Best Dispersed Camping near Ringwood, NJ

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ringwood, NJ

6 Reviews of 5 Ringwood Campgrounds

• R

  Renee Z.

  Scout

  Jul. 12, 2017

  Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

  Small but kind of your only option

  I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre. Also it's a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping, but I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that!

  That being said, as you enter the Worthington State Forest there are signs and hand painted maps indicating that this is the only place you can sleep in the forest. So if this is your timing, this is where you'll be sleeping! The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find.

  Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond. There are lots of signs around Sunfish pond itself that there's no camping allowed.

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• 

  Corey

  Scout

  Jun. 17, 2024

  Hickok Brook

  Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites

  I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.

• 

  Cory D.

  Ranger

  May. 28, 2019

  Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

  A place to sleep near the gunks

  This isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks.

• 

  Dawn M.

  Traveler

  Apr. 25, 2025

  Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

  Pretty cool

  If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path. The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. There’s no spectacular mountain views from above, but rather a quiet peaceful wooded area & although I only seen/stayed at one camping spot which is literally at about the required 150ft from the road, you can set up your own camp anywhere. I was the only one here & it was a very peaceful & relaxing night

• 

  Katharine T.

  Guide

  May. 31, 2022

  Appalachian Trail- Designated Backpacker Campsite 2

  Perfect balance of community and space

  We stayed here during our section hike through the DWG on the AT. There’s plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We’ll maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking. We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!

• G

  Gregg T.

  Guide

  Aug. 26, 2024

  Hickok Brook

  Small, don't blink you'll miss it.

  There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.