Cabin rentals near Somerville, New Jersey provide year-round access to wooded retreats within Hunterdon and Morris counties. The region features elevations between 400-1,000 feet with moderate terrain suitable for novice hikers and families. Winter cabin rentals typically require reservations 3-6 months in advance, with most facilities maintaining temperatures above 40°F during cold months.
What to do
Kayaking on site lakes: Turkey Swamp Park offers an on-site lake with multiple watercraft options. "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 Dan W., who visited Turkey Swamp Park.
Winter ice skating: Seasonal activities extend beyond summer at some parks. "We go every year. It has everything the outdoorsman could ask for. Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels. Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods," writes Patrick M. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Observation deck access: Cabins near Glen Gardner provide access to astronomy facilities. "Well maintained hiking trails, camp sites, with play grounds and an observatory," mentions Jocelyn G. about Voorhees State Park Campground, where overnight guests can access night sky programs.
Rock music opportunities: Some nearby Pennsylvania parks offer unique geological features. "If you're looking for a scenic drive that makes you forget that you're in NJ, head on over to the Alpha Grasslands Preserve in Alpha, NJ. The Delaware River is nearby with some great fishing spots. Just past the Delaware River through Milford NJ, into PA, is a park called Ringing Rocks County Park," explains Christina H.
What campers like
Cabin privacy: Many campers value the separation between structures. "This is a smallish (64-site) county park campground. There are also three cabins. 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," describes Lee D. about Turkey Swamp Park.
Winter heating options: Cabins with wood stoves provide comfortable winter camping. "My husband and I have stayed here several times, but the last time was the best! We stayed 2 nights in Cabin Z for our anniversary getaway and we loved having the whole place to ourselves. The pit latrines were clean, the water spigots worked fine, and there was plenty of wildlife to see roam through the surrounding areas," shares Meredith C. about Voorhees State Park.
Wooded settings: Mountainview Campground offers heavily forested cabin sites. "The whole scene was exactly what I love about camping, a nice little remote campground in the mountains. My husband said he would come back here just for the scenic drive to this campsite even, and I'd have to agree," writes Christina H.
Seasonal wildlife: Nocturnal animal activity enhances the cabin experience. "I've never heard so much wildlife there as I did here. Only shortly after we settled into our tent did we hear foxes fighting right outside our tent, the snorts of deer, and there were bats right above us all night making noise," reports a visitor to Mountainview Campground.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility quality differs significantly between parks. "The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting. I thought with COVID they were cleaning them more, but for the entire weekend, someone's #2 remained all over the toilet, floor, and corner wall," warns Jules T. about Spruce Run Recreation Area.
Highway noise: Some cabins experience road noise despite rural settings. "The only con to this campground is it's proximity to the highway. You can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," adds Jules T. about Spruce Run.
Tick prevention needed: Parasites can be common in wooded areas. "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. I have been RVing for 2-3 years and this is the first time this many ticks ambushed us," cautions Laura Y.
Water access considerations: "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. This review would be 5 stars if only they would knock the present facilities down and rebuild really nice ones, that were kept clean," notes Ruette W. about facilities at Spruce Run.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible playgrounds: Multiple parks feature child-friendly amenities. "There are several playgrounds, boat launches, and life guarded swimming area," explains Jocelyn G. about Spruce Run facilities.
Activity scheduling: Panther Lake Camping Resort offers structured programs for different ages. "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," says Cynthia H.
Insect preparations: Families should pack appropriate repellents for summer visits. "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! The campground was super clean too. It was perfect!" shares Jaewook P. about Turkey Swamp Park, showing that conditions can vary by season.
Pet considerations: Jenny Jump State Forest allows pets for additional fees. "My husband and I Tent camped in #34 with our dog. The space was reasonably priced, but we did have to pay an extra $5/day for our dog. However, we didn't mind as it was so private we felt like we had the entire Park to ourselves," reports Kelsey K.
Tips from RVers
Extended stay power options: Solar panels help during longer visits without electrical hookups. "We luckily have some solar so we can go for awhile without running the generator. We fill our fresh water tank for and bring drinking water," advises Ruette W. about Spruce Run.
Tree clearance awareness: Great Divide Campground offers varying site conditions. "This was our second visit to the campground and the first weekend they opened to RVs after Covid. No amenities were open but we had a great time fishing in the lake. Spots are spacious and campers were spread out throughout the large campground," notes Jojo P.
Water hose requirements: "Very clean and quiet. 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," explains antruze at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
