North-South Lake Campground provides extensive lakefront camping in the eastern Catskills with elevation ranges from 2,000 to 2,250 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures compared to surrounding lowlands. The campground covers 1,100 acres with two connected lakes forming a 53-acre waterbody that serves as the centerpiece for camping activities. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, with several waterfront options requiring early reservations.
What to do
Swimming access: North-South Lake Campground features multiple swimming areas with designated beaches that attract families 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 visited the campground.
Hiking variety: The area surrounding West Hurley offers trails ranging from easy lake loops to challenging mountain ascents. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot. We had a wonderful weekend there," reports Brittany W. about North-South Lake Campground.
Creek exploration: Several campgrounds feature stream access for water play and wildlife observation. "The creek that runs by the campground is gorgeous, and my kids had fun finding Crayfish," shares Kasey M. about her experience at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley.
Seasonal activities: Catskill campgrounds operate primarily from mid-May through mid-October with peak foliage occurring late September to mid-October. "We spent two separate weekends at this campground; one during October and the other during early May. Camping here during October was, by far, better. The foliage was turned to all hues of orange, yellow, green, and red," reports Larissa C.
What campers like
Peaceful setting: Campers consistently note the tranquility found at sites away from main roads. "This is a very nice wooded campground. 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!" shares C R. about Catskill/Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high on camper satisfaction reports. "The ladies that run this campground are absolute queens and were so nice and helpful. The bathrooms were very clean and new and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!!" reports Melanie H.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generously sized sites with good separation. "Large and heavily wooded! Enjoyed our stay even on a busy weekend. They have a lake on site with swimming," notes Kyla B.
Natural water features: Streams, ponds and lakes enhance the camping experience across multiple locations. "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean to with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails," explains James A. about Echo Lake.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G. about waterfront sites at North-South Lake Campground.
Cell coverage limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no mobile service. "Although No cell service site was nice. Was our first shakedown camping trip. Very nice (clean) bathrooms and showers. Private level site surrounded by trees," reports Daniel L. about Kenneth L Wilson Campground.
Weather preparation: Mountain locations experience significant temperature drops after sunset even in summer months. "When i came I was really impressed with the improvements they made here. I haven't came her in 3 years and it looks better than ever. They constructed a really nice fishing pier," shares Phillip L.
Pet documentation: Woodland Valley Campground and other dog friendly campgrounds near West Hurley require proper vaccination records. "NY has some strict requirements about proof of rabies vaccination for dogs, so make sure to read the requirements," advises Sam L.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused amenities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's activities and facilities. "This place is great for kids or diverse groups that all want to do different things. It's very family themed and fun for everyone. However, it can end up being as crowded as an amusement park depending on when you go," notes Carrie J. about Jellystone Park Gardiner.
Water recreation options: Lakes and streams provide natural play areas. "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," advises Tara L.
Camp store access: Many campgrounds maintain stores with essential supplies. "They have a camp store at the front of the property and it's stocked with basically anything you could think of needing including charcoal, ice, firewood among other camp items," reports Derek W. about Blue Mountain Reservation.
Noise considerations: Family-oriented campgrounds may have higher activity levels. "We LOVED our site (site 9). It was absolutely massive! Though it was totally private on one side, we could see our neighbors in site 10 on the other but they weren't very close to us," explains C R.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many pet friendly campgrounds offer varied RV site options. "We had a 3-day weekend tent camping at This site from July 24-26 2020, at site 58 on Loop C. It was almost completely full that weekend, with a bit of coming and going. Campsites are fairly close together with a variety of levels of privacy," shares Katherine P.
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary across campgrounds. "As part of the Thousand Trails group, this campground has many amenities. It offers a pool, playground, and activities that include bocce ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. We loved our full hookup site minus the neighbors' weekend ragers," reports Kasey M.
Size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "We had a VW Westfalia, which we had no trouble pulling into our site. If we had something bigger, it might have been an issue," warns Sam L. about Devil's Tombstone Campground.
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