When city dwellers think of a summer water escape, the default move is to battle the traffic heading down the Garden State Parkway or out toward the beaches of Long Island.
But if you head exactly 2.5 hours north of Manhattan, you’ll find a massive high-altitude oasis where the ocean waves are replaced by glassy glacial waters and the boardwalk noise is swapped for whispering pines.
North-South Lake Campground and Day Use Area, tucked away in Haines Falls, New York, is the largest and most legendary state campground in the entire Catskill Forest Preserve.
Perched 2,250 feet above sea level at the top of a dramatic mountain escarpment, this stunning park connects two pristine lakes into a single, massive wilderness playground. For New Yorkers craving a cooling summer swim paired with dramatic cliffside hiking, it is the ultimate “anti-beach” sanctuary.
The Scenery: Two Alpine Lakes on a Historic Mountain Edge
The geography of North-South Lake is completely unique. The park sits directly on the edge of the Catskill Escarpment, where the mountains drop off sharply into the valley below.
- The Glacial Lakes: Originally two separate bodies of water divided by a narrow strip of land, the state removed the barrier and built a dam at the outlet of South Lake, creating one massive, continuous high-altitude waterway. The lakes are completely non-motorized, meaning the water stays clear, calm, and perfectly quiet.
- The Five-State View: A short hike from the water leads you to the sheer cliffs of the escarpment. On a crystal-clear day, the panoramic overlook is so vast that you can view five different states stretching out across the horizon.
- The Living History: The park’s grounds are deeply tied to the birthplace of American tourism. The campground encompasses iconic natural landmarks like Alligator Rock, the thundering tiers of Kaaterskill Falls, and the historic 19th-century site of the former Catskill Mountain House—a legendary Gilded Age resort that hosted presidents and artists before the state preserved the land in 1929.
How to Plan Your Escape: Tips, Cost, and Logistics
Securing a spot at this high-altitude paradise requires a bit of strategy, as its popularity grows among in-the-know travelers every summer.
- The Setup: The campground features 7 distinct loops with 219 tent and trailer sites, including 10 fully wheelchair-accessible campsites distributed across Loops 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7.
- The Cost: Camping fees are incredibly budget-friendly at just $22 per night for New York State residents (out-of-state residents pay a small additional surcharge of $5 per night).
- Booking Strategy: Camping reservations can be made up to 9 months in advance via ReserveAmerica. While same-day reservations are allowed online or over the phone until 5:00 PM on the day of arrival, traditional park walk-ins are strictly prohibited.
- The Season: The park officially opens its gates on May 15 and welcomes campers through October 25, making it just as spectacular for autumn foliage viewing as it is for summer swimming.
How to Get There from NYC
Escaping the city for the high country takes less time than a weekend trip to the outer tips of Long Island.
By Car
- GPS Note: If your mapping application struggles with Haines Falls, use Tannersville, NY 12485 as your alternate destination address.
- From the South (Manhattan/Brooklyn): Take the New York State Thruway (I-87) North to Exit 20 at Saugerties. Follow Route 32 North for approximately 6 miles, merge onto Route 32A, and take Route 23A West up the mountain into the village of Haines Falls. Make your first right turn in town onto County Route 18, and follow the road 2 miles straight to the campground gates.
