North-South Lake Campground and Day Use Area

• Dates of Operation:
  • Opening Date: May 17
  • Closing Date: October 27
• Camping Fee: $22 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
• Address: County Route 18, Haines Falls, NY 12436 (Alternate for GPS Tannersville, NY 12485) (directions below)
• County: Greene
• GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 42 12 05.48938N 074 03 22.19227W
• Campground Phone: (518) 589-5058
• Regional Office Phone: (607) 652-2032
• Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
• Map: North-South Lake Campground and Day Use Area Map (PDF)

Firewood Restriction Map (PDF) shows the 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. Help prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases by following New York's firewood regulation.

North-South Lake is the biggest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, offering extraordinary scenic beauty, and historical sites, such as: Alligator Rock, Kaaterskill Falls, and the former site of the Catskill Mountain House. An abrupt change in elevation occurs from about 540 feet above sea level at the base of the escarpment to approximately 2,250 feet at the site of the former Catskill Mountain House. The provinces around the lakes have long provided visitors with exceptional views of the surrounding countryside. It is said that on a clear day, five states can be viewed from the escarpment.

Amenities

7 camping loops; 219 tent and trailer sites; 2 lakes; 2 beaches; Two picnic areas: one on North Lake with two picnic pavilion rentals a 20' X 32' and a 44' X 24' (the larger of the two with electricity) and one on South Lake with a 40' X 60' picnic pavilion rental (with electricity).; 2 picnic areas with tables and fireplaces or charcoal grills; playground; flush toilets; hot showers; boat launch (no motorized vessels); rowboat, canoe, kayak and standup paddleboard rentals; volleyball; horseshoes; fishing; playing field; trailer dump station; recycling center; solar cell phone charging station; fishing platform.

Family Sites

Family sites are larger than typical campsites and can usually accommodate up to 12 people, four vehicles, four tents or two hard-wheeled equipment, or one hard-wheeled equipment and two tents. Maximum equipment size and site-specific limitations are listed with the site details. Sites also have up to two picnic tables and two fireplaces/fire rings.

Accessible Features

In the day use area at South Lake, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Hand boat launch with dock and kayak slide; 
• Boat rental facilities;
• Picnic pavilion;
• Beach access route; and
• Changing rooms

In the day use area at North Lake, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Fishing/viewing platform; 
• Picnic Pavilions;
• Beach access route;
• Changing rooms; and
• Shower building near playground

In the camping area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Ten accessible campsites (Sites: 45, 47, 48, 50, 142, 154, 183, 185, 195, 198); and
• Five shower buildings in Loops 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities including a full listing of Accessible Features at DEC Campgrounds and Day Use Areas.

Campsite Restoration Project

This campground has sites that have been selected for restoration. While undergoing restoration the chosen sites will be closed. For the list of sites and more information on the project visit the Campsite Restoration Project page.

Directions

From South: NYS Thruway (I-87) Exit 20 at Saugerties. Follow Rte. 32 north for approximately 6 miles to Rte. 32A to Rte. 23A west. Stay on Rte. 23A to the village of Haines Falls. Make first right turn in Haines Falls onto County Rte. 18, campground entrance is 2 miles to the end of the road.

From North: NYS Thruway (I-87) Exit 21 at Catskill. Left on Rte. 23 east to Rte. 9W south. Follow Rte. 9W through Catskill to Rte. 23A. Follow 23A west to Haines Falls. Make first right turn in Haines Falls onto County Rte. 18, campground entrance is 2 miles to end of the road.

Get driving directions from Google Maps

Planning and Management

The Amendment to the 1998 Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF, 1.37MB) for the campground proposes infrastructure and accessibility improvements centered around the beach and day use area at North Lake.

For more information regarding the UMP for this facility please contact the Bureau of Recreation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY12233, Telephone 518 457-2500, and email for campground information

Additional Information

Area Attractions

Hunter Mountain, 10 miles away, offers ethnic festivals throughout the summer season with the sky ride operating to the summit of the ski center. Local villages provide restaurants, shops, antique shops, and a movie theater. Tubing, go-carts, miniature golf, and a number of golf courses and horseback riding facilities are located within easy driving distance.

Historic Interest

North Lake Campground was first developed on Catskill Forest Preserve Land in 1929. At that time, there were two separate lakes with an earthen dam between them. The campground was constructed on North Lake only, as South Lake and the land east of the present North Lake beach were privately owned. The original campground consisted of 10 sites and a small picnic area. In 1933, the campground was expanded to 43 sites and the picnic area was enlarged. In 1936, the beach at North Lake was constructed. During the late 1960's and 1970's, the campground was again expanded, reaching its present level of 219 sites in 1972. With the purchase of South Lake, a second day-use area was completed in 1984. The narrow isthmus between the lakes was removed and a dam was built at the outlet of South Lake to create one large lake.

Junior Naturalist Program

Our campgrounds become an outdoor classroom for young children (5-13) and their families. Enjoy games and activities to earn a beautiful embroidered patch.