Several state parks and private campgrounds within driving distance of Saddle Brook, New Jersey provide rustic cabin rentals with varying amenities. Stokes State Forest offers well-appointed cabins with bunk beds, twin beds, tables with benches, Adirondack chairs, and wood stoves set into fireplaces. These cabins include hot/cold water, electric stoves with ovens, refrigerators, toilets, bathroom sinks, and electrical outlets. Turkey Swamp Park features three forest-view cabins in a county park setting with clean facilities. Sebago Cabin Camp in Harriman State Park provides more basic accommodations with cots, electricity, and refrigerators but no plumbing or heating systems. According to one visitor, "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."
Cabin sizes and amenities vary significantly across locations, with options for both couples and families. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation offers heated cabins with nearby bathroom facilities that remain open during colder months. Most forest cabins include outdoor fire rings, picnic tables, and grills for cooking and dining. Pet policies differ by location - Panther Lake Camping Resort and Mahlon Dickerson welcome pets, while Camp Glen Gray does not allow them. Reservations are essential, particularly during summer and fall foliage seasons when cabins book quickly. One camper noted, "They have rustic cabins. These do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
Most cabin rentals provide basic furniture but require visitors to bring their own bedding, pillows, towels, and toiletries. Cooking equipment varies widely - some cabins offer full kitchens with stoves and refrigerators while others provide only outdoor fire rings with cooking grates. Firewood is typically available for purchase at park offices or nearby vendors, though quality can vary. Visitors staying in cabins with wood stoves should plan to bring or purchase sufficient firewood, especially during colder months. Basic provisions can be found at camp stores in some locations, but selection is limited. Bringing coolers with food and drinks is recommended as grocery stores may be 20-30 minutes away by car from most cabin locations.
$529 - $1200 / night
"The article also mentions the benefits of camping on Governor Island, such as feeling close to nature, relaxing and enjoying a peaceful space, away from the noise of the city."
$5 - $200 / night
"One rustic place with many hiking trails to choose from. Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp. Trading Post for treats and other items."
"Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails. Trading post is well stocked and volunteers are always friendly and able to answer any questions"
"There are level padded sites with electric and water (in warmer months). Sites were spaced out with beautiful woods in the background. Hiking trail goes right through the campground."
"Fire pit with grill and picnic table."
$130 / night
"They have rustic cabins. Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"Near lake Welch- which is phenomenal for easy nearly- beach like camping. The cabins are "rustic" - but there's what you need: cots, electricity, a fridge."
$30 - $60 / night
"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
"They offer cabins and campsites. We spent 4 nights in the campsite area and this is a first class facility. Very clean. "
"Beautiful lakes all over the place. The AMC camp in Harriman is fantastic too! Those are reserved and paid cabins and platforms."
$30 / night
"You have a clear view of the Narrow bridge and at night the city lights light up your surroundings light a nigh light. The camp here has 7 campsites here and it fill up really fast."
"this place is awesome when it comes to finding an affordable place to stay while in NY, this camp ground isnt your usual forest camp sites, however there are some beautiful views, and it is located in"
"Fire rings and picnic tables provided at each site and cabin. Lots of family activities on the weekend. Enjoyed the pool and hot tub, Hiking trails and paved roads to ride bike."
"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."
$7 - $55 / night
"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."
"No pets or alcohol allowed. The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform."
"Not only is it in a beautiful setting, but the sites have a nice amount of space and everything is so clean. The pool was great and the laundry room was immaculate."
"The campgrounds were very big and spread out and the campsites have their own space so you can enjoy quiet at night. Each site had a water spout and electric plug in."
TravelerClean bathrooms, friendly staff. Spacious sites but lacks privacy. All sites have electric and water. Cabin rentals available. Hiking and biking galore. Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing. Archery range available. Playground for kids.
TravelerThey have rustic cabins. Theae do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it.
RangerRented a cabin in November (#009) and again in December (#008) of 2021. I favored Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room.
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 (some cabins still feature a fireplace only, but these two did not), 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.
The doors feature deadbolt locks - so be sure to always take the key or set the lock to be unlocked all the time.
The mattresses are vinyl covered, so you can wipe them down with your own sanitizing wipes. There was hand sanitizer in each cabin as well.
Outside is a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. There are hooks near the door to hang a lantern.
The park office is not nearby, about 2(?) miles away. They sell wood, and there are a few road stands near the campground, but that wood is wet. You'll need to find some birch to get your fire going if, like me, you didn't buy wood on the way (plenty of signs for wood as you approach the park office) and the office was closed upon arrival. I bought wood from a house across the street from the entrance to the cabins and it was damp, but in November, I wasn't complaining, it took awhile but I got a nice blaze going. 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. (There's plenty of fallen wood around but it was damp/raining both times I visited). The second time I took six bundles of wood and used them all from Friday to Sunday morning, and 7 would've have been better.
The trails nearby are varied, read the maps (especially NY NJ Trail Conference Maps) to get an idea of difficulty/elevation. We went in November when there was a light rain that turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! It was certainly an adventure. The area was incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast. It did rain, but was still a great trip. The photos of the tent sites were taken in December.
