North-South Lake Campground

The Amateur Astronomers Association obtains a permit (TRP) from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that allows the club to have observing sessions at North-South Lake, located in Haines Falls, New York, in the Catskill Mountains. This is an exceptionally dark location for deep-sky observing.  Our permit allows only club members to participate on specific permitted dates that will be listed on the calendar.

NOTE: The Primary weekend date for Observing sessions is Saturday. Sunday and even Friday night are optional as per the Event Coordinator(s) discretion. Event Coordinator(s), the ones with their names on the NYS DEC permit, must be present for an event to occur. All dates are weather permitting. Carpooling is suggested.

2024 Observing Dates

• May 31, Jun 1, 2
• June 7, 8, 9
• July 5, 6, 7
• August 2, 3, 4
• August 30, 31, Sept 1
• September 27, 28, 29
• October 4, 5 and 6
• October 11, 12, 13

There is a special Dark Sky Observing Google Group that members can use to communicate for an up coming observing session and to share photos after each event. This group will alert you when there is a GO or NO-GO decision made regarding the weather and the feasibility of the trip, generally 24 hours or more prior to travel. Rides can be a arranged through carpooling if applicable with drivers and travel expenses are shared. There is lodging and camping available in the area if you wish not to make the nearly three hour journey home late at night. You must respect the good wishes of the drivers if carpooling. The drivers use much of their time, energy, and resources to bring other club members to the observing area and their efforts are greatly appreciated.

If you are an AAA member but do not yet have access to this group, please contact [email protected].  If you have general questions, please contact one of our site coordinators at [email protected]. Observers are expected to bring their own equipment (unless you and observers have made mutual plans to work together). Please note that the observing location is locked. Either you will be given the combination to unlock the gate or you will arrange to meet someone who has the combination. The location of the observing site is at South Lake Parking Lot.

Each pair of dates represents a Saturday and a Sunday.  Saturday is the preferred primary date.  If weather is not optimal on the primary date then Sunday generally is the chosen date, but feel free to check with the site chairs, as Friday is another option at the discretion of the site coordinators.

Site Coordinators: Tom Haeberle (site chair), George Preoteasa, Bart Fried, and Faissal Halim. Please use [email protected] to communicate with site coordinators.

Directions from New York City: Take the New York State Thruway (Interstate Route 87) to Exit 20 (Saugerties). Get on New York State Route 32 North. After about 6 miles bear left onto Route 32A West, which merges into Route 23A. Enter the village of Haines Falls. Make the first right onto County Route 18. Take 18 about 2 miles to where it ends, at the park entrance. After you pay the $10 entrance fee, the road divides.  Bear right. The location of the observing site is at South Lake Parking Lot.

Google Maps location and detailed map of North-South Lake.

*** Very important*** See our North/South Lake Campground page for more information.