The pristine valley surrounding the Village of Ellenville is rich with diverse aquatic landscapes. Many of the lakes on this list are high-altitude glacial features tucked into the mountains, while others are sprawling reservoirs managed for municipal water security and flood mitigation.
These bodies of water offer pristine environments for zero-emission paddling, historic carriage road exploration, and deep-water angling. Many are nestled within extensive state parks and public forest preserves, providing campgrounds, RV spaces, lean-tos, and hundreds of miles of multi-use trails for multi-day wilderness getaways.
Best of all, every destination featured below sits within an hour’s drive from the center of Ellenville. Discover the captivating geology, clear waters, and outdoor recreation opportunities that this section of Ulster and Sullivan counties has to offer!
Lakes near Ellenville:
- Lake Maratanza
- Lake Minnewaska
- Lake Awosting
- Mud Pond
- Rondout Reservoir
- Lake Mohonk
- Neversink Reservoir
- Onteora Lake
- Masten Lake
- Wanaksink Lake
- Yankee Lake
- Alder Lake
Comparison Table
| Lake Name | Distance from Ellenville | Surface Area (Acres) | Primary Activities | Motorized Boating Allowed? |
| Lake Maratanza | 6 miles (15 min) | 41 acres | Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Picnics | No |
| Lake Minnewaska | 12 miles (20 min) | 38 acres | Swimming, Kayaking, Hiking, Scuba | No |
| Lake Awosting | 14 miles (25 min) | 110 acres | Remote Swimming, Biking, Hiking | No |
| Mud Pond | 10 miles (20 min) | 28 acres | Hiking, Nature Photography, Birding | No |
| Rondout Reservoir | 6 miles (10 min) | 3,429 acres | Fishing, Rowboating | Only NYSDEC Registered Rowboats |
| Lake Mohonk | 22 miles (35 min) | 17 acres | Boating, Hiking, Rock Scrambling | Only Resort Boat Rentals |
| Neversink Reservoir | 15 miles (22 min) | 1,539 acres | Trophy Fishing, Kayaking, Rowboating | Only NYSDEC Registered Craft |
| Onteora Lake | 32 miles (40 min) | 30 acres | Kayaking, Canoeing, Mountain Biking | Electric Motors Only |
| Masten Lake | 13 miles (18 min) | 112 acres | Swimming, Powerboating, Jet Skiing | Yes (Private/Resident Access) |
| Wanaksink Lake | 16 miles (22 min) | 310 acres | Fishing, Sailing, Kayaking | Yes (Private/Resident Access) |
| Yankee Lake | 15 miles (20 min) | 410 acres | Paddling, Bass Fishing, Wildlife | Yes (Electric/Low-speed Only) |
| Alder Lake | 39 miles (55 min) | 45 acres | Wilderness Camping, Paddling, Fishing | No |
1. Lake Maratanza
- Source: National Atlas / New York State Parks
- Website: Sam’s Point Preserve
- Distance from Ellenville: 6 miles (15 min)
- Activities: Hiking, Nature Photography, Picnics, Wildlife Viewing
Lake Maratanza holds the distinct title of being the highest altitude lake on New York’s historic Shawangunk Ridge, resting at an elevation of 2,245 feet above sea level. Located within the northern reaches of the Sam’s Point Preserve, this 41-acre “sky lake” features crystal-clear, highly acidic waters characteristic of the ridge’s unique quartz conglomerate geology. A historic earthen dam constructed at its outlet allows the lake to serve as a critical backup drinking water supply for the Village of Ellenville down below.
Because Lake Maratanza functions as a protected public water resource, swimming, boating, and fishing are strictly prohibited. However, the lake remains a focal destination for hikers exploring the ridgetop. A wide, gravel access road leads directly from the Sam’s Point Visitor Center past the lake, offering an easy-to-moderate walking path surrounded by a globally rare dwarf pitch pine barrens ecosystem.
Visitors to Lake Maratanza often combine their trip with a trek to the nearby Ice Caves—deep rock crevices where winter ice stays frozen well into the summer months—or a hike to the spectacular 180-foot Verkeerderkill Falls. Due to the ecological sensitivity and popularity of the site, vehicle parking reservations are mandatory on weekends and holidays from late April through early November.
