Best Dispersed Camping near Ellenville, NY
Several primitive camping areas exist in the forests surrounding Ellenville, New York. Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed offers free, hike-in tent camping with no facilities about 15 miles southeast of Ellenville. The small parking lot accommodates only 4-5 vehicles, and campsites must be established at least 150 feet from the trail. A recent review noted, "There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever and barely even a signal here, but it's quiet and off the beaten path."
For backcountry enthusiasts, Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping provides free sites approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, with spots located along a river. Echo Lake, northeast of Ellenville, features lakeside tent sites and a lean-to shelter accessible via hiking trails. A camper wrote, "There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake." Most dispersed sites in the region permit fires but lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service. Standard Leave No Trace principles apply, and some locations may require permits from the local ranger's office during peak seasons.
