North-South Lake Campground features two connected lakes in the Catskill Forest Preserve at 2,000 feet elevation. Located about 24 miles from Roxbury, New York, the campground offers access to multiple trails along the Catskill Escarpment with views of the Hudson Valley. Winter temperatures in the region regularly drop below freezing, with summer highs averaging in the mid-70s.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: North-South Lake Campground provides access to Kaaterskill Falls, which is "minutes down the road from the campground" according to Jessica W., who adds that "the hiking nearby is also relatively easy and includes the newly opened (as of 2016) viewing platform." Brittany W. confirms, "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot."
Fishing in remote areas: Betty Brook Camp offers stream fishing in a quiet setting. "You camp on the stream," reports Robert B., who has "been coming to the area for a couple of decades." For pond fishing, Bear Spring Mountain has options for anglers. J G. notes you can "rent a paddle boat or kayak to go out on the water" for fishing access.
Trail riding: While Arcadian Pastures Equine caters specifically to equestrians near Roxbury, Bear Spring Mountain also accommodates horse enthusiasts with dedicated trails. Amber A. observed "a lot of horse activity" during her visit, making it a good alternative for equestrian camping in the Catskills region.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Betty Brook Camp offers isolation for those seeking quiet. "Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone," writes Robert B. Peter adds that "it's rather remote, but it is right along West kill road" with "a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away."
Swimming opportunities: The lakes at North-South Lake Campground are popular for summer recreation. Lizz H. calls it "one of my favorite swimming spots" where she goes "almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends." Chris D. reminisces about "camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all."
Clean facilities: Visitors frequently mention the maintenance standards at North-South Lake. Eliany L. found "great restrooms cleaned every morning" and "staff was very friendly," while Jessica W. notes "bathrooms & beach areas are always clean." At Bear Spring Mountain, campsites are described as "clean, private, and quiet" by Amanda P.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: North-South Lake Campground is extremely popular, especially for waterfront sites. Rachel G. advises to "reserve very early for waterfront" spots at this "clean and well run campground." The campground operates seasonally "from May 19 to October 22."
Crowds vary by season: Popular campgrounds like North-South Lake can get busy during peak times. Maribeth W. notes it's "always packed, but always beautiful," while Tara L. suggests visitors "avoid holidays to avoid the crowds" at "one of the larger public camp grounds in New York."
Limited amenities at dispersed sites: At Betty Brook Camp, expect minimal facilities. Peter cautions, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: North-South Lake Campground offers diverse recreation options for all ages. Becky G. calls it a "large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking." Chris D. shares his experience: "I've recently started going there again with my own family and it's great to see them take the same enjoyment I did."
Playground access: Bear Spring Mountain includes a playground area for younger campers. Becky S. mentions the "small playground was nice for the kids" during their stay, providing an activity option beyond hiking and fishing.
Site selection considerations: When camping with families at North-South Lake, Tara L. notes "the sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge." This spacing provides privacy and room for children to play safely.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate large rigs. Peter from Betty Brook Camp cautions that "the site is fairly small" and would "not recommend this for large trailers." Consider North-South Lake which is marked as "big-rig-friendly" with electric hookups.
Hookup availability: Bear Spring Mountain offers comprehensive RV services including "electric-hookups," "water-hookups," "sewer-hookups," and a "sanitary-dump" station. Kevin T. describes it as "one of the more fancy campsites and is definitely worth it for only 18 dollars."
Road conditions: The terrain around Roxbury presents challenges for RVers. Becky S. from Bear Spring Mountain mentions "the roads were way too steep" for biking, which suggests careful driving for larger vehicles is necessary in the area.
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