Cabin camping near West Orange, New Jersey offers options within a 30-60 minute drive. Located in the northeastern highlands of New Jersey, the area features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 500-1,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with higher humidity, while fall temperatures drop to 55-70°F with less precipitation.
What to do
Archery practice: Turkey Swamp Park provides designated archery ranges with hay bale targets. "Bring your bow and shoot at the hay barrels," notes one camper who visits Turkey Swamp Park annually.
Water activities: Most cabin campgrounds offer pond or lake access. At Panther Lake Camping Resort, "the lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days. While I did not take advantage, you are allowed to rent boats and take them out on the lake."
Hiking trails: Trail networks connect many cabin areas to larger wilderness. "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," reports a visitor who stayed at the Steam Mill Camping Area.
Winter activities: Some cabin facilities remain open year-round. One visitor mentioned seasonal options at Turkey Swamp Park: "Ice skate on the lake in the winter or just enjoy a gorgeous walk in the woods."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many cabins offer secluded settings. A guest at Stokes State Forest described their experience: "We stayed at the campsite at Lake Ocquittunk Area. Campsite was very spacious and had a platform where we were able to fit two tents."
Proximity to water features: Cabins with lake views tend to book quickly. "The rushing water will soothe you to sleep," mentioned one visitor about streamside cabins at Stokes State Forest.
Cozy winter accommodations: Off-season cabin camping provides unique experiences. A camper who rented a cabin in Stokes State Forest during winter months reported: "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The wood stove definitely heats the room up nicely. I went through two bundles of wood in one night."
Accessibility to urban areas: Cabin sites offer wilderness experiences close to metropolitan areas. Great Divide Campground received praise for being "a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves" while still offering proximity to shopping within a short drive.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Fall and winter cabin rentals require additional preparation. "You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution," advised a November visitor to Stokes State Forest cabins.
Wildlife awareness: Bears and ticks are common in cabin areas. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park warned: "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2."
Cabin features vary significantly: Research specific amenities before booking. At Sebago Cabin Camp, one visitor clarified expectations: "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge."
Reservation timing: Winter cabin availability differs from summer options. "We stayed in one of the cabins (#009) in November and again in December (#008) of 2021," noted a Stokes State Forest visitor, finding good availability during the off-season.
Tips for camping with families
Activities for children: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. A visitor to Panther Lake commented: "Great family run campground. Nice small lake with boats to use. Nice small beach. Lots of weekend activities."
Kid-friendly cabin options: Some locations offer specialized family accommodations. A family staying at Great Divide Campground noted: "They had live music which was actually really good! A reggae band. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs."
Educational opportunities: Rangers often provide guided experiences. At The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, "There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building."
Weather preparation: Have indoor activities planned for rain. A visitor to Great Divide mentioned: "Even though we had a rainy day, we still enjoyed our time at Great Divide. The campgrounds were very big and spread out."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research specific cabin locations before booking. A Mahlon Dickerson visitor advised: "Our site (15) said 75' however the 50' hose reel made it to our RV connection."
Hookup considerations: Water access varies between cabin areas. A reviewer at Great Divide Campground noted: "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."
Terrain challenges: Some cabin areas have difficult approaches. "The site is on a hill so have a hand truck or a few people to carry stuff. Trust me it is worth it," recommended a solo camper at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation.
