New Jersey’s state parks and forests offer a great escape for families looking to reconnect with nature while enjoying the convenience of comfortable accommodations. From the rugged trails and serene lakes to the rich historical landscapes and vibrant wildlife, your family will love the outdoors in New Jersey. We found six New Jersey state parks and forests that feature cabins suitable for big families. These destinations not only provide ample space but also come equipped with modern amenities, making them perfect for your family. Whether you’re planning an adventurous hiking trip, a relaxing lakeside retreat, or a mix of both, these six destinations are a great choice for your next getaway. Reserve your cabin by visiting the New Jersey State Park site.
Bass River State Forest
Bass State Forest, New Jersey’s first state forest, is located in the scenic Pine Barrens. Situated in Bass River Township, this historical forest offers outdoor activities and cabins to sleep big families of 5 or 6. The park features over 12 miles of marked hiking trails, including the famous 53-mile BATONA Trail. Families can enjoy picnicking with over 100 tables equipped with charcoal grills, a playground, and an athletic field for games. Although swimming is currently unavailable due to construction on a new beach recreation complex at Lake Absegami, visitors can rent kayaks, enjoy the beautiful picnic areas, or explore nearby swimming spots at Atsion Recreation Area or Island Beach State Park. The park also provides an ideal spot for fishing, hunting, and bird watching, ensuring every family member finds something they love.
For families opting for a more rustic yet comfortable stay, Bass River State Forest offers cabins that can accommodate up to six people. Six cabins, located along the serene north shore of Lake Absegami, are perfect for families with 3 or 4 kids. Each cabin includes a cozy living room with a fireplace, two bunk rooms with double-deck bunks, and a fully-equipped kitchen with running water, an electric stove, and a refrigerator. Additionally, the cabins have a bathroom complete with a shower, toilet, and sink, ensuring modern conveniences amidst the natural setting. The screened-in porch offers stunning lake views, and outside, families will find a fire ring, grill, picnic table, and bench, ideal for evening gatherings and meals. Open from April 1 through October 31, these cabins merge the wilderness experience with the comforts of home.
Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Nestled in the heart of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest offers a serene escape for families seeking outdoor adventures and rich history. Located just off Highway Route 72 East in Woodland Township, the forest spans over 38,000 acres, providing ample space for activities such as camping, hiking, mountain biking, birding, fishing, and hunting. Families can explore the trails, which range from accessible pathways to challenging loops. Nearby, the historic Whitesbog Village offers a glimpse into early 20th-century agricultural life where the first cultivated blueberry was developed. The forest also houses the Dr. James Still Office Historic Site, celebrating New Jersey’s renowned “Black Doctor of the Pines.”
For big families, or those looking for a more comfortable camping experience, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest offers three cozy cabins that can accommodate up to six people. These cabins are situated along the scenic Pakim Pond and come equipped with a furnished living room complete with a fireplace. Each cabin features a kitchen with running water, an electric stove, a refrigerator, and a half-bath with a toilet and basin. Electricity is available, but during the colder months from November to January, indoor plumbing and heating are limited to the fireplace only.
High Point State Park
High Point State Park, located at the peak of the Kittatinny Ridge in Wantage, New Jersey, offers a perfect family getaway with its stunning views and amenities. Rising 1,803 feet above sea level, this park provides unrivaled panoramic vistas of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York from the High Point Monument. Families can enjoy hiking on over 50 miles of trails, swimming in the spring-fed waters of Lake Marcia, and picnicking in the designated areas with tables and grills. The park also features camping grounds, interpretive nature programs, and winter sports opportunities like cross-country skiing. Nearby attractions include the scenic Appalachian Trail, several serene lakes for boating and fishing, and educational visits to the park’s Interpretive Center.
