Is North-South Lake good for beginners and families?

Yes. It is one of the strongest beginner-and-family candidates in the area: a calm, no-motor lake in a state campground setting with a hard-surface ramp and generous parking. Watch the wind on open water and keep younger kids near shore in properly fitted PFDs.

Are there rentals at North-South Lake?

Rentals are reported seasonally, which is part of what makes it visitor-friendly. Confirm the season, hours, and availability before counting on them.

Is there parking, and are there fees?

There are 40 single-car spaces and 20 trailer spaces (verified). NYSDEC lists a $10 per-vehicle day-use fee (checked July 2026), with camping fees separate. The operating season varies year to year, so confirm the current season and fee before you go.

Are motorboats allowed?

No. NYSDEC lists North-South Lake as closed to motorized boats, which is a big part of what keeps it calm. Rules can change, so glance at the current campground rules when you plan.

When is the best time to go?

It is a seasonal day-use and campground area that can be busy on warm weekends, so a quiet weekday feels very different. Check the operating season, fees, and weather first.

Destination Guide

North-South Lake Kayaking and Paddleboarding Guide

North-South Lake · Haines Falls, Greene County, NY

Desk-researched Confidence: Medium Updated July 27, 2026

Best for

families
beginners
rentals
campground/day-use paddling

Not ideal for

people avoiding busy seasonal areas
off-season access without checking status

Launch & Water

Launch type: hard-surface boat ramp (day-use)
Water type: lake
Skill level: Beginner candidate

Access & Amenities

Parking: 40 single-car spaces and 20 trailer spaces (verified)
Restrooms: state campground facilities (seasonal)
Fees or permits: day-use vehicle fee ($10 per vehicle, per NYSDEC, checked July 2026); camping fees separate - confirm current fees and season
Rentals nearby: reported seasonally

Water Conditions

Motorboat traffic: none - NYSDEC lists the lake as closed to motorized boats
Wind exposure: moderate, open lake
Current or tide: none

More Info

Family-friendly: yes
Dog-friendly: check campground rules
GPS coordinates: 42.19719, -74.03595

Rating Snapshot

Beginner friendliness
Launch ease
Parking convenience
Scenery
Family suitability
SUP suitability
Safety confidence

Rating basis: desk research

Ratings may change after future reviews.

On-site amenities

Day-use area
State campground facilities
Hiking trails

Where it is

Quick Verdict

North-South Lake is one of the strongest beginner and family candidates for Paddle Greene: a calm, no-motor lake in a state campground setting with a hard-surface ramp, generous parking (40 car and 20 trailer spaces), and full day-use facilities. It is scenic, easy to launch from, and forgiving for first-timers and SUPs on a settled day.

Where It Is

North-South Lake is in the North-South Lake area near Haines Falls, in the northern Catskills of Greene County. It is one of the better-known places to paddle in the area, set high in the mountains with a day-use and campground season. Exact directions, the put-in within the area, and current access details still need a field check.

Launch and Parking Notes

Public sources describe day-use and campground access here, with parking that varies by season and how busy the area is. The specifics are not yet confirmed by Paddle Greene, so treat the following as needs verification:

Day-use and campground parking, and how it fills up
The launch surface and exact put-in
Carry distance from parking to the water
Restrooms (reported seasonally, not yet field-confirmed)
The current operating season (the $10 per-vehicle day-use fee is per NYSDEC, checked July 2026)
On-site signage for the no-motor rule (desk-verified via NYSDEC; not yet sighted in person)

We will tighten these up after a field visit and photos.

What the Paddle Is Like

This is a scenic mountain lake, and the setting is a big part of the appeal. With the lake closed to motorized boats (per NYSDEC), it should be a calm, low-pressure paddle on settled days, which is what makes it a good beginner and family candidate. Wind exposure across the open water still needs verification, and the area can be busy in peak season, so the experience may feel different on a quiet weekday than on a warm summer weekend.

Would I Bring a Beginner Here?

Short answer: Likely yes, with normal lake and seasonal-use cautions.

This appears to be a better beginner candidate than Hudson River or moving-water options. Check season, fees, rentals, rules, and weather before going.

