Camping cabins near Short Hills, New Jersey provide access to the forested highlands of northern New Jersey, with elevations reaching 1,803 feet at High Point in nearby Sussex County. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, while summer highs average in the mid-80s. Most forest campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited year-round cabin options requiring advance reservations.
What to do
Lake activities at Turkey Swamp Park: The 17-acre lake allows fishing, boating and paddle sports with equipment rentals available. "Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking. Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from," notes one Turkey Swamp Park visitor.
Hiking near cabin sites: Great Divide Campground features multiple wooded trails accessible directly from camping areas. "We hiked the golf cart trails which are beautiful and go throughout the woods," reports a camper. Most trail systems connect to larger networks, including portions of the Appalachian Trail at Stokes State Forest.
Winter activities: Several cabin facilities maintain limited winter operations. "Go ice skating on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," suggests a Turkey Swamp Park visitor. Winter cabin stays require additional preparation as water systems may be winterized and road access limited during snow events.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Jenny Jump State Forest cabins offer separation from neighboring sites. "The camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views," explains one visitor. Spacing between cabins varies significantly by location, with forest cabins typically offering more seclusion than lakefront options.
Water proximity: Cabins near water bodies rank consistently higher in reviews. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "Our site was on the water and it was really nice. A duck visited us every morning," writes one camper. Waterfront cabins typically book months in advance, especially for summer weekends.
Clean facilities: Many cabin campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were absolutely clean. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more," notes a Spruce Run Recreation Area visitor. Shower availability varies significantly between locations, with some cabins featuring private facilities while others rely on centralized shower houses.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Booking windows open 11 months in advance for most state park cabins. "We tried getting a cabin at Stokes in October and they were already booked for the weekend we wanted," reports a camper. Holiday weekends often fill immediately when reservations open.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels than expected. At Spruce Run, "You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," writes a visitor. Reviews frequently mention weekend parties at certain locations: "There were campers making lots of noise, arming/disarming their car alarms, slamming doors, cars driving in/out, bright lights flashing, etc. all PASSED 2am!!"
Wildlife awareness: Bears and ticks require specific precautions. "I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2," reports a Turkey Swamp visitor. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation provides bear-resistant food storage at some cabin sites, with one camper noting "There are a lot of bear warnings here so that gave us a bit of pause with our three little boys."
Tips for camping with families
Cabin accessibility: Several locations offer accessible cabin options. "This shelter is wheelchair accessible. Some of the others are not," notes a Jenny Jump State Forest visitor about their cabin stay. Call specific locations to verify current accessibility features as these may change seasonally.
Safety considerations: Cabin designs and layouts vary significantly between parks. A Camp Glen Gray visitor notes, "Cabins are always clean and stocked with firewood. Lots of hiking trails." Some cabins feature locking doors and windows while others have more basic shelter designs.
Kid-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and recreation areas supplement cabin stays at many locations. "There are age-appropriate playgrounds both in the campground and by the office," writes a Turkey Swamp visitor. Panther Lake Campground offers additional family activities: "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Most cabin areas have limited utility connections. A Mahlon Dickerson visitor explains, "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." Many cabins without full hookups allow generator use during specific hours.
Road conditions: Several campgrounds feature unpaved access roads. "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," cautions a visitor. Winter cabin access often requires four-wheel drive vehicles even when facilities remain open.
Site spacing concerns: RV sites near cabins vary in size and proximity. "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," advises a Spruce Run camper. Advance measurements and specific site research prevent arrival disappointments.