2. Lake Minnewaska
- Source: NYS OPRHP
- Website: Minnewaska State Park Preserve
- Distance from Ellenville: 12 miles (20 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing, Hiking, Technical Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving
Arguably the crown jewel of the Shawangunks, Lake Minnewaska is a breathtaking glacial sky lake nestled among sheer, 100-foot white quartz cliffs. Spanning roughly 38 surface acres and plummeting to depths of up to 65 feet, the lake is celebrated for its deep, turquoise-colored waters. The preserve surrounds the lake with over 22,000 acres of protected wildlands, featuring immaculate gravel carriage roads originally engineered by 19th-century resort developers.
During the summer operating season (typically mid-June through Labor Day), Lake Minnewaska features a designated, lifeguard-protected swimming beach along its southeastern rim. Scuba divers frequently utilize the lake’s exceptional underwater clarity for training purposes, though special permits are required through the park office. Non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes, can be launched at the public boat area, with seasonal rentals available directly inside the park.
A relatively flat, 1.9-mile loop trail wraps completely around the perimeter of the lake, providing continuous panoramic views of the water below and the distant Catskill High Peaks to the northwest. A parking fee of $10 per vehicle is collected at the main gate off NY-243, and the parking lots fill up exceptionally early during peak summer weekends.
3. Lake Awosting
- Source: Scenic Hudson / NYS Parks
- Website: Lake Awosting Area
- Distance from Ellenville: 14 miles (25 min)
- Activities: Remote Swimming, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing
For those seeking a more rugged, less crowded alternative to Minnewaska, Lake Awosting is an unmissable destination located deeper within the state park preserve. Spanning 110 surface acres, Awosting is roughly three times larger than Lake Minnewaska and extends more than a mile in length. Tucked away under the shadow of High Point, the lake features an incredibly unique natural beach consisting of a smooth, flat quartz rock slab that slopes gently into the deep, cool water.
What keeps Lake Awosting remarkably pristine is its remote nature. The lake cannot be reached by car; visitors must hike, run, or mountain bike approximately 3.5 miles from the Awosting parking lot via the gradual incline of the Lake Awosting Carriage Road. The reward for the trek is access to ultra-clear water that stays refreshing even in late August, complete with a seasonal lifeguard team stationed on the rock slab.
Anglers should note that due to the lake’s naturally high acidity levels, it does not support a significant fish population, meaning recreation here centers purely on human-powered transit and swimming. In mid-June, the carriage trails leading to Awosting burst into vibrant color with a spectacular bloom of native mountain laurel.
4. Mud Pond
- Source: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- Website: Witch’s Hole State Forest
- Distance from Ellenville: 10 miles (20 min)
- Activities: Backcountry Hiking, Birdwatching, Wildlife Photography
Despite its unassuming name, Mud Pond is a beautifully tranquil, undeveloped mountain pond located within the Witch’s Hole State Forest, just southeast of Ellenville near the hamlet of Cragsmoor. Covering roughly 28 acres, this shallow, high-altitude body of water is surrounded by dense hemlock-hardwood swamps and thick thickets of highbush blueberry.
Mud Pond is an ideal destination for wilderness enthusiasts looking to escape the heavily trafficked state parks. The pond is accessed via the Long Path, a long-distance hiking trail that cuts directly through this section of the Shawangunks. The terrain here is rocky, uneven, and often damp, requiring sturdy waterproof footwear.
Because the shoreline is entirely wild and free of human development, Mud Pond acts as a critical sanctuary for regional wildlife. Birdwatchers regularly visit the area to spot migratory waterfowl, blue herons, and various species of warblers. It is also common to spot signs of white-tailed deer, river otters, and black bears along the muddy banks. No facilities or boat launches exist at this location, emphasizing its “leave no trace” appeal.
5. Rondout Reservoir
- Source: NYC Department of Environmental Protection
- Website: Rondout Reservoir Fishing
- Distance from Ellenville: 6 miles (10 min)
- Activities: Shoreline Fishing, Rowboating, Eagle Watching, Scenic Driving
Straddling the border of Ulster and Sullivan counties just northwest of Ellenville, the massive Rondout Reservoir is a vital piece of the New York City water supply system. Formed by the construction of the Merriman Dam across the Rondout Creek in 1950, this engineering marvel holds up to 49.6 billion gallons of water at full capacity. The reservoir spans an impressive 3,429 surface acres and stretches nearly 6.5 miles in length, featuring maximum depths exceeding 175 feet.
Recreational access to the reservoir is strictly regulated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Swimming, paddleboarding, and conventional motorboats are barred to maintain water purity. However, the reservoir is highly prized by local anglers for its world-class coldwater fishing. The deep, oxygen-rich waters support a thriving population of lake trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and chain pickerel.
