197 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Ellenville, New York range from established RV resorts to primitive tent sites across the Catskill Mountain region. The area features several family-friendly campgrounds including Thousand Trails Rondout Valley in Accord and Boulder Point Campground, both within 15 miles of Ellenville. The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides tent-only camping with proximity to hiking trails and climbing areas in the Shawangunk Mountains. Several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional campsites, particularly at Jellystone Park in Gardiner and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres in Greenfield Park.
Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through October or early November. Most developed sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season. "The grounds are well-kept and the bathrooms are clean. The campground itself is pretty quiet, although there is some noise by the playground. Once school is out, I'm sure it will be busier," noted one camper about Thousand Trails Rondout Valley. Access roads are generally well-maintained, though some campgrounds like Gunx Camping on a Horse Farm feature more rustic conditions with limited amenities. Weather varies significantly by season, with warm summers, colorful autumns, and potential for rain throughout the year.
Campers consistently highlight the region's natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Several visitors mentioned the scenic value of water features, with one noting "the creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish" at Thousand Trails. The area's proximity to the Shawangunk Mountains provides access to hiking trails, rock climbing, and swimming areas at Lake Minnewaska. Private campgrounds typically offer more amenities, with pools, playgrounds, and organized activities common at the Jellystone Parks and other family-oriented locations. More rustic campgrounds provide greater privacy and natural settings but with fewer facilities. The range of camping experiences accommodates both those seeking social, amenity-rich environments and campers preferring quieter, more nature-focused stays.
"With a new check in area, Gardiner has really stepped up. They expanded the pool area to include another pool plus splash area and water slides."
"We got a red carpet site by the Gaga pit and near the water park (Cindy bear lane) and it was a convenient yet noisy site. Kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
"Great place situated in a great area with lots to do all within an hour's drive. Even camping during a pandemic was peaceful & fun!"
"This is a Thousand trails campground so it was free. I think the regular price is $64. Full hookups, tents and cabins to rent. Pleanty to do in and around campground."
"They have the best staff and they are everywhere, if you need someone they are always around and super friendly also."
"Location- 4 stars- close to NYC but kinda just in the woods and close to homes, not much around. Sites- 4 stars- a real mixed bag- the rv/trailer only section is really nice, wooded."
"I definitely recommend trying to get the walk-in (meaning you can't drive to them) sites (8-15) because they're just a little bit more set back and kind of wonderfully wooded all around. 8 & 9 seemed"
"There are drive-up sites and also walk-in sites. No fire pits at individual campsites, though. Only a group fire pit."
"We have stayed here multiple times since it’s so close to home. Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season; Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day."
"The trails to walk on are perfect to get out of the campsite for a few hours. There are no spots with sewer hookup but they have a dumping area."
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Our RV site was private, surround by trees with a nice fire pit and picnic table."
"There are no bathrooms in the cabin but there are public restrooms nearby. The resorts is decked out with 2 playgrounds, a splash park, kiddie pool, family pool and hot tub."
"Best views around and close to the horses! Second night we got a special site with an amazing fire-pit. Last night was cool amongst the pine trees, a fire pit and epic views. "
"But the location is great for accessing the Shawamhunks. Given the lack of affordable RV campgrounds (and even the few expensive ones) in the area, this stands out."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"water to play in right behind tent. I do prefer fire pits over the brick stove. this had the stove. more advanced hiking in walking distance. no cell service. my gps on phone was able to track though."
"Close to Woodstock, NY, many trails and other attractions. You need to plan for it, there's a lot to explore; some trails are challenging. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This property has several sites for you to setup your tent, camper, van, or RV (only small tow behinds or popups, no large RVs) Nearby are wineries to explore. Nice bathrooms and showers!"
from $78 - $400 / night
Check Availability"This campground is nestled in the Catskills, New York, with easy access to New Jersey and Connecticut."
"Access to fresh water spouts and clean bathrooms were just a walk away from most sites, theres a beautiful pond on site and beautiful views of the Catskills, Woodstock is a 15 min drive if you’re looking"
from $22 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe were in campsite 20 with lots of room. The first night we were there we were near very loud groups which was difficult to sleep through. The next night everyone cleared out and we had a peaceful crowd. Bathrooms are nice, the park has great hiking trails and a nice day use area! There is also an area where we can rent canoes. I would definitely return, just wish there was a little more crowd control.