The park offers two spacious cabins on the eastern shore of Steenykill Lake, that sleep families of 5 or 6. Each cabin is equipped with electricity and a furnished living room complete with a cozy woodstove, ideal for relaxing evenings. The cabins feature three bedrooms—one with a double bed and two with twin beds. Amenities include a fully functional kitchen with hot and cold running water, an electric stove, a refrigerator, and a bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink. Open from May 15 to October 15, these cabins offer a comfortable home away from home.
The group cabin at High Point State Park accommodates up to 28 people and features a living room with a wood stove, a fully equipped kitchen, two bunkrooms with double bunks, and bathrooms with showers. Open from May 15 to October 15, the cabin offers a comfortable and spacious retreat for large families or reunions.
Parvin State Park
Parvin State Park, located just outside the Pine Barrens and less than five miles from Vineland, New Jersey, is a great park for an outdoor vacation. Located about 40 miles south of Philadelphia, this park offers many outdoor activities. Families can enjoy 15 miles of trails perfect for walking, jogging, or biking, as well as two lakes for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Parvin Lake also features a summer swimming beach with lifeguards, changing rooms, restrooms, and a concession stand. The park’s history, lush pine forests, and vibrant spring florals create a scenic backdrop for picnics, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Nearby attractions like Fort Mott State Park and Stow Creek State Park provide additional exploration possibilities, making Parvin State Park a perfect base for a memorable family adventure.
Parvin State Park offers spacious cabins that can accommodate six. The park has 18 cabins, located on the north shore of Thundergust Lake. Two of these cabins are accessible for persons with disabilities and can accommodate up to six people. Each cabin includes two bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen with running water and an electric stove, a refrigerator, and a bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower. Families can enjoy both indoor and outdoor dining with electricity and brick patios equipped with tables and grills.
Stokes State Forest
Located in the scenic northwestern corner of New Jersey, Stokes State Forest offers cabins to sleep big and large families of up to 12. Located in Sussex County, the forest boasts over 63 miles of trails that cater to all levels of hiking enthusiasts, including a picturesque stretch of the Appalachian Trail. The park’s amenities offer outdoor activities such as fishing in pristine trout streams, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling during the winter months. Nearby attractions include the breathtaking vistas from Sunrise Mountain and the serene beauty of Tillman Ravine. Families can also enjoy picnicking at Stony Lake and Kittle Field, complete with picnic tables and grills perfect for a family cookout.
For families needing spacious and comfortable accommodations, Stokes State Forest features cabins that can sleep six or more.. Each cabin is well-equipped with running water and electricity, ensuring a comfortable stay. The cabins come with a wood stove for heating, a kitchen fitted with cold and hot running water, a refrigerator, an electric stove, and a half-bath with a toilet and sink. For larger families, cabins 7 and 12 can accommodate up to eight people and include a full bathroom with a shower for added convenience. Group Cabin 13 accommodates up to 12 people with two sleeping areas and two full bathrooms. Outside each cabin, you’ll find a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill—everything you need for cozy family meals in the great outdoors.
Wharton State Forest
Wharton State Forest is located in the heart of New Jersey’s Pinelands and offers a unique escape for families seeking adventure and relaxation. The park features plenty of wildlife and historical sites like the 19th-century Batsto Village. Wharton activities include numerous hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding trails, and rivers and lakes for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The Atsion Recreation Area, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, provides a safe swimming area, playgrounds, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and essential facilities like restrooms and changing rooms, making it an ideal spot for family outings. Be sure to visit the Carranza Memorial and take advantage of the educational programs at Batsto Village, designed to enrich your family’s understanding of local history and nature.
The park offers several fully furnished cabins that can accommodate families of six to eight. Three cabins sleep 6 and one cabin sleeps 8. Nestled by Atsion Lake, these cabins are equipped with screened porches, fireplaces, outdoor campfire rings, and essential amenities such as hot and cold running water, electricity, and bathrooms with showers. Each cabin includes single beds and a refrigerator, ensuring a cozy and convenient stay amidst nature. Available from May through October, these cabins provide an excellent base for families to explore Wharton State Forest.
