North/South Lake Site Question

[sixjs]

Hi.  My family is planning a summer trip to North /South Lake.  I have been searching for info to help me choose a great site.  COTOC has been the only place I was able to find anything.  I wondered if anyone could give me any information on some of the other loops in the campground?  What are the sites like that are by the stream,(55)?  We get to take only a couple of trips a year and I spend ALOT of time trying to find the perfect spot. I hate to book based only on RA maps. We have already checked the highly recommended 171.  All booked!  We camped at Mongaup Pond last summer, right on the lake and loved it. Rented a canoe and kept it right at our site.  We are looking forward to a similar experience. I would appreciate ANY information.

Thanks!
sixjs
Unadilla NY

[copcarguy]

Hey sixjs - welcome to COTOC!!
 
We have a rally to North Lake planned for opening weekend May 5th, 2006 if you're interested...
 
Not sure if you have checked out the pics I have in my webshots webpage of North Lake or not, but if you haven't yet, just click on the link below my signature and look for "North Lake Trips". I also have an old (probably 20 years at this point!) map of the CG there... it's much better than the one on reserveamerica.com. You mentioned site 55 and all those sites are hit or miss next to the stream. If the stream is flowing, they are really nice to sleep next to and hear the water all night long. If it's a dryer year, that same stream slows to a trickle and you get attacked by a zillion mosquitos. Too much of a chance to take IMO. I'll try to give you a run down of the other loops based upon what you wrote you were looking for: right on the lake, parking a canoe at your site, etc. Your basic plan would be to get a site from 140 on in Loop 5 or Loop 6.
 
Loop 7 is the newest loop, and it is faaaar from everything else in the CG. It's a hike to both beaches, and I wouldn't camp there. Far from everything, and no really picturesque views, etc...
 
Loop 1 is kinda off the main road too, you must pass the Rangers Cabin, but some sites there can be pretty (I like 11 if your camper's not too big) but then again you're on the other side of that same stream. There is a nice hiking path that leads to North Lake beach, not too far a walk.
 
Loops 2 and 3 have the same entrance road, some sites in there are nice (my little notebook of the "good sites" is out in the camper right now sorry) most are not near the lake, but if I didn't have reservations, I would take a site in there to be "in the woods" if something in Loops 5 or 6 wasn't available. Keep in mind Loop 3 is scheduled to be closed for part or all of the 2006 season to build a new bathhouse.
 
Loop 4 can also be nice, again I would really only go in there if something in 5 or 6 wasn't available. Here's a pic of site 88: http://community.webshots.com/photo/54331686/121001483GUeGhT It's right on the main road, but as you can see, there's enough trees for privacy IMO.
 
Loop 5: Forget any sites from 130 to 139 if you want to be near the lake. They're all basically on the side of a hill. 139 is on a cliff. 140 is my second favorite site at North Lake. You only have neighbors on one side, you're across from the bathhouse but far enough away that it won't bother you. You're not on the lake, but it's across/down the street - and you have some protection from the wind that whips off the lake. Here's 140: http://community.webshots.com/photo/54331686/54331797egadnb 141 is almost as nice, but you have neighbors on both sides and behind. 142 is a HUGE flat lot, I wouldn't get that one. 143 is literally 15 feet from the bathhouse - you hear the toilets flush! Stay away from that one. I have seen someone squeeze a 5th wheel in 143, run a green extension cord from the bathhouse to the camper, cover the cord with leaves and twigs, and never come out of the camper one time in an entire weekend.  That's probably the only site you could possibly get electric to.  144 has some huge green electric transformer box (that you can hear the electric humming in) in your site - wouldn't want that one either. 145, 146, and 147 are right on the lake but more grassy/bushes than trees. Also, you have ZERO wind protection. Here's a pic of 145: http://community.webshots.com/photo/54331686/342507191OVFDnb They're very nice, but I like trees more than bushes. 148 and 149 are similar to the last picture. 150 and 151 are very, very, very open but right on the lake as well. Usually you'll see a big Class A bus motorhome there, because they couldn't fit anywhere else, but they're both not real nice sites. 152 and 154 are in 6 foot tall weeds and butt up against each other with no privacy. That's about it for the rest of Loop 5, because now you're far from the bathroom, and going up the other side of the hill.
 
