Best Equestrian Camping near Saugerties, NY

North-South Lake Campground allows horses on many of its hiking trails throughout the Catskills region. The campground provides 219 campsites across seven camping loops with both lakefront and wooded options. While the campground itself does not feature dedicated horse corrals or equine-specific camping facilities, riders often use this location as a base camp for exploring the extensive trail system. The campground maintains clean restrooms with hot showers, potable water stations, and fire rings with grill grates at each site. Campsites accommodate both tent and RV camping with some sites large enough for horse trailers, though advance arrangements are necessary.

Trails near the campground connect to the larger Catskill Mountain trail network suitable for day rides. The North-South Lake area serves as a trailhead for multiple hiking paths that permit horses, including access to the historic Escarpment Trail. Riders should note that trail conditions can be rocky and steep in sections, requiring horses with good conditioning and proper hoof protection. Water access for horses is available at the lakes, though drinking water for animals must be brought in or filtered. The campground operates seasonally from May through October, with peak horse riding conditions in early summer and fall when temperatures are moderate and trails are typically dry. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for groups with multiple horses or those requiring larger parking areas for trailers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Saugerties, New York (4)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Saugerties, NY

1 Photos of 4 Saugerties Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Saugerties, NY

47 Reviews of 4 Saugerties Campgrounds


  • Cynthia K.
    Aug. 29, 2024

    North-South Lake Campground

    New York

    We were on a 5 state East Coast camping trip. Our first campground was in New York Aug 8th. Unfortunately, Debbie was socking New York hard. North South Lake Campground in the Catskills was our camping home. Thursday & Friday it was Neverending rain & wind. Saturday was the nice day.

    North South Lake has no electricity. The sites are almost all beautiful, tucked in under shady trees. Not a good way to try out our solar panel! Some are by a stream. A few are by the lake. This is a tent campers paradise. New York tent campers are hard core camping during Tropical Storm Debbie!

     There are 7 loops. We were in loop 2. Site 85. There are some sites with an incline down to the site. That might give some rvs trouble. It did for us & I had to be driven out of the campground to call 911. Thank you Mary!! It all ended well & we got a different site.

     There are bears that visit the campground & one came one of the nights & visited our camping neighbor's site. They showed us a picture- it was a large black bear. 

    Generators are allowed for 5 hours & they tell you when you can use them. 

    The bathrooms/showers are state park clean- which means not very.

     There is NO cell service & just forget about WiFi. You are unplugged.

    This is a hiking park & for this middle aged overweight flatlander they are pretty strenuous. Kaaterskill Falls is an exception - short, easy trail, but the parking fills up quickly. Then they close it! You'll have to take a shuttle to get in.

    The trail to the Mountain House Site is also pretty easy, with more of an incline.

    There's 2 nice lakes with beaches. 

    The Catskills are very scenic& we enjoyed our time there!

  • Tara L.
    May. 21, 2018

    North-South Lake Campground

    NYS camping.

    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.

  • nThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    North-South Lake Campground

    Beautiful grounds but…

    Gorgeous campgrounds, friendly staff, and spectacular facilities. Loved that trailheads are walking distance from the sites. But we felt very close to campers next to us, not a lot of shrubbery between sites to feel somewhat private. Fire pits are very nice but more catered to cooking instead of being able to sit around in a circle. Also, we picked a site hoping we’d have a nice view of the lake but it’s hard to see from the site and a good walk away. Overall, beautiful grounds but I’d take less facilities to have a more “woodsy” vibe but that’s just my preference!

  • Lena L.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    North-South Lake Campground

    Family friendly

    Had a great time at this campground- surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe. Ice cream truck comes around each evening in the summer. Sites are tucked away in the trees for privacy. We set up our 6 person tent and two hammocks comfortably. Long walk to the beach from our site but enjoyable anyway. Nice little hiking trails nearby.

  • R
    Aug. 26, 2018

    North-South Lake Campground

    Love this place

    The sites are spacious and private and there are lake side sites available too. Perfect for groups!! We were able to maximize our lake experience by bringing an inflatable kayak. I was able to explore many different parts of the lake and do a decent amount of fishing. There were a few hiking trails walking distance of the campground that were fun to explore. We will def come back!!

  • M
    Jul. 3, 2019

    North-South Lake Campground

    Great family campground

    This place is enormous. This is a NYS park run by DEC. They are very strict with quite hours which are from 10pm to 7am. The had a truck come around many times after 10pm to make sure everyone was quite. This is a great spot for young kids. I was warned about high black bear activity in the region and even had to sign a waiver acknowledging their presence and all the rules associated.

    Each site had a fire pit with a grill on top of it and a picnic table. Sites are very close together but that didn’t bother me. There are bathrooms and showers, both very clean in every loop. Attached to the bathroom area is a large sink to wash dishes.

    The north lake is under construction so there is not beach front there. Beware of staying in Loop 6 as you will probably hear the construction noises.

    The north lake does however have a nice path alongside it and a spot to deploy a non motorized boat.

    No cell service anywhere in the park or close by.

    I highly recommend staying here.

  • L
    Jun. 24, 2022

    North-South Lake Campground

    Lake, creek and waterfalls!

