Best Equestrian Camping near Copake Falls, NY
North-South Lake Campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve accommodates horses with spacious, well-spaced sites suitable for equestrian camping. The campground features 219 primitive sites across seven loops, many with enough room for horse trailers. Sites are generally level and shaded, with some offering views of North Lake or access to nearby creeks. The campground maintains clean bathroom facilities with showers and provides water spigots throughout the camping areas. Black bear activity is common in this region, requiring proper food storage and campsite cleanliness. While the campground does not offer dedicated horse corrals, the spacious sites allow for portable containment systems.
Extensive trail networks connect directly to North-South Lake Campground, providing excellent riding opportunities throughout the Catskill Mountains. The campground serves as an ideal base for accessing the Catskill Escarpment trail system and numerous hiking paths that are suitable for horseback riding. Trails range from relatively easy paths around the lakes to more challenging routes with significant elevation changes. Kaaterskill Falls is accessible via trail from the campground, though some routes may be strenuous for horses. The campground operates seasonally from May 19 to October 22, with reservations strongly recommended, especially for weekend visits. Sites cost approximately $28 per night, and campers should bring their own horse containment systems as permanent equine facilities are not provided on-site.