Loop 6 has a brand new bathhouse built in 2003, with outside sink to wash your dishes. Basically all the sites in Loop 6 are nice. 167 is a pull through just re-done. It's semi on the water, you'll have to walk a few steps through some brush to get to the lake. The only downside to 167 is that the only threaded water faucet in Loop 6 is right in front of it, so you'll have RV's filling up there. Here's a pic of 167: http://community.webshots.com/photo/72793961/72794322xmSZdw 170 and 171 are in their own mini-loop, 170 is nice, but again you'll have to go through some brush for the lake. Here's 170's view of the Lake: http://community.webshots.com/photo/139433332/142364821FpiFrB You already know about 171 - the BEST site in the entire CG. 177, 178, and 179 are prime real-estate as well. For the "non lake front" sites on the other side of the road, 169 has a real narrow entrance, 172 and 173 are so-so's and stay away from 174. 175 and 176 are nice. 180 and 182 are right near a pavilion and not real nice. 181 is small. 183 and 185 are really nice, just re-done last season with new everything. They're far from the bathhouse but nice. Here's 183: http://community.webshots.com/photo/54331686/434468837XiItgB 184, 186, and 187 are very far from the bathhouse. All of the sites from 170 on are a nice short walk to the beach and the Mountain House site.
 
Well I have written a book here, I hope this all helped you make a decision. If you need anymore info feel free to drop me a line. Like I said we have a COTOC rally there opening weekend in May '06 and closing weekend in Oct. '06, and I try to go there once a month in between. Hope to meet you soon!
 
PS - What do you camp in??

[tlhdoc]

Hi sixja and welcome to COTOC and PUT. I understand about trying to get the perfect campsite.  I have been working on getting the best campsite in Custer SP for the last 2 months.  Today I was finally able to make my reservations.  So I do understand.  Rick aka Copcarguy is our NS Lake expert.  He knows more about that park than anyone else I know.  Feel free to join us on any COTOC trip.  We are a very informal family oriented group and everyone is welcome.

[sixjs]

WOW, Thanks for all the great information.  We went back and forth between your post and RA all day yesterday trying to find a site.  It looks like the only sites available for the first week in August that are close to the lake are 148 and 149.  Will probably make our reservation some time today.
We camp in a 2000 Aero Cub Hybrid.  My husband and I have four children from 15 to 6.  We have not been camping very long but QUICKLY came to love it.  Started summer 2004 with a tent, by the end of summer 2004 had purchased and reparied a used Starcraft pop-up and by Spring 2005 found a deal we couldn't refuse on the Aero Cub.  It has been great.  We get to take about 3-4 trips a year.  We are planning our second trip to Locust Lake in April.  The kids and "grownups" love Cabella's. I would like to thank tlhdoc for the great photos of the sites at that campground. They came up when we Googled the campground last year and we used them to choose our site, 71.  We hope to book the same site this time.
Again, thanks to everyone for the quick response and great information.  It was a huge help.  We will be checking out site 171 on our North Lake trip!  Maybe we will get a chance to say hello.  Thanks for your kindness!

Joel & Patty

[tlhdoc]

We are planning our second trip to Locust Lake in April... I would like to thank tlhdoc for the great photos of the sites at that campground.

Your welcome.   We are having our Fall Rally at Locust Lake again this year.  It will be held September 22 to 24th weekend.  Maybe you could join us there?  We are also doing a group trip April 21 to 23rd weekend at Otter Lake (a privately owned campground with an indoor pool and spa) in the Poconos.  This is the third annual camping birthday trip for me.  It would be nice to meet you.

[sixjs]

We booked site 178 for our trip the second week of July.  We almost had 170, but missed it by just a few minutes on RA.  I was disappointed, but we hope 178 is good too.  It was the last site available on the lake. We will still be sure to check out 170 & 171!  Thanks again for all you help!

Joel & Patty

[copcarguy]

Hey sixjs - what're the dates you'll be on 178?
 
I'll be on 176 July 7th weekend.

[sixjs]

Hi!  We will be there from July 10-14.  It is hard for us to do weekend trips because of work schedules.  Will you be there only for the weekend? We will be sure to check your site.  Our sons love to visit with all of our neighbors on our trips!
We are getting ready for our first trip this year. Locust Lake on the day after Easter.Site 71. Had a great time there last year in April with 80 degree weather.  The kids love bike riding around the lake.  Pulled the camper out last week and it started snowing the next day!  Hoping it will stop soon and we will have a repeat of last year.  Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed!