North-South Lake Campground sits within the Catskill Forest Preserve at 2,000 feet elevation, providing cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands during summer months. The region features deciduous forests dominated by maple, oak, and beech trees that create a colorful backdrop during fall camping season. Temperatures typically range from 45-75°F during the main camping season of May through October.
What to do
Hiking to scenic overlooks: North-South Lake Campground connects to the Escarpment Trail with access to Artist's Rock, Sunset Rock, and Newman's Ledge viewpoints. "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," notes Jessica W. about North-South Lake Campground.
Swimming in glacier-carved lakes: Two natural lakes provide swimming opportunities with designated beach areas that include lifeguards 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. about the swimming areas at North-South Lake.
Stream fishing: Betty Brook Camp offers streamside camping with fishing access. "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream," explains Robert B. about Betty Brook Camp.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Restroom maintenance receives consistent positive feedback from visitors. "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," mentions Brittany W. about her experience at North-South Lake Campground.
Proximity to waterfalls: The campground's location near Kaaterskill Falls (260 feet tall, one of New York's highest) attracts many visitors. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot," notes Brittany W.
Family-friendly environment: Campgrounds in the region accommodate various group sizes. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," states Becky G. about the features available for families.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), campsites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G. about securing prime spots at North-South Lake.
Seasonal crowding: Holiday weekends experience significantly higher visitor numbers. "Always packed, but always beautiful. Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here," shares Maribeth W. about the popularity of the area.
Remote locations: Some campgrounds offer minimal facilities but provide greater solitude. "I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away," explains Peter about Betty Brook Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple activity options: North-South Lake offers diverse recreation for different age groups. "Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all," states Chris D. about the variety of activities at Country Campsites.
Kid-friendly hiking trails: Several trails under 2 miles with minimal elevation gain are suitable for younger children. "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," Jessica W. mentions.
Large group accommodations: Campgrounds can accommodate extended family gatherings. "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," notes Tara L.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Betty Brook Camp has limitations for larger vehicles. "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," advises Peter.
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer partial hookups for RV campers. "This campground has many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single," shares Eliany L. about Artisan Hill Farm & Studio.
Horse camping options: Equestrian campers can find dedicated facilities at Arcadian Pastures Equine, one of the few horse campgrounds near Hudson, New York that provides dedicated equine camping amenities. The camp accommodates both riders and their horses with specific areas designated for trailers and equipment.