RangerThis 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. Even compared to our glamping this was luxury!!
There are eight shelters at Jenny Jump State Park. 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? The dead end means there isn't too much traffic, though the road is right there so you can wave to the other campers heading to the restroom or for hikes. There is a trail head at one of the parking lots. During the day the parking lots filled up and there was some overflow parking for day-hikers across the road. We got to see their dogs, so that was a bonus for us! Otherwise, this shelter is not situated too close to the other shelters and feels very private.
We brought battery-powered lights since there is no electricity. There were coat hooks and a built-in shelf for our snacks, games, and other supplies. There was a picnic table and benches inside. We brought camping chairs for relaxing on the porch. We spent most of our time on the porch; cooking, chatting, and crafting while enjoying the sunshine and breeze.
Oh, this shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not.
LegendGeneral: Smallish (64-site) county park campground. There are also three cabins. As soon as you turn off the main road to the park, all roads are dirt, which was a bit surprising. They were well-maintained and in dry weather, not a problem, but probably not if it was rainy. The campground is in five loops with the bathhouse located in the D Loop.
Site Quality: Sites in Loops B-E all have pull-thru driveways. Sites are all level, very generous in size, and reasonably spaced apart for privacy. A lantern hook, picnic table, and fire ring complete each site. As mentioned, all roads and camper pads are dirt. There are some ADA sites but the only thing distinguishing them from others is their proximity to the bathroom.
Bath/Shower House: Very clean. Soap and paper towels are provided. The only thing missing were hooks or shelves for toiletries but there was a large bench that could be used. Since it is located in the D Loop it would have been helpful to have pathways leading from the other loops. Did not use the shower so cannot comment.
Activities/Amenities: There is a lake with a boat dock and a small boardwalk. Kayaking/Canoeing, fishing, and swimming. In the summer, canoe, kayak, paddle boats, and row boats are available for rental. Several short (longest one is 2.5 miles) hiking trails that are fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times. Some sections of the trails were muddy due to swamps and bogs but passable. There is also a fitness trail. There is an archery range and a council ring (campfire). There is a dump station and laundry facility with brand-new washers and dryers (however, you need to pay using an app on your phone). The office is open until 9 pm and sells ice, firewood, and bait. There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office.
There are not a lot of camping opportunities in NJ, and this was a nice one. The campground was only about 20% occupied when we were there at the end of April, so our stay was a quiet one.
GuideStayed 2 nights and it was really nice. Camping for summer is pretty limited to Sawmill Lake, as the other locations are for groups or winter camping. Camps are secluded from each other and most if not all have an elevated space to put tents or chairs. Each place comes with a lamp hang, a fire pit, and a picnic table. Bathrooms are spaced out. No running water except for pump founded outside of the bathrooms. Toilets are pump flushed. Showers are only located INSIDE High Point State Park, not throughout the campsites, but entry is free for campers. One hiking trail is accessible in Sawmill campground, 3 others are accessible on the road outside of the campground and the rest are located inside the park. When you arrive you have to check in with the park office for your campsite tag. Hours are 8-4. Park officials come through the campsites pretty regularly, a few times a day which is nice. Areas are clean and well maintained.
RangerCampground Review
Stokes State Forest has four campgrounds. The Steam Mill Camping Area is tucked out the of the way and is the most primitive. It is the smallest of the campgrounds with 27 sites only suitable for tents or small trailers/campervans. No pets or alcohol allowed.
The campground has a pit toilet and a well. Each large campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern hook. Some sites also have a tent platform. Many sites are a bit rocky.
We selected site T219. It was a solid choice: private but close to the toilet and water. Some sites located around the opposite side of the ring back up to a babbling brook. The rushing water will soothe you to sleep.
Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes.
Outdoor activities in the area abound. Go fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more. There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a hiking map at the park office or download the Avenza Maps app.
This visit we hiked the Tillman Ravine trail (tip: make the trail a loop and visit both the ravine and the nearby old cemetery).
You can also drive or hike to Sunset Mountain Scenic Overlook for a view of High Point Monument. High Point Monument is the highest elevation in New Jersey and is located in High Point State Park which borders Stokes State Forest on the north. High Point State Park also offers camping, hiking, sightseeing opportunities. And, on the western border of Stokes State Forest is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. So, there is lots of outdoors to get out and explore!
Product Review
We camped at the Steam Mill Camping Area in Stokes State Forest in our campervan over a chilly autumn weekend. We had the opportunity to cook some soup on our stovetop and chill out by the campfire. And, as Rangers for The Dyrt, we get products to test from time to time so we were psyched to try out some new dinnerware and cutlery. This included the FlexiBowl and GoBites from humangear.
What made these humangear products pretty awesome? Well, the fun colors to start. I mean, seriously, my orange bowl rules. The FlexiBowl also has some neat features: it’s flexible - just like the name suggests - and foldable. The bowl can be squished and stuffed anywhere. And, the top section can be folded down to create a smaller bowl. The FlexiBowl is versatile yet durable. It held my hearty, warm soup just perfectly.