To fish or launch a vessel, recreationists must secure a free NYC DEP Access Permit. Boats are limited to classic, non-motorized rowboats which must be steam-cleaned and registered to remain permanently moored at designated storage zones along the shoreline. Route 55 runs directly alongside the northern coast, offering an exceptionally scenic drive with multiple roadside pull-offs perfect for viewing nesting bald eagles.
6. Lake Mohonk
- Source: Mohonk Preserve / Mohonk Mountain House
- Website: Lake Mohonk Area
- Distance from Ellenville: 22 miles (35 min)
- Activities: Hiking, Rock Scrambling, Rowboating, Paddleboating, Winter Ice Skating
Situated further northeast along the Shawangunk Ridge, Lake Mohonk is a spectacular 17-acre glacial lake bordered by towering cliffs of Shawangunk conglomerate stone. The lake is famously home to the Mohonk Mountain House, a National Historic Landmark resort founded in 1869. The water reaches depths of 60 feet and is surrounded by a meticulously maintained network of historic summerhouses, wooden boardwalks, and technical rock scramble trails.
Public access to Lake Mohonk requires the purchase of a day hiking pass from the Mohonk Preserve or a grounds pass from the resort. While public swimming is reserved exclusively for overnight resort guests, day visitors can rent rowboats, kayaks, and paddleboats from the historic lakefront boat house during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons.
The surrounding landscape offers legendary hiking adventures, including the famous Labyrinth trail—a challenging obstacle course of massive boulders and ladders culminating in the narrow “Lemon Squeeze” crevice. Emerging from the squeeze rewards hikers with sweeping views of the lake from the top of the Albert K. Smiley Memorial Tower atop Skytop cliff.
7. Neversink Reservoir
- Source: NYCDEP / Sullivan County Tourism
- Website: Neversink Reservoir Recreation
- Distance from Ellenville: 15 miles (22 min)
- Activities: Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Rowboating, Hiking
Located 15 miles west of Ellenville in Sullivan County, the Neversink Reservoir holds the title of being the highest reservoir in the NYC water system, sits at an elevation of 1,440 feet. Constructed in 1953 by damming the pristine Neversink River, the reservoir covers 1,539 surface acres, sinks to a maximum depth of 175 feet, and holds roughly 34.9 billion gallons of water when full. Below its deep waters lies the remnants of the historic, flooded town of Old Neversink.
In recent years, the NYC DEP expanded recreational rules on the Neversink Reservoir, making it one of the few city reservoirs where recreational kayaking and canoeing are permitted alongside traditional fishing rowboats. All watercraft must be explicitly clean-certified and tagged with a DEP vessel sticker before launching from approved access points off Route 55.
Anglers flock to the Neversink Reservoir for its pristine water clarity and outstanding sportfishing. The reservoir is stocked annually with thousands of brown trout and offers exceptional wild populations of landlocked Atlantic salmon and smallmouth bass. The lack of heavy shore development provides a serene, backcountry atmosphere backdropped by the rolling Southern Catskill peaks.
8. Onteora Lake
- Source: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- Website: [Bluestone Wild Forest](https://dec.ny.gov/places/bluestone-wild forest)
- Distance from Ellenville: 32 miles (40 min)
- Activities: Kayaking, Canoeing, Fishing, Picnics, Mountain Biking, Trail Running
Located just north of Route 28 within the Bluestone Wild Forest, Onteora Lake is a scenic, 30-acre water body that provides an excellent, family-friendly destination for paddle sports and trail exploration. The lake was initially expanded in the early 20th century via small-scale damming of local wetland streams to assist regional bluestone mining operations, an industry that historically supplied sidewalk stone to New York City.
Today, Onteora Lake features a gravel boat launch suitable for kayaks, canoes, and small jon boats. Gas-powered motors are banned, ensuring a quiet environment where paddlers only have to contend with minor, gentle ripples. The lake is well-stocked with warmwater fish species, making it a reliable spot to hook largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, and chain pickerel.
Surrounding the lake is an extensive network of multi-use trails highly favored by local mountain bikers for their technical rocky features and moderate elevation changes. A designated picnic area complete with accessible parking and public chemical toilets sits right beside the main launch site, making it a highly functional rest stop during a day trip through the Catskill foothills.
