New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the completion of improvements to the North-South Lake Campground and Day Use Area in Greene County, which include improvements to the campground’s accessibility and sustainability. The completion of these projects were announced during a formal ribbon cutting ceremony by DEC Regional Director Keith Goertz. The improvements support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Adventure NY initiative to connect more New Yorkers with the outdoors.

“The North-South Lake Campground and Day Use area has been a majestic escape for the public for more than 80 years. The improvements announced today continue our efforts to expand recreational opportunities for people of all abilities,” Commissioner Seggos said.  “These upgrades, supported by Governor Cuomo’s Adventure NY Initiative, are designed to better serve everyone who wants to enjoy New York’s great outdoors.”

NYS Senator George Amedore said, “The improvements at North/South Lake will allow this beautiful natural resource to be enjoyed by even more residents and visitors. Significant infrastructure improvements, along with new amenities and conveniences for park-goers, will make this an even more attractive destination for Greene County and residents to enjoy outdoor recreational activities.”

NYS Assemblyman Chris Tague said, “I am ecstatic to see this grant being given to the North-South Lake Campground.  The natural beauty of the mountains here is one of the nation’s treasures, and as a member of the Tourism Committee, I always fight to invest in them.  North-South Lake is an example of the gorgeous aesthetic of our home.  I can’t wait to see the improvements that get made to the campground.”

DEC designed and constructed significant infrastructure improvements in the North Lake Beach area of the facility at a total project cost of $366,348. Funding for the infrastructure improvements was provided through NY Works and the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. Highlights of the improvements include:

Beach and day use area

Accessible Features:

Fishing platform;

• New picnic tables and grills;
• Solar cell phone charging station;
• Benches along sidewalk and beach area;
• 400 feet of sidewalks along beach;
• Ramp to beach;
• Boardwalk to water;
• New drinking water fountain;
• Outside shower/foot wash station;
• Pavilion with Nature Recreation Program area;
• Camper-friendly changing rooms and new lifeguard office; and
• Parking lot crosswalk island to enhance pedestrian safety.

Additional Improvements:

• New 10-spot bike rack;
• 500 tons of new beach sand;
• Demo lifeguard cabin;
• Stainless steel hand rails;
• Improved facility signage;
• Parking lot striping and sealing;
• Pollinator gardens;
• New cedar shake roof and concrete floor for the pavilion;
• Relocated force main from the pavilion to the lift station;
• Rebuilding two stairways wrapped in locally sourced blue stone, maintaining historical integrity;
• Stone wall rehabilitation utilizing existing stone walls to maintain the character of the Catskills;
• Relocated water lines and spigots; and
• Significant improvements in stormwater management throughout the North Lake Beach area. 

Entrance booth

• New information kiosk and pollinator garden at the booth. 

Camping areas

• Paving loop 7 and service road;
• Accessible trail rehabilitation from the loop 6 trail to the pavilion;
• Drainage improvements and new accessible parking; and
• Mary’s Glen Bridge rehabilitation, including new stone headwalls.

North-South Lake Campground opened in 1926 and is one of the most heavily used DEC campgrounds. Located two miles northeast of the hamlet of Haines Falls on County Route 18, the campground is on the eastern edge of the Catskill escarpment in the Catskill Forest Preserve and is home to historic sites such as the Catskill Mountain House and Sunset Rock. 

Under Governor Cuomo's Adventure NY initiative, DEC is making strategic investments to expand access to healthy, active outdoor recreation, connect more New Yorkers and visitors to nature and the outdoors, protect natural resources, and boost local economies. This initiative is supporting the completion of more than 75 projects ranging from improvements to youth camps and environmental education centers to new boat launches, duck blinds, and hiking trails. Read more about the Adventure NY initiative.

For more information on North/South Lake Campground and to make a reservation for the 2020 camping season, visit New York’s ReserveAmerica website.