I paired the FlexiBowl with one of the GoBites utensils (the Uno model). The Uno model is my favorite - it has a fork on one side and a spoon on the other side. Very simple and convenient. The other GoBites models include the Duo (separate fork and spoon that can snap together) and the Trio (a fork, spoon, and knife - with bottle opener - in a case).
PRO TIP: I keep the Trio GoBites model in my travel pack at all times. It recently came in handy on a (non-camping) trip to Sardinia. The knife on the Trio allowed me to slice some delicious local cheese to pair with bread, jam, and wine that was purchased from the grocery store. YUM.
LegendWe stayed in New Jersey for our 5th campground on the East Coast: Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. This is a County park.
Near some Revolutionary War battlefields.
I really liked this park! They have 2283 acres. A 17 acre lake. Some hiking trails & a nice campground! The sites are all pullthrough. There's lots of vegetation for "privacy". We had a site on the perimeter, which are forest views. Only problem is none of the roads are paved. All are packed sand. We could tell it rained recently because of the muddy tracks. Fortunately it didn't rain while we were there!
Shower/bathrooms are clean, but dated. They're checked regularly. The bath house is for the entire campground. 3 out of the 4 women's were working. There's a shared dressing area.
There's a laundry that doesn't take quarters. EPay.
There's a nice playground in the campground.
They have 3 cabins for rent, with forest views.
The lake has fishing & boat rentals. No gas motors. There's no swimming at the lake. Cell service was fair.. No WiFi.
They have an archery range.
This was my favorite campground on our trip! I really enjoyed camping here! There's a rustic retro quality to the place. I adored the campsites & I didn't see any really bad ones.
LegendIt is important to note that there is only RV and cabin rentals offered at Pleasant Acre. The grounds are up on top of a mountain and is quite beautiful and quiet. This is a great place to get away and bring your family and dogs. They offer several planned activities for kids and they have nice facilities like a great swimming pool and ping pong. Important to not miss: the amazingly beautiful miniature horse that wonders around its huge pin located in the middle of the campground.
Cabin rentals near Saddle Brook, New Jersey range from basic forest platforms to fully-equipped structures with kitchens and bathrooms. Located within the northeastern Highlands region, these forest cabin retreats sit at elevations between 400-1200 feet, creating moderate temperature differences from the urban areas. Winter temperatures typically drop 5-10 degrees lower than nearby cities, with cabins available year-round despite seasonal closures at some facilities.
Lakeside activities: Several cabin locations offer water access for recreation. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, visitors can rent boats for lake exploration. One camper noted, "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."
Hiking network: The cabin areas connect to extensive trail systems with varied difficulty levels. At Stokes State Forest, cabins provide direct access to marked trails. "There are 21 marked trails that cover over 63 miles within the boundaries of Stokes State Forest. Twelve miles are part of the Appalachian Trail," mentions one visitor who recommends picking up a hiking map at the park office.
Winter activities: Some cabin areas maintain winter access for cold-weather recreation. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center cabins remain accessible when other camping options close. A visitor explains, "Been here a dozen times! Great hiking for all abilities. Free camping at stone shelters. Beautiful lakes all over the place."
Fire features: Most cabin areas provide both indoor and outdoor fire options. At Great Divide Campground, cabins include outdoor fire rings with grills. "Each site had a water spout and electric plug in. The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court," reports one camper.
Clean facilities: Cabin areas maintain regular cleaning schedules for both cabins and communal spaces. As one camper at Great Divide Campground observed, "Bathrooms clean and shower was warm and clean as well. They even have a heater to keep you comfortable in and out of the shower."
Quiet environment: Many cabin areas enforce noise restrictions after certain hours. A camper at Croton Point Park mentions, "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper."
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking, with different reservation windows by location. For example, at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, cabins book quickly in peak seasons. A visitor explains, "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."
Heating considerations: Not all cabins provide heating systems. At Stokes State Forest, wood stoves require planning. A camper details, "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."
Bear safety protocols: Multiple cabin areas require proper food storage due to bear activity. A Stokes visitor notes, "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided."
Rule variations: Policies differ significantly between cabin locations. At Croton Point Park, rules can seem strict. One visitor observes, "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."
Educational activities: Several cabin areas offer ranger-led programs for children. At the Sebago Cabin Camp, educational programming includes "outdoor movies and communal bonfires on weekends. I was told by ranger Joe they also do Karaoke nights too."
Playground access: Some cabin areas feature playgrounds for children. A Croton Point visitor mentioned, "It's a good park/camp for groups. They have cabins and RV sites and now that the Tapan Zee bridge work is done most of them are now open again as the bridge workers have moved out. There is a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids."
Wildlife viewing: Many cabins offer opportunities to observe local wildlife safely. A visitor to Mahlon Dickerson Reservation explains, "Located in the Skylands of New Jersey, Mahlon Dickerson Campgound is a perfect place to spend a few nights or a couple of weeks. It's beautiful and quiet, and close to beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities."
Frequently Asked Questions
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