Cabin camping near Wallpack Center, New Jersey provides access to over 70,000 acres of protected land within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The region sits at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,800 feet, creating diverse microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. Winter cabin options require careful planning as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February, with occasional snowfall making some access roads challenging.
What to do
Appalachian Trail hiking: Swartswood State Park offers excellent access points for day hikes. "There are hiking trails and fresh water for kayaking. You can drive to High Point monument that is 1803 feet above sea level and you get a spectacular panorama view," notes Yolanda T., who stayed at High Point State Park Campground.
Wolf preserve tours: Available from the campground at select times. "The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located on the camp and offers discounted tours for campers. We heard them howl in the distance around the campfire," shares Julie F. from Camp Taylor Campground.
Winter activities: Some areas maintain winter cabin access. "This was my second visit in the cold months. Sites have electric but no water. Spigot close by. Heated cozy bathhouse with clean showers," explains Mara S. about winter camping at Pickerel Point.
Kayaking opportunities: Many campgrounds offer equipment. "The lake is crystal clear and the beach is spotless. You absolutely have to bring a kayak/inflatable boat, but if you don't own one, don't worry, you can rent one," advises Debbie W. who stayed at Promised Land State Park.
What campers like
Private wooded settings: Sites vary significantly in privacy levels. "Campsites are nice and large, can hold multiple tents. Very woodsy so you definitely are in the woods," writes Karralee B. about Camp Taylor Campground.
Waterfront locations: Several cabins offer water access. "We had site 100 and amazing views of the water from our camper. The trails were beautiful, recommend little falls trail," says Kelly F. about Pickerel Point Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse animal populations. "We saw wild turkeys and deer in the morning," explains Dina S. from Camp Taylor, while Kaitlyn S. shares an unexpected encounter: "Three black bears strolled by the campsite next to ours in the early morning—gave us more of an energy boost after a sleepless night than our coffee!"
Winter cabin comfort: Cold-weather options exist with proper preparation. "I went through two bundles of wood in one night, and could have used more in the morning. 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," notes a camper about winter cabin camping.
What you should know
Noise levels vary dramatically: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours strictly while others don't. "Despite our attempts to follow the rules and seek clarification, our family weekend was disrupted. The manner in which the incidents were handled, the lack of transparency and fair treatment impacted our experience," reports Mayra O. about High Point State Park.
Pet policies: Limited pet-friendly cabins are available. "There are only 4 dog friendly sites, which we need. They are 42-45. Be careful with site 44, no good place for a tent," warns Rob M. about Swartswood State Park.
Seasonal operation: Most cabin rentals have limited availability outside summer. "Open most of year. Fun if you like camping," notes Jennifer P. about Stokes State Forest, though some campgrounds close completely off-season.
Cell service gaps: Coverage varies significantly between providers. "Cell service is awful for AT&T and our T-Mobile gateway. Had to move to a new site to get away from the trees to get starlink connectivity," reports Nick E. from Timothy Lake South.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment. "This state park Is a very large complex that is extremely well maintained with nice facilities. The lake is beautiful! Great for swimming and fishing. There are several trail hikes that you can do from the campsite," writes Ethan K. about Swartswood State Park.
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking. "Due to cooler temps there were really no bugs to complain about while camping. If you are looking for more secluded campsites try to get 13 or 14 as they seem to stick back more. Sites 8-11 are adjacent to the road and in peak times probably have a fair amount of foot and vehicle traffic," advises Josh S. about Stokes State Forest.
Cabin vs. campsite trade-offs: Consider your needs carefully. "The glamping tents were pleasantly surprising with space inside even with a double bed and two other fold out couches to beds. Water is available at the site," shares Denise D. about Camp Taylor.
Bathroom proximity: Facilities vary widely between locations. "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," explains Damia F.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven ground. "So, we got in with no reservation, which was great. It's in the same park as the high point, also great. The sites are varied, some have tent platforms, it's just off the AT, but we have a trailer and the 'trailer' sites aren't level," notes Grant M. about High Point State Park.
Hook-up availability: Options vary significantly between parks. "Sites have water spout and electric plug in. The one downside about this site was that you are not allowed to keep your car at your site. You have to drop your supplies off and drive it back to the parking lot which was slightly annoying," explains Ethan K. about Great Divide Campground.
Winter cabin considerations: Plan for heating needs. "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," advises a winter camper.
Local supply options: Know where to get essentials. "Camp Taylor Campground also maintains on-site markets for basic provisions. Only bad thing is their general store is more of a gift shop and does not really cater to the needs of a camper. I prefer if I forget something like creamer for my coffee or cups that are not styrofoam I would prefer to walk into the camp store note have to go to Walmart," shares Karralee B.
