that "the campgrounds and bathrooms were clean and well kept. Great place to get away for the weekend with the family!!!" Another visitor mentioned "they have both cabins for rent and camping spots on platforms which are great, especially when it rains."
Consider accessible options: Some cabins accommodate mobility needs. At Jenny Jump State Forest, one visitor noted, "Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not." Always call ahead to confirm specific accessibility features as they may change seasonally.
Tips from RVers
Use cabins as alternatives to RV spots: For RV owners unable to bring their vehicles, cabins provide similar comfort. At Campgaw Mountain Reservation, only 5 miles from Pompton Lakes, cabins offer an alternative when the "sites themselves are fairly close to the road and there are super popular hiking trails that run right through all the camps."
Consider seasonal timing: Cabins typically remain available after RV hookup sites close for winter. While tent camping at Wawayanda ends October 31, cabins at several regional parks remain open through mid-November, offering extended season options.
