Cabin camping near Stanhope, New Jersey offers visitors access to the highlands region of northern New Jersey, where elevations reach over 1,800 feet at nearby High Point State Park. The area experiences cooler temperatures than much of New Jersey, with evening lows often dropping into the 50s even during summer months. Most rental cabins in the region require advance reservations, with weekend bookings often filling 2-3 months ahead during peak summer season.
What to do
Hiking to ghost lakes: Several trails at Jenny Jump State Forest lead to secluded water features including Ghost Lake. "Nice big group site and fun walk to Ghost Lake," notes a visitor to Jenny Jump State Forest. The forest also offers lookout points with expansive views. "It is set up nicely for primitive camping and you are able to hike out straight from the campsite (which is always a plus!). There's a great look out point as well," shares another camper.
Wolf preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground offers direct access to the Lakota Wolf Preserve with discounted tours for overnight guests. "There is a section of RV spots that are each cut out in the woods so very private. You can take a short hike up the mountain there to see the wolves in the sanctuary. There are moments by the fire you can hear them howl in the distance," explains a visitor to Camp Taylor Campground.
Boating and fishing: Many parks maintain lakes with rental equipment. At Great Divide Campground, visitors enjoy "Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach," and Panther Lake Camping Resort provides lake access with "Great atmosphere for families. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing," according to visitors.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded cabin and tent sites. "The camp sites are nicely laid out to ensure privacy. This park is high up on a mountain and affords lovely views," notes a visitor to High Point State Park. Another camper recommends specific cabins: "Cabin 8, the kitchen and bathroom were separated from the main room."
Proximity to Appalachian Trail: Several campgrounds provide direct access to major hiking trails. "Camp Taylor Campground is located on the Delaware Water Gap Mtn. There are miles of hiking trails and direct access to the Appalachian Tr," explains a visitor. Another camper at Stokes State Forest mentions, "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."
Clean facilities: Many visitors note the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, "The campground is clean, paved nicely and well run. Our site is easily the nicest- all the way in the back with only one neighbor. It is so quiet here," shares a recent visitor.
What you should know
Winter availability: While most state forest cabins close for winter, some private campgrounds maintain year-round operations. "We stayed in site 15 and we had neighbor on one side. If the other spot was occupied then it might be a little too close for us," notes a camper at Great Divide Campground. Cabin interiors at state forests provide basic cold-weather accommodations: "You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution."
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly with some offering more privacy than others. "We were able to get a secluded spot in the woods which was great! The field areas with not much shade cover," explains a visitor to Panther Lake. Another notes, "Most seasonal spots looked like it would be terrible to stay next to because they had fences and sheds set up."
Bear safety requirements: Northern New Jersey is bear country and proper food storage is mandatory. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided," warns a camper. Another visitor to Swartswood State Park mentions, "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning."
Tips for camping with families
Activities for kids: Many campgrounds program special events for children. "Lots of weekend activities. Will be back in the future," notes a Great Divide visitor. Another camper at Panther Lake Camping Resort shares, "Great atmosphere for families. Liitte crowded for couples who want peace and quiet the staff was great to deal with."
Playground options: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas. "The common area, along with the pool, had a small soccer field and volleyball court. They also had scheduled activities for kids," explains a visitor. Another notes, "A nice playground with tons of kids running all over. The swimming pond is pleasant and great to cool off in."
Rental equipment availability: Many locations offer boats and recreation equipment. "The kids had a blast in the lake and riding their bikes around. Pool was packed so didn't spend time there but the ceramic class was fun for the girls," shares a family visiting Panther Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many forested campgrounds have uneven terrain. "You can bring a camper, tent, or use one of the cabins. Many sites have a lovely water view of the reservoir," explains a visitor to Spruce Run Recreation Area. Another notes, "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."
Hose access: Some sites require long water hoses to reach hookups. "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," shares an RVer at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
Limited full hookup options: Many state parks only offer partial hookups. "They are wooded and large. Water and electric hookups and a dump station. Convenient for hiking and exploring, it's also only a 20 minute drive to a large mall in Rockaway," explains a camper.
