Best Equestrian Camping near Germantown, NY

Arcadian Pastures Equine, located near Germantown, New York, provides primitive camping options for riders seeking access to Catskill region trails. The rustic campground offers tent and RV sites with drive-in access and walk-in options. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit with firewood available for purchase. While the campground does not feature permanent horse corrals, riders can establish temporary containment using portable electric fencing or high-line systems. The campsites accommodate horse trailers with sufficient room for parking and setting up temporary paddocks. Trash collection is available on-site, though riders should note there are no dedicated horse wash stations or manure disposal facilities.

The trail system near Arcadian Pastures connects to several scenic routes through the Catskill Forest Preserve. Located approximately 50 miles from Germantown, North-South Lake Campground offers additional options for equestrians, though without specific horse facilities. Riders appreciate the access to multiple water sources with campsites positioned near creeks and lakes. Both campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during peak summer and fall riding seasons when foliage attracts more visitors. Riders should bring their own water buckets, feed storage containers, and manure management supplies. The natural terrain provides varied riding experiences with both gentle paths suitable for novice riders and more challenging trails for experienced equestrians. Weather conditions can significantly impact trail accessibility, especially after heavy rainfall.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Germantown, New York (5)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Germantown, NY

1 Photos of 5 Germantown Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Germantown, NY

47 Reviews of 5 Germantown 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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

  • Reneé Rose B.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    North-South Lake Campground

    A perfect visit

    The campground was active but not crowded. There is a variety of water sources with multiple camp sites abutting them. Each site is spacious and is tucked nicely into the woods giving optimal privacy. The sites do not have water or electricity but there’s a water tap nearby the sites. The sky is open and brilliant at night.


Guide to Germantown

Germantown's location in the northern Catskills provides camping options within a 50-mile radius, including destinations in both the eastern and western Catskill Mountain region. Elevations in this area range from approximately 200 feet near the Hudson River to over 3,000 feet in the nearby peaks. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with cooler evenings even during peak season.

What to do

Hiking extensive trail networks: North-South Lake Campground connects to multiple trail systems including the 23-mile Escarpment Trail. "The hiking here is phenomenal! Easy and walking distance from your site," notes Brian H. in his review of North-South Lake Campground.

Visit scenic waterfalls: Several falls are accessible via moderate hiking trails within a 15-mile radius. "We hiked to some waterfalls nearby which were very beautiful," shares Christy C. about her experience at North-South Lake. Kaaterskill Falls is approximately 2.5 miles from the campground.

Stream fishing opportunities: Betty Brook Camp offers direct access to streamside fishing. "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," explains Robert B. about Betty Brook Camp, noting its remote nature and year-round accessibility.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural barriers between camping spots. "Sites are tucked away in the trees for privacy. We set up our 6 person tent and two hammocks comfortably," reports Lena L. about her stay at North-South Lake Campground.

Community atmosphere: Established campgrounds often have regular return visitors. "Surrounded by many returning campers which gave the whole experience a good community vibe," notes Lena L. about North-South Lake. This creates a welcoming environment for first-time visitors.

Horse campgrounds near Germantown, New York: While limited in number, equestrian camping facilities can be found within 30 miles of Germantown. Though Arcadian Pastures Equine does not allow pets, they do provide firewood and trash disposal for overnight horse camping.

What you should know

Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Some campgrounds have limited or no facilities. "The bathrooms are well kept and were airways clean. Drinking water spouts readily available and close to most sites," reports Mele T. about North-South Lake, while primitive sites like Betty Brook lack restrooms entirely.

Seasonal closures affect accessibility: Most established campgrounds operate from May through October. "North-South Lake Campground was a blast. My family and I loved every second of it," shares Nadia V. about Country Campsites, where drinking water, electric hookups, and sewer connections are available during operating season.

Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," advises Tara L. regarding North-South Lake. Weekends in July and August often require reservations 3-6 months in advance.

Tips for camping with families

Lake swimming options: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. "We also enjoyed the lakes that were located within the campground. We found 2 different lakes," explains Nadia V. about her family's experience at North-South Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Germantown, 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 Germantown, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Germantown, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.