North-South Lake Campground provides lakeside recreation in the eastern Catskills at 2,200 feet elevation. The region features mountainous terrain with steep trails and rocky outcroppings characteristic of the Catskill Mountain range. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day with significant cooling at night, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop into the 30s after sunset.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: Several trails depart directly from North-South Lake Campground connecting to the Catskill Escarpment Trail with panoramic Hudson Valley views. "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. A lot of the hiking nearby is also relatively easy," notes Jessica W.
Swimming opportunities: The twin lakes at North-South Lake offer designated swimming areas with lifeguards typically present from late June through Labor Day. "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time," shares Lizz H. Most swimming areas open at 10am and close at 6pm during peak season.
Creek exploration: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds features access to Plattekill Creek where campers can wade and cool off. "We took our chairs and plopped down in the water. No grill on the fire pit. Still very beautiful!" reports Kyla B. The creek access points are located near the "Lover's Lane" loop which is designated for couples only.
Historic sites: Mills Norrie State Park Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring Hudson Valley historic attractions including the Roosevelt Presidential Library and Vanderbilt House. "The campground and state park is in a beautiful part of the country - the Hudson River Valley - with a good location for visiting the towns, villages and hamlets on the valley," explains Kathy L.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers secluded camping with significant tree cover between most sites. "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins. Some sites are close together, but there are a few a little more secluded and set back," reports Mary-Kate L.
Reliable facilities: Woodland Valley Campground maintains clean bathrooms and free hot showers that remain operational throughout the camping season. "The rangers were very friendly and helpful, and the facilities were in good shape (free hot showers!)," notes Gary G. The campground provides quick access to numerous popular Catskill hikes including Hunter, Slide, and Plateau Rock.
Spacious campsites: Many sites at Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground provide ample room for multiple tents and vehicles. "We LOVED our site (site 9). It was absolutely massive! The photo doesn't do it justice. It was set back very far from the main road and was an extremely large site!" reports C R. The campground maintains flat, dirt sites rather than gravel, creating comfortable tent platforms.
What you should know
Bear activity: Proper food storage is mandatory in all Catskills campgrounds to prevent bear encounters. "It was the wildest weekend I ever had, I'm not being sarcastic. The hiking areas are great, the weather is perfect and the bear was very nice for a bear," reports Kane B. about their experience at Kenneth L Wilson Campground. Most established campgrounds provide metal food lockers at each site.
Limited cell coverage: Most campgrounds in the region have minimal to no cell service. "There was no cell service in the campground," notes C R. about Kenneth L Wilson Campground. Devil's Tombstone Campground similarly has "NO cell service here. You have to drive about 5 minutes towards Hunter to get service," according to Sam L.
Reservation timing: The most popular pet-friendly campgrounds near Saugerties fill quickly, especially waterfront sites. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G. about North-South Lake Campground. Most Catskill campgrounds open reservations 9 months in advance through ReserveAmerica.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Brookside Campground provides numerous recreational options for children. "I went last year with my kids they loved the arcade small but it's a camp ground the playground area was nice... They have animals the kids can go check out. The pool is nice and they offer fun activists for the kids as well," shares Michael A.
Swimming options: North-South Lake Campground offers supervised swimming areas ideal for families with children of all ages. "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," explains Tara L. Swimming areas typically include shallow sections with gradual entry points suitable for younger children.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds organize ranger-led programs focusing on local wildlife and ecology. "This campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there," shares Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground's proximity to natural attractions like Kaaterskill Falls, which offers educational signage about local geology and history.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds provides level full-hookup sites suitable for larger RVs. "Very easy to level and setup on #7. Full connections. Pay showers and laundry onsite. Loved having gated security," notes C O. The campground accommodates rigs up to 45 feet with 30/50 amp service available.
Dump station availability: Many state campgrounds offer dump stations but limited sewer hookups at individual sites. "The facilities are in good shape," reports Gary G. about Woodland Valley Campground. Most dump stations remain open throughout the camping season, though some close during winter months.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads that can prove difficult for larger rigs. "The long, narrow, and winding road from Route 28 to Woodland Valley campground should not keep you from camping there!" encourages Gary G. Extra caution should be taken when navigating campground loops, as many feature tight turns and low-hanging branches.
