North-South Lake and Devil's Tombstone Campgrounds near Elka Park sit at elevations between 1,800-2,000 feet in the eastern Catskills. The region receives about 42 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush forests and seasonal streams. Camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October with fall temperatures often dropping below 40°F at night.
What to do
Hiking to Kaaterskill Falls: Located just a mile from North-South Lake Campground, this 260-foot two-tiered waterfall is accessible via a moderate trail. "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.
Swimming in North-South Lake: The dual lakes offer designated swimming areas with sandy beaches during summer months. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares Lizz H., making it ideal for pet owners seeking water recreation beyond creek access.
Backpacking the Devil's Path: One of the most challenging trails in the Northeast, Devil's Path passes near Phoenicia Black Bear Campground. Derek W. reports, "I booked this campsite because of its proximity to a multitude of trailheads. This time I spent some time hiking on the Devils Path. The owners are very friendly and personable."
What campers like
Creek access for water play: Campers appreciate sites with stream access for cooling off. "We had one of the creek front campsites and highly recommend doing so. They're slightly more expensive but the view is so worth it. The creek was perfect for dipping your feet and just hanging out," notes a visitor to Black Bear Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers chances to observe local fauna. At Rip Van Winkle Campground, Kane B. shares a unique experience: "It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. A Kenneth L Wilson visitor notes, "The bathrooms were fine. They were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper. The showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!! The ladies that run this campground are absolute queens and were so nice and helpful."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have poor or no connectivity. At Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground, Daniel L. mentions, "Although No cell service site was nice. Was our first shakedown camping trip. Very nice (clean) bathrooms and showers. Private level site surrounded by trees."
Campsite selection impacts privacy: Sites vary considerably in seclusion and layout. Katherine P. explains about Kenneth L Wilson: "Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy. Ours allowed you to be pretty far back from the road for more privacy, but some of the other sites were literally next to the road."
Seasonal crowding: Popular areas get busy, especially on holiday weekends. "North South lake is one of the larger public camp grounds in New York. The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge. Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," advises Tara L.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Several sites offer family-friendly facilities. Becky G. says Woodland Valley Campground is "large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking."
Consider proximity to towns: Locations near small towns provide backup options for supplies or meals. "River access for tubing! Love the owner! 2 minutes walk to town," notes kendra P. about Black Bear Campground's location near Phoenicia.
Check for swimming options: Water features are popular with children. Kyla B. shares about Kenneth L Wilson: "They have a lake on site with swimming. We happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great! We had a great time and definitely seemed family friendly."
Tips for RVers
Site dimensions vary significantly: RV owners should confirm space requirements before booking. At Devil's Tombstone Campground, Sam L. advises, "We had a VW Westfalia, which we had no trouble pulling into our site. If we had something bigger, it might have been an issue."
Limited hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer full services. At Echo Lake, primitive camping is the only option with "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."
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches. Gavin T. notes about Devil's Tombstone, "Be aware that rt 214 separates the campground in half. A lightly to moderately traveled road, the sound of cars and trucks are certainly common."
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