    Beautiful. Our site had a creek close behind it and only a short walk to the lake. We were there in middle of the week and it was very quiet. Most sites a shady and private. Loved it, hope to visit again sometime.

  • Brian H.
    Aug. 31, 2016

    North-South Lake Campground

    camp here if you love hiking

    the hiking here is phenomenal! easy and walking distance from your site

  • Nadia V.
    Aug. 30, 2016

    North-South Lake Campground

    Had so much fun-Can't wait to come back!

    North-South Lake Campground was a blast. My family and I loved every second of it. We enjoyed some beautiful hikes- one that lead to a rock that they call "alligator rock" which obviously looked like an alligator. This same hike took us around some other pretty cool sites as well. It was really nice to get away from the busy city and come here to escape the busyness. North South Lake is located within the Catskill Forest Preserve and I was told that this is the largest campsite available. I believe them because we did get lost once we were in the park, trying to find our camping spot. I would recommend downloading or asking for a campground map before going so you know exactly where your campsite is. We also enjoyed the lakes that were located within the campground. We found 2 different lakes, but not sure if there are more. We also did some hiking (to Alligator Rock). One hike that I really enjoyed was Kaaterskill Falls- This was absolutely gorgeous and the views were amazing. We did some research prior to coming, and from this hike you are able to see 5 different states from the top of this hike. We went on a beautiful, clear day so we were able to see miles ahead of us. Other activities you can do are boat, fish, and swim at the beaches. This campground literally has everything you could want in a campground and more! I would recommend coming here, and would give this North-South Lake a 10/10, A+++


Guide to Saugerties

North-South Lake Campground provides recreational options for equestrian visitors in the Catskill Mountains, approximately 20 miles west of Saugerties. The area features elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,250 feet, creating varied terrain for horse riding. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F to 75°F, with cooler conditions in spring and fall when many equestrians prefer to visit.

What to do

Trail riding with horses: The Catskill Forest Preserve surrounding North-South Lake Campground offers multiple trails where horses are permitted. "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., highlighting the convenient access to nearby attractions.

Swimming after rides: Cool off with your family in the lakes after a day on horseback. "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 North-South Lake's swimming areas, which provide refreshment during summer months.

Explore historic trails: Equestrians can access parts of the historic Escarpment Trail system and ride near the site of the former Catskill Mountain House, offering views of the Hudson Valley. "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," mentions Jessica W.

What campers like

Well-maintained facilities: Betty Brook Camp provides a more rustic alternative for equestrians seeking fewer crowds. "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," reports Robert B., describing the peaceful environment horse owners often prefer.

Family-friendly atmosphere: The campgrounds welcome riders of all ages and experience levels. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," according to Becky G., mentioning the diverse activities available between trail rides.

Seasonal flexibility: The region offers different riding experiences throughout the camping season. "Been there couple of times. Love it. Two lakes. Highly recommended," shares Luka M. about North-South Lake, where the dual lakes provide water access for horses during hot summer days.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Secure your campsite well in advance, especially for holidays and weekends when bringing horses. "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," advises Tara L., noting that Artisan Hill Farm & Studio can be an alternative with its reservable sites when the main campgrounds fill up.

Trailer parking limitations: Not all sites accommodate horse trailers, so confirm space availability when booking. "I'm a native of the Catskills and spent many an afternoon with my family enjoying the facilities at North/South Lake. Camping, swimming, hiking, boating, biking, this place has it all," says Chris D., though equestrians need to verify trailer access.

Trail conditions: Rocky sections require horses with good footing and potentially shoes or boots. "The restrooms were clean and had showers, which we did not expect," mentions Brittany W., but riders should note that trail facilities are more primitive than campground amenities.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites away from busy areas: Select camping areas where horses won't be disturbed by high traffic. "The sites are well spaced out. Great for families. The lake is huge," notes Tara L. about Country Campsites, which offers more seclusion for equestrian families.

Plan shorter rides for children: Novice riders should start with the flatter trails near the lakes before attempting steeper terrain. "This campsite is by far my favorite in the Catskills! Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable," says Jessica W., mentioning staff who can recommend appropriate trails.

Bring extra water containers: Pack additional water for horses, as natural water sources may be limited on trails. "Clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails. perfect Hudson getaway," shares Rachel G., though water access points specifically for horses are limited.

Tips from RVers

Measure access roads beforehand: Some campground roads have tight turns that challenge larger rigs with horse trailers. "This campground has many different size sites big enough for groups and small for just single. Great place to camp," explains Eliany L. about North-South Lake Campground, highlighting the variety of site sizes.

Reserve pull-through sites: Request specific sites that allow easy access with horse trailers when available. "I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small," cautions Peter about Betty Brook Camp, suggesting equestrians with large trailers choose alternative locations.

Check seasonal road conditions: Spring thaw can create muddy access roads unsuitable for heavy rigs with horse trailers. "Always packed, but always beautiful. Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here," mentions Maribeth W., indicating the popularity that can make maneuvering large equestrian setups challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Saugerties, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Saugerties, NY is North-South Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 43 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Saugerties, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Saugerties, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.