Cabin camping near Wharton, New Jersey provides access to the forested highlands of northern New Jersey, an area situated within the Highlands physiographic region at elevations between 700-1,400 feet. Winter temperatures typically drop to the low 20s, while summer averages reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity. The region's mixed hardwood forests create distinct seasonal camping experiences with peak foliage colors occurring mid-to-late October.
What to do
Hiking to overlooks: At Jenny Jump State Forest, trails lead to several scenic viewpoints with minimal crowds. "I really enjoyed staying at Jenny Jump. 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," reports one camper.
Wolf preserve tours: Camp Taylor Campground offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities unavailable elsewhere in the region. "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," notes one visitor.
Kayaking on forest lakes: Multiple forest lakes around the cabin camping areas provide paddling options within 15 minutes of most sites. A Swartswood State Park visitor explains, "We took one afternoon to visit the High Point Monument, which was lovely. The lake was beautiful in the morning with mist or steam."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Great Divide Campground offers secluded cabin sites that maintain separation between camping groups. "This is a beautiful campground with much to do around the grounds themselves. They had live music which was actually really good! A reggae band. We found plenty of trails to hike with our two dogs. The sites could be very close depending upon where you go."
Seasonal cabin availability: Some local cabin facilities remain open beyond the typical camping season. One visitor to Great Divide noted, "All the positive reviews about this place are accurate! Beautiful, clean, well maintained, lots to do, great value for your $."
Wildlife encounters: The forests surrounding cabin sites provide opportunities for animal sightings. A Kittatinny Campground visitor shared that "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!"
What you should know
Bear precautions: The entire region requires proper food storage and disposal. "Remember, this is bear country so proper food storage is a must. Bear lockers are not provided. The area also has ticks and rattlesnakes," warns one camper at Stokes State Forest.
Cabin furnishing variations: Cabin amenities differ significantly between locations, with some providing more basic accommodations. "The cabins are reasonably priced and well-appointed, if a bit rustic. The interior features are just what you'd expect for getting away for the weekend. The main room has a bunk bed and two twins, a table with benches, two Adirondack chairs, a wood stove set into a fireplace."
Seasonal closures: Several cabin facilities operate on limited schedules. "We went in November when there was a light rain that turned into a thunderstorm with hail and sleet! The area was incredibly peaceful in December with many cabin reservations abandoned due to rain in the forecast."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Panther Lake Camping Resort provides developed recreation areas designed for children. "Big campground, lots of sites, nice pool, big community hot tub, boating is great, good fishing, nice playground, basketball court and great amenities," one visitor reports.
Evening activities: Many campgrounds program special events during peak season weekends. "Panther lake was a pretty good campground with lots of spots to camp at. The grounds were fairly large and each campsite gets their own space with decent privacy. The lake and pool were a big plus, especially for hot days."
Noise considerations: Family-focused campgrounds have varying noise patterns throughout the season. A visitor noted, "Fun camping place to book groups. Very kid and pet friendly, lake to fish and kayak on, lots of activities, great pool and awesome hot tub. Only down side is that even though they say they have wifi, you can't hook up to it unless you are at the pavilion."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Spruce Run Recreation Area offers scenic waterfront sites but with limited services. "I love the water views. The sites are large, many have nice mix of sun and shade. You can launch your kayak easily from the shore. This review would be 5 stars if only they would knock the present facilities down and rebuild really nice ones, that were kept clean. Also if all the sites had Water & electric hook ups."
Site selection strategy: RVers should carefully consider site dimensions and tree clearance. "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."
Winter preparation: Cabins with wood stoves require planning for adequate heating supplies. "I bought wood from a house across the street from the entrance to the cabins and it was damp, but in November, I wasn't complaining, it took awhile but I got a nice blaze going. You need that wood stove to heat up the cabin. Turning on the oven is a help, but not a good solution."
