North-South Lake Intensive Use Area
Get Directions
Park Overview:
The campground area offers access to numerous hiking trails, including a short hike with incredible vistas to the site of the Catskill Mountain House and longer, more strenuous hikes with equally spectacular views.
Park Description:
North/South Lake, the largest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, consists of 7 camping loop roads containing 219 tent and trailer sites. It is also a striking destination for hikers who wish to experience the extraordinary scenic beauty, exceptional views of the surrounding countryside, and historic sites. 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.
Click for a description of the broader Northeastern Catskill region
Trails Overview:
The Trail Conference’s “Northeastern Catskill Trails” (Map 141) contains a detailed insert of the North Lake Area. One of the most popular loop hikes in the area includes the southeast section of the Escarpment Trail. It offers viewpoints with such names as Sunset Rock, Inspiration Point, Boulder Rock, Artists Rock and Newmans Lodge. The hike also passes near the Kaaterskill Hotel Site and to the Catskill Mountain House, both on South Mountain and both long abandoned, with side trails to Lookout Rock and Sunset Rock.
- The Escarpment Trail (blue blaze, TC Map 141 insert grid P4/P2, trail designation ES). Park on Scutt (Schutt) Road, south of County Route 18 (North Lake Road), just before the campground gatehouse. Hike southward, parallel to Scutt Road (blue blaze). Another trailhead for the Escarpment Trail is within the campground on the eastern edge of North Lake (fees are charged seasonally; for hikers campground is day use only; access road is closed during the winter).
- For descriptions of moderate loop hikes about 5 miles long click here (Trail Conference hike) or here (Catskill Mountaineer hike)
- For a more strenuous 10-mile Trail Conference loop hike click here.
Segments of the Long Path pass through the North Lake Area from its southeast corner just beyond the Catskill Park Boundary and Route 23A, ultimately becoming co-aligned with the Escarpment Trail passing by North Lake and continuing to North Point viewpoint and beyond. Details -- including a trail description, driving directions, and trailhead parking – are here for Long Path Sections 23 and 24.
Click to view a list of all hikes in Catskill Park on the Trail Conference web.
Park Acreage:
1100.00 acresMunicipality:
Haines FallsThe campground area offers access to numerous hiking trails, including a short hike with incredible vistas to the site of the Catskill Mountain House and longer, more strenuous hikes with equally spectacular views.
North/South Lake, the largest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, consists of 7 camping loop roads containing 219 tent and trailer sites. It is also a striking destination for hikers who wish to experience the extraordinary scenic beauty, exceptional views of the surrounding countryside, and historic sites. An abrupt change in elevation occurs from about 540...
Park Acreage:
1100.00 acresMunicipality:
Haines FallsContact Information
Web Link:
DEC Campgrounds: North/South LakePhone:
(518) 589-5058Fees:
Some times and places; check with parkDogs in park:
Contact park
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 20 (Saugerties). Beyond the toll booths, turn left at the traffic light, cross over the Thruway, then turn right onto Route 32 North. Follow Route 32 for 6.0 miles, and then continue ahead on Route 32A. In 1.9 miles, turn left onto Route 23A and follow it up Kaaterskill Clove. At the top of the climb, in the Village of Haines Falls, turn right onto North Lake Road. In 2.1 miles, turn right onto Scutt (Schutt) Road and follow it for 200 feet to a parking area on the right. GPS: 42.200662,-74.058473
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not availableShare Your Experience
Support the trails with a donation!