North-South Lake Campground offers swimming opportunities in the Catskill Mountains region near Ghent, New York. The campground contains two lakes suitable for swimming during summer months when lifeguards are typically on duty. Campsite reservations can be made up to nine months in advance through the New York State Parks reservation system, with waterfront sites booking quickly during peak summer weekends.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access to the Catskill Escarpment Trail provides views of the Hudson Valley from several lookout points. North-South Lake Campground connects to multiple hiking paths. "A lot of 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," notes Jessica W.
Swimming areas: Both North and South Lakes have designated swimming beaches with changing facilities. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," reports Lizz H.
Boating options: Non-motorized boats including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are permitted on both lakes. Rentals may be available during peak season. "Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all," says Chris D.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance of restrooms and common areas receives positive feedback from visitors. "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," writes Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground.
Natural separation: Many campsites feature vegetation barriers providing privacy between sites. "This campground has many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single," explains Eliany L.
Stream access: Some dispersed camping options provide streamside locations. At Betty Brook Camp, "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," according to Robert B., who adds "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now."
What you should know
Reservation timing: For popular campgrounds during peak season, booking well in advance is essential. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G. about North-South Lake.
Crowding considerations: Holiday weekends attract larger crowds to established campgrounds. "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," recommends Tara L.
Remote camping options: For those seeking solitude, dispersed camping provides alternatives to established campgrounds. At Betty Brook Camp, "Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people," notes Robert B.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible hiking: Family-friendly trails around North-South Lake accommodate various skill levels. "This campsite is by far my favorite in the Catskills! Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable, bathrooms & beach areas are always clean, & the hiking nearby is fantastic," writes Jessica W.
Equestrian options: For families interested in horse camping near Ghent, New York, Arcadian Pastures Equine provides camping facilities with fire rings that include grill tops for cooking meals. The campground requires reservations and maintains a no-pets policy.
Multiple recreational activities: Diverse activity options keep family members of different ages engaged. North-South Lake offers "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," according to Becky G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking RV sites, verify space dimensions to ensure proper fit. "The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done," notes Peter about dispersed camping at Betty Brook Camp.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary across campgrounds near Ghent. Country Campsites provides electric hookups, drinking water, sewer connections, and trash service for RV campers.
Road access considerations: Some remote campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. Regarding Betty Brook Camp, Peter advises, "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."
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