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Best Equestrian Camping near Monterey, MA

43 Reviews

North-South Lake Campground lacks dedicated equestrian accommodations but provides general camping options in the Catskills region. Located in Haines Falls, New York, this established campground operates from May 19 to October 22 with tent and RV sites available through drive-in or walk-in access. While the campground permits pets, it does not offer specific horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities. The campground features picnic tables, fire pits with grill tops, and allows alcohol consumption on premises.

The surrounding area offers hiking trails that connect to various scenic points including Kaaterskill Falls and Mountain House Site. Campers report the sites are spacious and private, often tucked under shady trees. Bathroom facilities are clean with hot showers and convenient dishwashing stations. North-South Lake Campground provides access to two lakes with beaches and kayaking opportunities. Bear activity is common in the region, requiring careful food storage and waste management. The campground strictly enforces quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am. No cell service or internet connectivity is available throughout the property, creating a truly unplugged wilderness experience.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Monterey, Massachusetts (2)

    1. North-South Lake Campground

    44 Reviews
    Palenville, NY
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 589-5058

    $22 - $44 / night

    "Loved that trailheads are walking distance from the sites. But we felt very close to campers next to us, not a lot of shrubbery between sites to feel somewhat private."

    "Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer."

    2. Country Campsites

    Be the first to review!
    Cairo, NY
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 634-7005

    $55 - $195 / night

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Monterey, MA

43 Reviews of 2 Monterey Campgrounds

  • nThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    North-South Lake Campground

    Beautiful grounds but…

    Gorgeous campgrounds, friendly staff, and spectacular facilities. Loved that trailheads are walking distance from the sites. But we felt very close to campers next to us, not a lot of shrubbery between sites to feel somewhat private. Fire pits are very nice but more catered to cooking instead of being able to sit around in a circle. Also, we picked a site hoping we’d have a nice view of the lake but it’s hard to see from the site and a good walk away. Overall, beautiful grounds but I’d take less facilities to have a more “woodsy” vibe but that’s just my preference!

  • Lena L.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    North-South Lake Campground

    Family friendly

    Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer. Sites are tucked away in the trees for privacy. We set up our 6 person tent and two hammocks comfortably. Long walk to the beach from our site but enjoyable anyway. Nice little hiking trails nearby.

  • R
    Aug. 26, 2018

    North-South Lake Campground

    Love this place

    The sites are spacious and private and there are lake side sites available too. Perfect for groups!! We were able to maximize our lake experience by bringing an inflatable kayak. I was able to explore many different parts of the lake and do a decent amount of fishing. There were a few hiking trails walking distance of the campground that were fun to explore. We will def come back!!

  • M
    Jul. 3, 2019

    North-South Lake Campground

    Great family campground

    This place is enormous. This is a NYS park run by DEC. They are very strict with quite hours which are from 10pm to 7am. The had a truck come around many times after 10pm to make sure everyone was quite. This is a great spot for young kids. I was warned about high black bear activity in the region and even had to sign a waiver acknowledging their presence and all the rules associated.

    Each site had a fire pit with a grill on top of it and a picnic table. Sites are very close together but that didn’t bother me. There are bathrooms and showers, both very clean in every loop. Attached to the bathroom area is a large sink to wash dishes.

    The north lake is under construction so there is not beach front there. Beware of staying in Loop 6 as you will probably hear the construction noises.

    The north lake does however have a nice path alongside it and a spot to deploy a non motorized boat.

    No cell service anywhere in the park or close by.

    I highly recommend staying here.

  • M
    Oct. 26, 2025

    North-South Lake Campground

    Beautiful grounds HORRIBLE STAFF

    I don’t normally write reviews especially a negative one. We had a very upsetting experience at North-South Lake. We drove over two hours to visit my husband’s childhood campground for the first time with our three kids(ages 5, 7, and 9). When we arrived at the entrance, we were asked if it was a day visit, and we said yes, we were only staying for the day. We paid the fee, received a map, and drove in. My husband was so excited to finally share this place and create memories with our children. Looking for a place to park, we thought we were lucky to find an empty campsite in one of the loops where he used to camp as a child.

