North-South Lake Campground sits at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet in the northeastern Catskill Mountains, providing cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The area features distinctive rock formations from the Devonian period and receives about 45 inches of annual precipitation. Camping sites throughout the region often require advance reservations during peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several campgrounds near Windham offer access to waterfall trails. North-South Lake Campground connects to popular waterfall hikes including Kaaterskill Falls. A recent visitor noted, "Kaaterskill falls, which is minutes down the road from the campground" is easily accessible according to Jessica W. The newly opened viewing platform provides safer viewing options.
Creek exploration: Many campsites feature access to mountain streams. At Woodland Valley Campground, creekside sites offer natural water features. According to Erica H., there's "water to play in right behind tent," while another camper, John N., describes "the mountain creek is like nature singing a lullaby - sleeping next to it was very relaxing."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations offer fishing access. Whip O Will Campsites features a seven-acre lake ideal for anglers. As GEORGE C. reports, the campground has a "nice fishing pond" with "full facilities" making it convenient for families who want to combine camping with fishing activities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Most reviewers specifically mention bathroom cleanliness as important. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, Katherine P. appreciated that "bathrooms were a bit of a hike, but they were clean and had plenty of signage." Another visitor noted, "The bathrooms were clean but sometimes ran out of toilet paper."
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently value space between sites. At North-South Lake Campground, Tara L. mentions "the sites are well spaced out," while Rachel G. describes it as a "clean and well run campground with beautiful lakes and surrounded by trails."
Swimming access: Multiple locations offer swimming options during summer months. A visitor to North-South Lake noted it's "One of my favorite swimming spots" and another added, "I go there almost every year to go swimming with my family and friends and it's always a good time."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. For North-South Lake, Rachel G. advises to "Reserve very early for waterfront" sites, which are typically booked months in advance.
Limited cell service: Many campsites have poor connectivity. At Woodland Valley Campground, John N. observes, "No mobile signal, but that's the point, isn't it? You get to disconnect from it all for a while." Another camper notes "Cell service is limited, but that wasn't a problem for us."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. Nicholas F. reported at Whip O Will, "We forgot to check the weather, and came in right before a thunderstorm. After the storm, the staff came out to check on us individually to make sure we were okay!"
Terrain considerations: Sites often feature varied terrain. At Devil's Tombstone, Sam L. notes, "Be aware the site is very rocky, so a sleeping pad or air mattress would be ideal." Yasmin S. adds that "The site is a decent size for your car, two tents, lawn chairs, and the site provided picnic table and fireplace."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Windham feature dedicated play areas. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds gets high marks from families, with one visitor noting there are "a few playgrounds a great pool and a lot of amenities." Holly P. describes it as a "fantastic little campground with lots of activities for kids."
Swimming options: Multiple locations provide water recreation. At Kenneth L Wilson Campground, Kyla B. mentioned they "have a lake on site with swimming" and on her visit, they "happened to spend the weekend on a day with free canoe/kayak rentals which was great!"
Farm animals: Some campgrounds offer unique animal interactions. At Brookside Camp Grounds, David R. discovered a "Small farm right next to our site, goats, cow chickens, ducks, geese," while michael A. reports, "They have animals the kids can go check out."
Tips for RVers
Site selection: RV-friendly campgrounds vary in site quality and size. At Country Roads Campground, Tom R. notes their sites in "The Pines section" are "spacious" with "super friendly and helpful staff."
Hookup availability: Utility connections differ between parks. North-South Lake offers electric hookups and a sanitary dump station, while some smaller campgrounds have limited services. William R. observes that Country Roads is "Mainly an RV ground" with "water spigots near all the tent sites."
Escort service: Some campgrounds provide arrival assistance. Philip M. appreciated at Country Roads that "We were escorted to our site upon arrival and I certainly appreciated that as we were very tired after a long day of travel."
Guide