TravelerThis area seems to be devoid of campgrounds except for this one. It’s basically just a large parking lot with hook ups. Completely open, which is great for Starlink. Bathrooms were slightly above average; fairly clean and places to hang clothes for your shower. Has a laundry but be sure to bring quarters. It is about 100 yards from the interstate so you’ll get a lot of noise and diesel exhaust fumes.
ScoutWe really loved this spot- it was relaxing to listen to the sounds of the creek and not having any camping neighbors. The night sky was filled with stars and we even saw a rocket. I also appreciated having an outhouse on site- i would say the only downside was having to take our bag of poop+pee out with us when we left (site rules). The only other thing that was bothersome was being told that wood is provided at the site and then not realizing until after we got there that we would have to Venmo the owner $10 per bundle (I don’t mind paying, just wouldn’t been nice to know ahead of time that it wasn’t included in the price). I recommend this site for anyone who enjoys privacy and doesn’t mind a detox from WiFi.
ScoutRip Van Winkle Campground
Catskills NY
The Good:
1. The location
2. The actual campground itself. There are roomy sites with trees.
The Bad:
1. If you are lucky enough to get an assigned campsite away from the busy road, it is a HALF MILE walk to the only showers in the ENTIRE campground. They have nearly 200 campsites and ONE set of showers.
2. The speed bumps are beyond ridiculous. Two humpers and high as Bob Marley.
3. If you call the office for help (our electrical post was out) they record you without your knowledge.
The Ugly:
1. The campground lost power on my electrical post and tried to blame ME for it. I own a Bulldog surge protector, yeah, so it wasn't me. How it was handled was unbelievable. I have never been treated so rudely. A simple apology would have gone a long way.
ScoutNo hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
ScoutWe reserved for a day. Very bad service. The river is super dirty and they did not even clean the trash cans. Besides, the fire ring has no grill cooking grate, so if you don’t bring your own NO GRILLING. Ryan was the person in front that took care of us, he was rude, my kids felt weird because he was not welcoming at all. Also, we try to ask for a partial refund since we did not felt comfortable since the beginning, and they said NO. We have experience camping, but this one was simply THE WORST. We lost the money but we won’t put our kids in a difficult situation. Thanks.
ScoutWe stay at a lot of Jellystone parks so have become accustomed to the park layouts and activities. This one was well maintained with clean facilities. Some things like the mini golf and fire pits needed maintenance. The pools were nice but get very busy later in the day. The sites up on the hills are nice but beware, it’s a hill! There is little to no WiFi or cell service or it gets easily bogged down, so be ready for that. Food was basic but good. Some activities like bingo were a bit chaotic and there were a lot of ground hornets around the jumping pillows. Would totally go again.
ScoutThe neighbor cry about a dog that barks and then we are no good
RangerThis is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
Seasonal camping opportunities near Ellenville sit at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet in the western Catskills. This transitional zone between the Hudson Valley and mountain forests creates distinct temperature variations, with summer highs averaging 82°F and evening temperatures often dropping to the mid-50s. Most campgrounds require advanced reservations during autumn leaf-peeping season when occupancy rates exceed 90% on weekends.
Hiking near Minnewaska State Park: Just 15 minutes from the Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, several trails connect to the broader park system. "Love this campground! Have been here several times and have never had a complaint. There are drive-up sites and also walk-in sites. No fire pits at individual campsites, though. Only a group fire pit. Located really close to the Gunks for climbing and also some great hikes around the area," notes Jackie B.
Rock climbing for beginners: The Shawangunk Mountains offer world-class rock climbing routes from beginner to advanced levels. "This is a very nice modern campground with great access to amazing hiking and climbing in the area! About half the sites are walk-in and half the sites are drive-up," explains Mollie R. Day passes for climbing access cost $20 per person.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Winding Hills Park provides fishing access for license holders. "There is a large lake to kayak and fish in. NO SWIMMING. The lake is a nice size and has a trail so you walk the entire length with benches around a good portion to sit and/or fish," mentions Amanda B. Fishing licenses are required and rangers regularly check for compliance.