    We parked the car hoping to enjoy the view of the lake, take a walk, and maybe make the kids a couple of s’mores before heading home.

     At around 2:15–2:30 p.m., the “SUPERVISOR” in the white Kia approached us in an extremely rude and nasty manner, speaking as if we were committing a serious crime and comparing our situation to“sleeping in someone else’s hotel room.” She asked us if we had a reservation; we said no. She said,“Someone else reserved this spot.” We were very apologetic, embarrassed, and immediately put our stuff in the car. I said they could have told us; we would have moved right away. I’m sorry. 

    She said,“They aren’t supposed to talk to you; that’s why they send me here.” She told us we had ten minutes to leave, waited there while we put our chair, blanket, and s’more cookies in the car, and refused our 9-year-old daughter access to the bathroom while we packed up our three things, and even followed us out of the loop to make sure we didn’t park elsewhere. My daughter came to us crying because the lady told her she couldn’t use the bathroom and had to get in the car. Well, she had an accident in the car right as we were pulling out. 

    We were mortified and apologetic. My husband even offered to leave the firewood we had just purchased for the next campers, but she was dismissive and harsh about that as well. 

    The following day, I called and asked to speak with a manager to explain how we were treated. The manager was just as unfriendly and miserable sounding as the supervisor. I was told they had been looking for us“for hours” and that it’s“common sense” not to park in a campsite. She actually said it’s considered trespassing. So, a friendly warning for first-time visitors: Apparently, if you don’t know that“day use” doesn’t mean“park in any empty campsite,” just for the day, you’re officially a trespassing criminal, at least according to the manager. 

    Reading the website now, I see that check-in for people with reservations is at 2 p.m., which was the time we were trying to make a small fire, so unless someone left their site and returned, it’s unclear how they could have been looking for us“for hours.” We were right there at 2pm. 

    The website also states: Day Use• Anyone who is not camping is a day-user. Day-use hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Day-users are not allowed between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. 

    We were not camping but didn’t realize we couldn’t park in an empty campsite. I think“common sense” would be to inform DAY USE visitors at the ENTRANCE to use public parking, especially for families or first-time visitors who may not be camping experts. Bottom line: this was my husband’s childhood family spot. We just wanted to take a beautiful fall drive and have a special day with our kids. 

    We understand now that we needed to reserve the parking spot ahead of time, and it was an honest misunderstanding. I would have even offered to pay for the campers’ stay for their trouble. What we wish for is that the staff had approached us respectfully and explained the situation instead of treating us like criminals. Imagine being such a miserable person and working in such a BEAUTIFUL and peaceful place for families. 

    This was meant to be a special family day, honoring memories of my father-in-law and creating new ones with our children. Instead, it became stressful and humiliating. Sadly, this is what our children will remember about the day and about North South Lake

  • L
    Jun. 24, 2022

    North-South Lake Campground

    Lake, creek and waterfalls!

    Beautiful. Our site had a creek close behind it and only a short walk to the lake. We were there in middle of the week and it was very quiet. Most sites a shady and private. Loved it, hope to visit again sometime.

  • Brian H.
    Aug. 31, 2016

    North-South Lake Campground

    camp here if you love hiking

    the hiking here is phenomenal! easy and walking distance from your site

  • Nadia V.
    Aug. 30, 2016

    North-South Lake Campground

    Had so much fun-Can't wait to come back!

