North-South Lake Campground sits in the Catskill Mountains at 2,000 feet elevation, offering cooler temperatures compared to surrounding lowlands during summer months. The area features deciduous forests with hemlock, oak, and maple trees that create vibrant fall foliage displays. Horse camping opportunities exist throughout the region with sites accommodating trailers and offering access to established trail systems.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: North-South Lake Campground provides swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. "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 frequents the lake.
Hiking with elevation changes: Trails near Moreau Lake State Park Campground accommodate various skill levels with interconnected paths. "Great hiking trails with views. We love that it is close to Saratoga Springs as well," writes Leah B., highlighting the park's accessible trail system.
Watercraft exploration: Rent canoes or bring your own to explore calm lake waters. "The lake is nice for canoeing and kayaking but fish number and sizes are limited due to number of people fishing it on a regular basis," explains Robert L., providing context about fishing conditions at Moreau Lake.
Trail riding with horses: Dedicated equestrian trails connect camping areas with longer route systems. Betty Brook Camp permits horses on nearby forest paths with stream crossings. "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," shares Robert B. about this horse-friendly camping location.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: North-South Lake Campground offers sites with natural vegetation buffers. "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," Jessica W. explains about her experience.
Clean facilities: State-maintained parks feature regularly serviced restrooms and common areas. "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," notes Brittany W. about her stay at North-South Lake.
Multiple water features: Access to lakes, streams, and rivers provides diverse recreational options. According to Nancy K., Moreau Lake State Park offers "Nicely treed sites and cabins with a pretty lake. Hiking, biking, swimming, boat/canoe/paddleboard rentals."
Natural surroundings: Betty Brook Camp provides streamside sites with minimal development. "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," notes Robert B., describing the primitive setting popular with equestrian campers.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak summer months. "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," advises Tara L. about visiting North-South Lake Campground.
Horse camping protocols: Equestrian camping near Nassau requires proper manure management and designated staging areas for trailers. Sites may lack dedicated corrals, requiring portable containment systems.
Seasonal crowds: Moreau Lake State Park Campground experiences high visitor numbers during peak periods. "Campground and swimming area becomes very crowded, especially on holiday weekend due to proximity to I-87 and number of downstate tourists that frequent the park," Robert L. observes about seasonal patterns.
Limited services at dispersed sites: Some camping areas provide minimal amenities requiring self-sufficiency. "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. It's a small town, with just a gas station store," Peter explains about Betty Brook Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Multi-generational activities: North-South Lake Campground offers activities suitable for various ages. "Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all," shares Chris D., who revisted childhood memories with his own children.
Playground access: Several campgrounds include developed play areas near camping loops. "There is also a nice playground for kids to enjoy," Nancy W. notes about Moreau Lake State Park's family-friendly amenities.
Beach areas with supervision: Designated swimming areas with lifeguards operate during summer season. "Great family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," Becky G. comments about North-South Lake's appeal to families.
Shady campsites: Tree cover provides natural cooling during hot summer days. "Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed," observes Nancy W. about the comfortable environment at Moreau Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Moreau Lake State Park Campground requires careful navigation on some loops. "Our campsite was spacious but required some maneuvering to avoid scraping trees with our RV," Nancy W. explains about navigating larger vehicles through wooded campsites.
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer partial hookups only. "This is dry camping so there are no hook-ups but there are restrooms and shower," notes Nancy W. about Moreau Lake's services.
Loop selection matters: Different camping areas accommodate various vehicle sizes. "Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs," advises Nancy W., providing specific guidance for RV travelers.
Generator restrictions: Quiet hours strictly limit generator usage. "Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours," explains Nancy W. about noise management at Moreau Lake.
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