Private wooded sites: Kenneth L Wilson Campground offers secluded sites set back from access roads. "We LOVED our site (site 9). It was absolutely massive! The photo doesn't do it justice. It was set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site! Though it was totally private on one side, we could see our neighbors in site 10 on the other (but they weren't very close to us)," notes C.R.
Modern bathroom facilities: Unlike some more rustic campgrounds, several locations offer clean, updated facilities. "The bathrooms were very clean and new and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!! The ladies that run this campground are absolute queens and were so nice and helpful," says Melanie H. about Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
On-site water features: Many campers appreciate access to natural water. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," writes one camper about Thousand Trails. At Winding Hills Park, "There is a nice sized pond at the park to fish which also has benches around it. By the pond there is a nice picnic area with many picnic tables and grills."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the Ellenville area have spotty connectivity. "No cell service in the campground," reports C.R. about Kenneth L Wilson. At Winding Hills Park, "We had horrible cell service (we have Sprint). Could not make calls or use internet at campgrounds or the park but did see others who were using cellphones."
Reservation requirements vary: While most sites require advance bookings during peak season, others operate differently. "Reservations are needed only for major holidays during camping season; Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Must book the entire holiday weekend 3 days ($90 for non-electric sites add $5 each day for electric)," explains Amanda B. about Winding Hills Park.
Bathroom access considerations: Facility placement differs by campground. "Something we did not appreciate/thought was odd about the campground was that the showers were not by the bathrooms and there was only one shower house very far from the campsites. The dishwashing station was also not near the campsites but not as far as the showers," notes C.R.
Water activities for children: The New York City North-Newburgh KOA offers multiple swimming options. "I love this campground they have counselors who lead activities with kids in the summer and two pools plus a rock climbing tower, manifold, basketball and a bounce pillow and more... they have rental boats for a lake and fishing at the lake too," writes Amanda S.
Family-friendly programming: Jellystone Parks specialize in structured activities. "This campground is great for kids. It has a event just about every weekend with kid activity," shares Jennifer I. about Jellystone Park in Gardiner. Events typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Site selection for quieter stays: Location within campgrounds impacts noise levels. "We found the sites closer to the Playground side/closer to the bathrooms to be more noisy. Also those sites are closer together which would be good for larger groups. Have never had a problem with noise though we have only stayed further away from those areas," advises Amanda B.
Electric hookup considerations: Most campgrounds offer limited electric options. At Winding Hills Park, "I believe it's 51 camp sites which vary in size and majority has electric hookups. When not going on a holiday it is first come first serve spots which is good if you just need to spend one night here."
RV accessibility challenges: Many access roads require careful navigation. "Great campsites, wooded and cozy, though a little tight for longer rigs as our neighbors found out when they ran over a wooden post backing in," warns Chelsea B. about NYC North-Newburgh KOA.
Dumping services: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer full hookups. "There were no spots with sewer hookup but they have a dumping area," notes Valen K. about Winding Hills Park. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, they offer "a service to come to your rig to collect waste if you don't want to move it."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Ellenville, NY?
Ellenville and the surrounding Catskill Mountain region offer several excellent camping options. Sam Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground near Minnewaska State Park Preserve provides access to hiking trails and the unique acidic lake in the park. For those seeking more amenities, Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds features private lakes for fishing, playgrounds, basketball courts, a swimming pool, and even a remote control car track. Other nearby options include Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground with its spacious, tree-surrounded sites, and North-South Lake Campground in the heart of the Catskills.
Is there a Jellystone Park or Yogi Bear campground in Ellenville?
While there isn't a Jellystone Park directly in Ellenville, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres is located in nearby Greenfield Park, approximately 15 minutes from Ellenville. This family-friendly campground offers the themed Yogi Bear experience with amenities like reservable sites, toilet facilities, and accommodation for big rigs. Another option in the region is Jellystone Park Gardiner, which is located about 20 minutes from Ellenville and offers similar family-oriented camping experiences with Yogi Bear themes and activities.
What camping is available near Ellenville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ellenville, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 197 campgrounds and RV parks near Ellenville, NY and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ellenville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ellenville, NY is Jellystone Park™ Gardiner with a 4.2-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ellenville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Ellenville, NY.
What parks are near Ellenville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Ellenville, NY that allow camping, notably Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreation River and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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