Review #2500!
Don't…read moreget me wrong. I've stayed in my share of hotel suites and villas (thanks to my amazing work situation), but I'm also a fan of getting back to nature (veteran Burning Man survivor) and when I lived in the Sierra Nevada, off grid and dispersed camping was a joy.
Now that I'm older and back in Jersey, we mix the best of both worlds by staying in more rustic accommodations in NJ, DE and PA state parks with friends. We want to rough it, but we also need a toilet when you're a middle aged lady of a certain age and also a bed off the floor - no more sleeping on the dirt for me these days.
Parvin State Park was a pleasant surprise. It's on the edge of the Pine Barrens, and the small little lake in front of the cabins host a pair of white swans and lots of honking geese and ducks.
We stayed in Cabin 12, which was very basic and in winter, the only heat source was an old-fashioned cast iron wood stove. We came prepared with tons of firewood and we loved it! Nothing like a roaring fire, a good book and Van Morrison growling a love song in the background. You can even get cell service!
During winter, no running water and a porta potty was outside. The cabin had a working stove and a full sized fridge.
$115 for 2 nights in regular cabin ($60 per night) / $80 per night for #6 or 16
Check in at 3 PM, out by noon
Walmart is 10 minutes away in case you forget something important (ahem)
Cheap firewood (but burns fast) at Tractor Supply
Living room has 4 outlets
Each bunk room has an outlet, wall hooks and light (though not very bright)
Walls are not completely closed off in bunk rooms if privacy is a concern
Map showing which cabins have wood stoves or fireplace inserts.
https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/maps/parvin-cabinmap.pdf
Cabins #6 and #16 are ADA, two bedrooms with bunk beds and a single bed each ($80 per night)
Much more open living room
During high season, these can only rent for a week at a time, Monday to Monday
PRO TIPS:
· Bring slip on shoes to go in and out to outdoor porta potty if winter - it was exactly 25 steps from the door to the porta potty (I counted)
· Bring room heater if it's winter for added warmth
· Bring small tub and your own water for washing dishes / non-potable water if it's winter since the kitchen sink is shut off
· Bring fan if it's hot
· Bring extra lamps because rooms are dark
· If you are not bringing a camp chair, bring chair pads for hard wooden chairs provided.