9. Masten Lake
- Source: Town of Mamakating Records
- Website: Masten Lake Community
- Distance from Ellenville: 13 miles (18 min)
- Activities: Swimming, Powerboating, Water Skiing, Jet Skiing, Fishing
Heading southwest from Ellenville into the Town of Mamakating brings you to Masten Lake, a vibrant 112-acre water body nestled within the historic Mamakating Park district. Unlike the strictly wild state preserves and municipal reservoirs of the region, Masten Lake is a residential and recreational lake featuring private community access points, sandy beaches, and seasonal docks along its perimeter.
Masten Lake is one of the few options near Ellenville where high-speed motorized watercraft, water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skis are permitted. The lake has an average depth of roughly 12 feet with deep spots reaching 20 feet, providing plenty of safe clearances for motorized summer recreation.
For anglers with community access or staying at local vacation rentals, Masten Lake offers fantastic seasonal fishing. The lake supports a robust warmwater fishery teeming with largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, and chain pickerel. The lake’s surrounding community retains an architecture reminiscent of its early 20th-century roots as a Catskill summer bungalow destination.
10. Wanaksink Lake
- Source: Wanaksink Lake Club
- Website: Wanaksink Lake History
- Distance from Ellenville: 16 miles (22 min)
- Activities: Sailing, Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Tennis, Community Events
Spanning an impressive 310 surface acres near the hamlet of Rock Hill, Wanaksink Lake is a large, spring-fed glacial lake that boasts an active lake community. Originally used by indigenous populations and early timber harvesters, the lake was systematically dammed and developed into a formal recreational association in the early decades of the 2000s. The lake features clear water with a highly irregular shoreline that creates numerous quiet coves and bays.
Recreational access to the water and its beaches is governed by the private Wanaksink Lake Club, meaning visitors typically access the lake through resident sponsorship or local vacation home rentals. The lake community enforces strict speed limitations on motorized watercraft to protect paddlers and local wildlife, making it a premier regional hub for small-craft sailing, windsurfing, and distance kayaking.
Fishing on Wanaksink Lake is excellent throughout the year, including a dedicated local ice fishing contingent during the deep winter months. Anglers routinely land sizable largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish along the lake’s submerged structures and weed lines.
11. Yankee Lake
- Source: Yankee Lake Preservation Association
- Website: Yankee Lake NY
- Distance from Ellenville: 15 miles (20 min)
- Activities: Eco-paddling, Bass Fishing, Birdwatching, Ice Fishing
Yankee Lake is a sprawling, 410-acre body of water situated just off Route 17 in Sullivan County. First established as a small natural pond, the lake was dramatically expanded via an earthen dam built in the mid-19th century to supply a reliable flow of feeder water to the historic Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Canal, which passed through the valley below.
The shoreline of Yankee Lake is a mix of historic lake cottages and vast stretches of protected wetlands managed by the state. To maintain the tranquil nature of the ecosystem, the lake association prohibits large, gas-powered speedboats; watercraft are restricted to electric trolling motors, kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. This makes Yankee Lake a haven for flatwater paddlers who want to explore its numerous islands, floating cranberry bogs, and stump-filled shallows.
The lake is widely celebrated as one of the finest largemouth bass fisheries in the southern Catskill region, frequently hosting catch-and-release community fishing tournaments. Because of its expansive wetlands, Yankee Lake serves as a major breeding ground for great blue herons, osprey, and bald eagles, providing premier viewing opportunities from the water.
12. Alder Lake
- Source: NYSDEC / Catskill Forest Preserve
- Website: Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest
- Distance from Ellenville: 39 miles (55 min)
- Activities: Backcountry Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, Brook Trout Fishing, Hiking
Tucked deep into the Beaverkill Valley within the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest, Alder Lake is a pristine 45-acre wilderness lake that offers the ultimate mountain escape. The lake was established around 1900 by wealthy financier Samuel D. Coykendall, who built a grand stone-and-timber lodge along its eastern shore. While the lodge has since fallen into ruins, the historic stone foundations remain a fascinating feature for visitors arriving at the lake.
Alder Lake is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a wild, non-motorized asset. A flat, 1.6-mile loop trail circles the shoreline, providing access to several primitive, first-come, first-served backcountry campsites and three wooden lean-tos. No formal beach or lifeguards exist, but wilderness swimming is permitted at your own risk in the crisp, refreshing mountain water.
For anglers, Alder Lake is a legendary location due to its cold, clean feed streams that support a wild, self-sustaining population of native brook trout. Special artificial-lures-only regulations are strictly enforced to preserve the fragile trout fishery. The lake also serves as the western trailhead for the Mill Brook Ridge Trail, which challenges advanced hikers with a grueling 5.9-mile climb up to the Balsam Lake Mountain fire tower.
