Cabin camping near Sewaren, New Jersey provides access to the Atlantic coastal plain environment with sandy soil and mixed pine-oak forest ecosystems. Most cabins in the region close seasonally from November through March due to average winter temperatures dropping to 24°F. Water access is limited at many cabin sites during winter months when pipes are winterized.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park offers an archery range where visitors can practice their skills. According to a visitor, "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels."
Winter activities: Allaire State Park maintains cabin access during colder months for winter recreation. A camper notes, "Getting a cabin in the winter and going for a snowy hike is wonderful there."
Urban exploring: At Staten Island Gateway, cabin campers can explore historical structures. A reviewer mentioned, "There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building."
Fishing opportunities: Most cabin campgrounds feature small lakes or ponds with fishing access. One visitor to Turkey Swamp Park shared, "The site came with fire pit, large picnic bench, and lamp stand. Plenty of parking space. Good tree coverage."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Butterfly Camping Resort designs cabin and tent sites with natural barriers. A camper noted, "The sites are cozy and each lined with natural shrubbery and in some cases fencing. They're well maintained and raked between campers."
Lake views: Many cabins offer water views with direct lake access. A visitor to Spruce Run Recreation Area shared, "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."
Digital disconnection: Several cabin locations have limited connectivity, creating a true escape. One camper at Turkey Swamp Park mentioned, "Turkey Swamp is a great spot, a lot of different things to do. Fishing, Tent Camp, Van Camping, Open Field, BBQ, Kayaking, Canoeing. The list goes on. I've been here a few times, every time I'm here I barely touch my phone."
Accessibility: Many parks provide level cabin sites with nearby facilities. A reviewer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation stated, "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."
What you should know
Tick prevention: Wooded cabin sites may have tick issues, particularly in spring and summer. A reviewer at Turkey Swamp Park warned, "I was so excited when we got here. The sites are spacious and it's really beautiful. But by the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2."
Bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies widely between parks. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper noted, "I can not speak to the condition of the bathrooms, I stopped going into them 6 years ago as soon as I bought a cassette toilet to avoid them."
Sand and soil conditions: Many cabin sites feature sandy soil that can cause issues. A review for Timberland Lake Campground mentioned, "One thing didn't love: Sand... so hard even with rugs to pull out of trailer."
Highway noise: Proximity to major roads affects some cabin locations. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, a camper observed, "Late at night you can hear the drone of a major highway."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature play areas with differing surfaces. At Butterfly Camping Resort, a visitor noted, "Playground was big, but all sand which every kid had all in their shoes. Good rustic camping experience if that's what you're looking for!"
Pool alternatives: During peak summer months, cabin campers can find alternatives to crowded swimming areas. At Timberland Lake, a camper shared, "Pool was open for a couple days following the lifting of restrictions for COVID... Overall, a nice campground that is close to Six Flags."
Bug-free times: Some parks report low insect activity during certain periods. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park reported, "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!"
Activity scheduling: Many cabin campgrounds run structured activities for children. A reviewer at Butterfly Camping Resort shared, "Both nights we were there, there were events being put on (a tractor ride, kickball, and a pool movie night)."
Tips from RVers
Water hose length: Some parks require extended hoses to reach hookups. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, a camper advised, "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."
Site selection strategy: Choose cabin or RV sites based on specific needs. A visitor to Spruce Run shared, "There are some RV sites with water & electric which are not on the water, but in the parking lot. I would consider getting one on the water to enjoy the water and one in the parking lot to hook up the RV."
Road conditions: Many access roads to cabin areas remain unpaved. A reviewer at Turkey Swamp Park observed, "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."
