North-South Lake Campground provides family-friendly accommodations in the Catskills at an elevation of 2,200 feet, offering respite from summer heat. The area features two connected lakes spanning 53 acres total, with swimming areas and boat rentals available during peak season. Water temperatures remain cool even in summer months due to the mountain location.
What to do
Swimming in natural lakes: North-South Lake Campground offers excellent swimming opportunities with designated beach areas. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," notes Lizz H., who frequently visits the area.
Hiking to scenic viewpoints: The campground provides direct access to the Catskill Escarpment trail system with routes suitable for various skill levels. Jessica W. shares, "The hiking nearby is also relatively easy and includes the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform for Kaasterskill falls, which is minutes down the road from the campground."
Water recreation options: North-South Lake Campground allows non-motorized boats on both lakes, perfect for paddling enthusiasts. "Two lakes. Highly recommended," says Luka M., highlighting the dual-lake feature that provides varied water experiences.
What campers like
Proximity to natural attractions: The location offers convenient access to regional highlights. Brittany W. appreciates that it's "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot."
Clean facilities: Betty Brook Camp receives praise for its maintenance despite being more remote. Robert B. notes, "Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream."
Multi-generational appeal: The campgrounds foster family traditions across generations. Chris D. shares, "I'm a native of the Catskills and spent many an afternoon with my family enjoying the facilities at North/South Lake. I've recently started going there again with my own family and it's great to see them take the same enjoyment I did."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites at North-South Lake fill extremely quickly. Rachel G. advises, "Clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails. Reserve very early for waterfront."
Seasonal crowds: Country Campsites can provide alternatives when North-South Lake reaches capacity. Tara L. suggests, "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," noting that North-South Lake "is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York."
Equestrian accommodations: Horse owners seeking equestrian camping near Annandale-on-Hudson should note that while trails for horseback riding exist in the Catskill Forest Preserve, most campgrounds lack dedicated horse facilities. Riders need to trailer to designated equestrian trailheads from their camping base.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Choose sites away from main roads for quieter family camping. Becky G. describes North-South Lake as a "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking."
Multiple recreation options: Artisan Hill Farm & Studio provides alternative accommodations with shower and toilet facilities. The diversity of activities keeps children engaged, with Chris D. noting North-South Lake offers "Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all."
Bathroom considerations: Facilities receive regular maintenance, important for families with young children. Eliany L. mentions, "Great restrooms cleaned every morning staff was very friendly, awesome!!" making the camping experience more comfortable for everyone.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Most RV sites at North-South Lake can accommodate medium-sized rigs, though premium locations require advance planning. Eliany L. notes the diversity of accommodations: "This campground has many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single."
Limited hookup options: Betty Brook Camp provides more primitive camping for smaller rigs. Peter comments, "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Seasonal availability: Equestrian camping options near Annandale-on-Hudson have limited availability during shoulder seasons. The region's campgrounds typically operate between mid-May and late October, with North-South Lake's season running "May 19 to October 22" according to official listings.
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