Kayak, Canoe, SUP, and Rental Notes

Kayaks

A strong fit. Calm lake water suits recreational kayaks and makes this a good first-paddle candidate.

Canoes

Also well suited to a quiet mountain lake, especially outside peak crowds.

Paddleboards

A no-motor lake is a friendly place to SUP. Bring a leash and PFD and watch for wind across the open water.

Rentals

Rentals are reported seasonally, which is part of what makes this spot beginner- and visitor-friendly. Confirm the season, hours, and availability before counting on them.

Family Notes

This is one of the more family-oriented paddling candidates in the area, with seasonal facilities reported and a calm lake setting. Plan around the season and fees, expect crowds on warm weekends, and keep younger kids close to shore in properly fitted PFDs. Confirm restrooms and amenities before you rely on them.

What to Check Before You Go

Operating season and hours
Day-use or campground fees
Rental availability, if you need it
Wind speed and direction
The weather forecast for your window
Water temperature, especially in spring and early summer
Crowding and the best time of day to go
See Before You Paddle for the full checklist

Nearby Pairings

Paddle plus Hike

The North-South Lake area and the surrounding northern Catskills are well known for hiking, which pairs naturally with a morning paddle. Specific trails and logistics to be confirmed on a field visit.

Paddle plus Day Trip

The Haines Falls and Tannersville area makes an easy add-on for food or a wander after the paddle. (Specific spots to be confirmed.)

Paddle plus Weekend Trip

North-South Lake is a natural anchor for a Catskills weekend built around lakes, mountains, and easy paddling.

Field Review Notes

Current status: Desk-researched

Still Need to Verify

Seasonal access
Fee details
Launch surface
Rental process
Crowding
Best time of day
Photos

Bottom Line

North-South Lake looks like the strongest beginner-and-family paddling candidate in the Paddle Greene area, with a scenic mountain-lake setting and seasonal rentals reported. The practical details (fees, season, parking flow, and crowds) are still desk-researched, so confirm the current season and conditions before you go, and expect us to field-review this one early.

Before you launch

Conditions change fast. Paddle Greene gives planning notes, not a promise that any spot is safe today. You are responsible for checking wind, weather, tide, current, water temperature, and your own skill before you launch. Wear a properly fitted life jacket, tell someone your plan, and turn back early when in doubt.

Lake and pond

Wind can still build chop on open lakes. Check the forecast and stay near shore if it picks up.
"Calm" does not mean "supervised." There may be no lifeguard, ranger, or cell service.

Source notes

Launch type, parking counts, and facilities verified via the NYS DEC Greene County paddling directory.
The day-use vehicle fee ($10 per vehicle) and the no-motorized-boats rule come from the NYSDEC North-South Lake Campground and Day Use Area pages, checked July 2026. Fees and season dates change - confirm the current operating season and fee before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Is North-South Lake good for beginners and families?: Yes. It is one of the strongest beginner-and-family candidates in the area: a calm, no-motor lake in a state campground setting with a hard-surface ramp and generous parking. Watch the wind on open water and keep younger kids near shore in properly fitted PFDs.
Are there rentals at North-South Lake?: Rentals are reported seasonally, which is part of what makes it visitor-friendly. Confirm the season, hours, and availability before counting on them.
Is there parking, and are there fees?: There are 40 single-car spaces and 20 trailer spaces (verified). NYSDEC lists a $10 per-vehicle day-use fee (checked July 2026), with camping fees separate. The operating season varies year to year, so confirm the current season and fee before you go.
Are motorboats allowed?: No. NYSDEC lists North-South Lake as closed to motorized boats, which is a big part of what keeps it calm. Rules can change, so glance at the current campground rules when you plan.
When is the best time to go?: It is a seasonal day-use and campground area that can be busy on warm weekends, so a quiet weekday feels very different. Check the operating season, fees, and weather first.

Know a launch? Help improve the guide.

Paddle Greene gets better when local paddlers share what they know. If you recently visited a launch, noticed a change, took photos, or have safety or access notes, send an update.

Helpful updates include:

Parking details
Launch condition
Restroom availability
Water conditions
Crowding
Beginner-friendliness
Photos
Safety concerns
Nearby food, trails, or local tips

Submit a Launch Update