Fahnestock Winter Park Cross Country Ski area will open when conditions permit. Check the FWP page for more information here.
Campground is closed for the season. We will reopen in the Spring 2019 with a new Water System in operation.
Beach and Boat Rentals are closed for season.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is a delight for outdoor enthusiasts. This 14,086-acre park, covering land in Putnam and Dutchess counties, boasts hiking trails, a beautiful beach, picnic areas, scenic campground, and abundant opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, and birding. The park is also home to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, which provides high-quality environmental programming and Fahnestock Winter Park, which includes 20 kilometers of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The large beach at Canopus Lake is the jewel of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. Its sandy shore and nearby picnic area are enjoyed by thousands of bathers. In addition to swimming, campers and day trippers can fish in or tour Canopus Lake by rowboats, which are available for rental by the hour or the day. Visitors with their own boats must obtain a Regional Boating permit at the Park Office. Fishing by boat is permitted at Stillwater and Canopus Lakes. Fishing at both lakes and four ponds is excellent in all seasons for anglers seeking bass, pickerel, perch or brook and rainbow trout. Please note that all freshwater fishing requires a permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This permit can be obtained from town halls and many sporting goods stores.
The scenic campground, formed along the park's natural rock ridges, provides alcoves of privacy and tranquility for campers. Each of the 80 campsites has a picnic table, charcoal grill, and fire ring. Additionally, there is an area for RV camping. Although there are no hookups available or dump station, restroom and shower facilities are centrally located to all RV and tent sites. Individuals, as well as larger camping groups, are welcome. The campground's nature center houses environmental displays and a variety of touch boxes.
Watch the newly released Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park and Hudson Highlands State Parks video, produced for Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands by Anthony Sherin and narrated by Jane Alexander.
Don't miss these popular destinations and attractions within or near the park:
Current Water Quality - Beach Results
Dogs are permitted on trails on a leash of not more than 10 feet. Pets are not permitted on beach or in picnic areas. Pets are allowed in all campsites. For campers, if your site allows pets, there is a two-pet maximum.
Boat Rentals: (when the beach is open):
Weekend 9am – 5pm
Weekdays 9am - 3pm
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
Please visit the Fahnestock Winter Park webpage for this information.
New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.
Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. For more information see firewood restrictions.
Key BCA Criteria:
- Diverse species concentration site
- Species at risk site
The Fahnestock BCA is located within Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. The BCA is especially important because of its undisturbed stream valleys, lakes, and wetlands which provide food, shelter, and breeding sites for birds and other wildlife. The Fahnestock BCA is within Audubon New York's Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands Important Bird Area. It was originally designated as a BCA in 2000. This update to the BCA Management Guidance Summary was completed in order to consider recent land acquisitions which have expanded the size of Clarence Fahnestock State Park. Review of these sites indicated that the majority of these parcels met the criteria for inclusion within the existing BCA.
Fahnestock BCA represents one of the largest areas of contiguous forest in the lower Hudson Valley, and thus provides significant stopover and breeding habitat for a diverse group of forest-dependent bird species. Characteristic bird species found during migratory and breeding periods include Broad-winged Hawk, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-throated Vireo, Worm-eating Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. Species-at-risk at Fahnestock include the State Threatened Least Bittern and Special Concern Sharp-shinned, Cooper's and Red-shouldered Hawks and Eastern Whip-poor-will.
Download a copy of the BCA map.
Go birding with the Fahnestock Bird Checklist.
Big Game:
Archery only. 10/1 - 12/19/18 – May enter woods ½ hour before sunrise to set up and exit by sunset. Permit required – unlimited.
Gun season: Shotgun only. Map available at park office. 11/17 – 12/9/18. May enter woods at ½ hour before sunrise to set up and exit by sunset. Permit is required – limited to first 200 hunters.
Muzzle loading: 12/10 - 12/19/18. May enter the woods ½ hours before sunrise to set up and exit by sunset.
Crossbow: 11/3-12/19/18
Turkey – shotgun only (no weekends or holidays). No youth hunt. 5/1-5/24/19. May enter woods ½ hour before sunrise to set up and exit by sunset. Permit is required – limited to first 200 hunters.
All permits are available starting 1 month prior to opening day for their respective season.
Please come to the park office to obtain hunting permits and maps, or call (845) 225-7207 with any questions. The park office located at 1498 Rte 301 Carmel, NY 10512.