North-South Lake
Haines Falls, NY
Twin lakes with a campground and beach below the escarpment; a short walk leads to the site of the Catskill Mountain House and its famous view over the Hudson.
North-South Lake near Haines Falls in the Catskills, New York, is a mountain lake in the Catskill Forest Preserve with a campground and swimming beaches. It was originally two lakes divided by a dam, joined in the 1970s into a single lake of about 83 acres (34 hectares). The DEC campground offers 219 sites for tents and trailers in seven loops. There are two beaches; there are no lifeguards, so the DEC recommends swimming only in the designated areas. Motorboats are prohibited, while rowboats and canoes are allowed.
A short trail leads to the site of the Catskill Mountain House, which was built in 1823 at Pine Orchard, closed in 1940 and was torn down in 1963. The edge sits at about 2,250 feet (690 meters) elevation, roughly 1,700 feet (520 meters) above the valley, and on a clear day the view reaches five states. Longer hikes lead to Artist's Rock and Sunset Rock.
The campground has a dump station for trailers; the maximum equipment size depends on the site. According to the DEC it is open from May 15 to October 25 (as of October 2026), so the 2026 season has ended; check the dates for your trip in advance.
- Nearest town
- Haines Falls, NY
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.1985, -74.0385
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- North-South Lake CampgroundCampsite0 mi from North-South Lake
- Devil's Tombstone CampgroundCampsite9 mi from North-South Lake
- Kenneth L. Wilson CampgroundCampsite15 mi from North-South Lake
- Phoenicia Black Bear CampgroundCampsite16 mi from North-South Lake
- Woodland Valley CampgroundCampsite20 mi from North-South Lake
- Cold Spring LodgeCampsite23 mi from North-South LakeWi-Fi
All campsites in New York · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is North-South Lake?
North-South Lake is in Haines Falls, NY, at GPS 42.1985, -74.0385. It is about 9 mi from Catskill.
Can you camp near North-South Lake?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is North-South Lake Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 18 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass North-South Lake?
North-South Lake is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns.
What is there to see near North-South Lake?
Places worth a stop nearby: Kaaterskill Falls (1 mi), Olana State Historic Site (11 mi), Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt (30 mi) and Historic Huguenot Street (31 mi).
When is the best time to visit North-South Lake?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)