North-South Lake Campground operates from May 19 to October 22 in the Catskill region near Willow, New York. The campground sits at an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet with terrain characterized by rocky outcroppings and dense hardwood forests. Equestrian camping options near Willow range from primitive to full-service facilities, allowing trail riders to extend their explorations of the region.
What to do
Hiking trails access: North-South Lake Campground connects to extensive trail networks including the Escarpment Trail with views of the Hudson Valley. "A lot of 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," notes Jessica W.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can fish at Betty Brook Camp where stream access provides seasonal trout fishing. "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," explains Robert B., who has been visiting the area for decades.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating are popular summer activities at several locations. "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 Campground.
What campers like
Natural water sources: The region features clean mountain streams and lakes. "Nothing but woods all around! Endless hiking and beautiful steams - you can drink straight from the pipes!" says Kimberly S. about Bear Spring Mountain — DEC.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites for privacy. "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," reports Tara L.
Seasonal flexibility: Some dispersed camping areas remain accessible year-round. "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," mentions Robert B. about Betty Brook Camp.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for prime locations. "Reserve very early for waterfront," advises Rachel G. about North-South Lake Campground.
Crowd management: Holiday periods bring significantly more visitors to established campgrounds. "Avoid holidays to avoid the crowds," suggests Tara L. regarding North-South Lake.
Access limitations: Some horse-friendly sites have restrictions on vehicle size. "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," notes Peter about Betty Brook Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Several campgrounds cater to families with varied outdoor experience levels. "Large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking," says Becky G. about North-South Lake Campground.
Multigenerational appeal: The region offers activities suitable for various age groups. "I'm a native of the Catskills and spent many an afternoon with my family enjoying the facilities at North/South Lake. I've recently started going there again with my own family and it's great to see them take the same enjoyment I did," shares Chris D.
Playground access: Some facilities include recreational structures for children. "Small playground was nice for the kids," mentions Becky S. about Bear Spring Mountain — DEC.
Tips from RVers
Road gradient considerations: The mountainous terrain can present challenges for larger vehicles. "Brought bikes but the roads were way too steep," notes Becky S. about Bear Spring Mountain.
Site selection strategy: For equestrian campers with RVs, request locations away from horse facilities if preferred. "There are two areas for camping, check out both though one smells kind of like a barn," advises Amber A. about Bear Spring Mountain.
Hookup availability: Some equestrian campgrounds near Willow offer full service connections. "Clean, private, and quiet! We had a blast!!" reports Amanda P. about Bear Spring Mountain, which provides electric, water and sewer hookups for RVs.
Legend