    North-South Lake Campground was a blast. My family and I loved every second of it. We enjoyed some beautiful hikes- one that lead to a rock that they call "alligator rock" which obviously looked like an alligator. This same hike took us around some other pretty cool sites as well. It was really nice to get away from the busy city and come here to escape the busyness. North South Lake is located within the Catskill Forest Preserve and I was told that this is the largest campsite available. I believe them because we did get lost once we were in the park, trying to find our camping spot. I would recommend downloading or asking for a campground map before going so you know exactly where your campsite is. We also enjoyed the lakes that were located within the campground. We found 2 different lakes, but not sure if there are more. We also did some hiking (to Alligator Rock). One hike that I really enjoyed was Kaaterskill Falls- This was absolutely gorgeous and the views were amazing. We did some research prior to coming, and from this hike you are able to see 5 different states from the top of this hike. We went on a beautiful, clear day so we were able to see miles ahead of us. Other activities you can do are boat, fish, and swim at the beaches. This campground literally has everything you could want in a campground and more! I would recommend coming here, and would give this North-South Lake a 10/10, A+++

  • Reneé Rose B.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    North-South Lake Campground

    A perfect visit

    The campground was active but not crowded. There is a variety of water sources with multiple camp sites abutting them. Each site is spacious and is tucked nicely into the woods giving optimal privacy. The sites do not have water or electricity but there’s a water tap nearby the sites. The sky is open and brilliant at night.

Guide to Monterey

North-South Lake Campground provides a range of recreational opportunities in New York's Catskill region where the elevation reaches approximately 2,200 feet above sea level. The campground operates seasonally from May through October, with 219 campsites spread across multiple loops. Water temperatures in the two connected lakes typically range from 65-72°F during summer months.

What to do

Hiking to scenic viewpoints: The campground connects to an extensive trail network offering views across the Hudson Valley. Trails range from gentle lake loops to challenging mountain ascents. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there," notes Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground.

Swimming and beach activities: Both North Lake and South Lake feature designated swimming areas with sandy beaches open during peak season. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares Lizz H.

Boating opportunities: Visitors can launch canoes, kayaks, and small boats without motors on either lake. Rentals available on-site during summer months. "Two lakes. Highly recommended," states Luka M. about the water recreation options.

What campers like

Clean facilities: The campground maintains well-serviced restroom buildings throughout the property. "Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable, bathrooms & beach areas are always clean, & the hiking nearby is fantastic," reports Jessica W. about North-South Lake Campground.

Variable site sizes: Campsite options accommodate different group sizes and camping styles. "This campground has many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single. Great place to camp," explains Eliany L.

Historical connections: The area contains remnants of the historic Catskill Mountain House and other 19th-century attractions. "Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here," notes Maribeth W. about the historical hiking opportunities.

What you should know

Popularity and crowds: The campground can become busy, particularly on summer weekends and holidays. "Always packed, but always beautiful," writes Maribeth W. about North-South Lake Campground. Consider weekday visits for more solitude.

Reservation requirements: Sites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G.

Limited equestrian options: While North-South Lake doesn't offer dedicated equestrian camping facilities, the surrounding Catskill region has limited horseback riding trails. Equestrian camping near Monterey, Massachusetts requires traveling to alternative facilities as horse corrals are not available on-site.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water access: The lakes offer gradual entry points suitable for younger swimmers with designated swimming areas. "I've recently started going there again with my own family and it's great to see them take the same enjoyment I did. Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all," shares Chris D. about North-South Lake Campground.

Family-appropriate trails: Several easier hiking routes branch directly from the campground suitable for children of various ages. "A lot of the hiking nearby is also relatively easy and includes the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform for Kaasterskill falls," notes Jessica W.

Spacious group sites: Reserve adjacent sites or dedicated group areas when camping with multiple families. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," confirms Becky G.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger units: Not all campsites accommodate larger RVs, so check site specifications when booking. "This campground has many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single," explains Eliany L. about North-South Lake Campground.

Hook-up availability: Select loops offer electric and water hookups, though availability is limited during peak season. Full equestrian camping facilities for those traveling with horses near Monterey, Massachusetts are not available at this location.

Off-season considerations: The campground operates with reduced services in shoulder seasons (May and October), with potential for cooler temperatures. "North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out," notes Tara L.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Monterey, MA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Monterey, MA is North-South Lake Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 44 reviews.

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