Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
253 Route 344
Copake Falls, NY 12517
- Phone: (518) 329-3993
Taconic State Park is located along 16 miles of the Taconic Mountain Range, sharing a border with Massachusetts and Connecticut. Two developed areas, Copake Falls and Rudd Pond, offer an extensive trail system with terrain that varies from easy to challenging, offering spectacular views.
The extensive campground at Copake Falls has sites to accommodate campers seeking a more rustic experience, as well as those seeking a more "home like" experience. There are 45 tent sites, 25 tent platforms, 36 trailer sites and three cabin areas for a total of 106 campsites and 18 cabins. The trailer sites allow trailers up to 30 feet in length, but do not offer hook up facilities. Centrally located restroom and shower facilities are located in all campsite areas. The cabin areas vary in number of cabins, location and size. The smallest cabins accommodate up to 4 people and the largest 6 people. All cabins have electricity, lights, hot and cold running water, a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove, a dining area, a picnic table, and outdoor camp fire ring with grill. The "Ironworkers" cabins are equipped with private showers and flush toilets; campers in the "Bash Bish" cabins utilize a centrally located shower facility with flush toilets. Some cabins in the Greenwich Cabin Area are wheelchair accessible and offer extra amenities such as a microwave, sofa, shower, dishwasher and cable television hookup.
There are plenty of activities for campers, as well as day visitors to enjoy in the oldest State Park in the Taconic Region. Bike or stroll along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, hike to Bash Bish Falls, just over the Massachusetts border or up Brace Mountain, the highest point in Dutchess County. Stop at the newly created Copake Iron Works Museum to learn about the iron industry at the former site of Copake Iron Works, established in 1845. Copake Falls offers swimming opportunities at a designated swimming area with a dock in Ore Pit Pond and at the adjacent kiddie pool. The small but deep Ore Pit Pond is a popular destination due to its excellent water quality. Swimming is permitted when lifeguards are on duty-- floatation devices are not allowed. Fresh water fishing enthusiasts will delight in hooking brown trout and other fish in the Bash Bish Brook or rainbow trout in the old iron ore mine pit.
The fun doesn't end in wintertime. There are great trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as 5 miles of snowmobile trails.
In season deer and bear hunting (rifle/shotgun/bow), turkey hunting (bow/shotgun), rabbit/hare hunting, squirrel, fox and ruffed grouse hunting are permitted. Small game season begin November 1st. A New York State hunting license is required. Please be aware that Taconic State Park property encompasses land in both Columbia and Dutchess Counties. Please adhere to the appropriate regulations set forth by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The use of handguns are not permitted in any state parks. No youth hunts.
Don't miss these popular destinations and attractions within or near the park:
- Bash Bish Falls - the most dramatic and highest single drop waterfall in Massachusetts
- Copake Iron Works Museum - established in 1845, iron remained active until 1903. The charcoal blast furnace, blowing engine house, machine shop, office and powder storage building still remain and are open to the public during the spring, summer and fall seasons
- Harlem Valley Rail Trail - once a rail line extension of New York City, it is now a picturesque trail with interpretive signs
- Taconic State Park, Rudd Pond Area - another area of Taconic State Park to the south with a large pond.
- Appalachian Trail - a portion of the AT can be accessed near Taconic State Park
Current Water Quality - Beach Results
Dogs are permitted on trails and in the D loop of campground. Dogs must be attended to and leashed (on a leash not more than 10 feet) at all times. Dogs are not permitted in buildings, picnic and bathing areas, and at any other campground/cabin areas. For campers, if your site allows pets, there is a two-pet maximum.
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls
P.O. Box 100Copake Falls, NY 12517
Hours of Operation
- Park is open year round, sunrise to sunset, weather and conditions permitting.
- 2018 Swimming Season:
5/26-6/17, Weekends/Holidays only
6/23-9/3, Daily
Hours: 11am-7pm
*Visitors, please note: A swim test is required for children 12 and under to swim in the Copake Ore Pit. An adult must accompany children 10 and under. - 2018 Camping Season: 5/4 - 11/25
Ironworkers & Bash Bish Cabins: 5/4-10/21
The winterized Greenwich Cabin area, a short drive to local ski resorts, is open year round.
*Please note within the camping season time frame, some loops/sites may open later or close earlier. For more details, please call the park or visit http://www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. - Day Use Activities: Seasonal.
Hiking, biking, swimming, playground, roller skating, in-line skating, fishing/hunting, XC skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, Nature Center and the Copake Iron Works Heritage Trail (self-guided.) - Hunting: Park Permit Required. DEC rules and regs apply. All Deer seasons; Spring and Fall Turkey seasons, bow until noon only.
- Picnicking: Year-round. Picnic Pavilion available year-round.
Fees & Rates
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.
- Camping & Cabins
- Campsites: $15-22/night
*Additional $5/night for non-NYS residents
Cabin:
$518-$596/week
daily rate is 1/4 the weekly charge
Cottages:
$700 weekly/ $175 daily
-Non-NYS residents $28/week, $7/daily - Picnicking
- $35/day to reserve a picnic shelter
- Vehicle Entrance Fee
- Cars: $7
Non-Profit Bus: $35
Commercial Bus: $75
(Swimming season only.)
Fee Collected:
5/26 - 6/17, weekends/holidays
6/23 - 9/3, daily
Maps
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.
Copake Iron Works Museum's Summer Tours
Visit the expanded Copake Iron Works Museum (33 Valley View Road, Copake Falls, NY) in Taconic State Park, with tours on Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Saturdays and Sundays, May 28 through September 4, 2-4 PM, and on Monday, September 5, from 2-4 PM. On display are a series of iron artifacts, ranging from plow parts to chisels and unknown objects. Each one has been catalogued by the Friends of Taconic State Park's Historic Preservation Committee. In its heyday, a total of 5,000 tons of iron ore were wheeled into Copake Falls each year from surrounding towns such as Pawling and Amenia. Admission is free. For more information visit http://www.friendsoftsp.org.
Obtain Permit (No Cost) from the Park Office to be displayed in vehicle dashboard while hunting. Office hours vary – call ahead.
Big Game:
Deer and Bear archery season (early bow): 10/1/18 to 11/16/18.
Deer and Bear late bow: 12/10/18 to 12/18/18.
Deer and Bear Crossbow: 11/3/18 to 11/16/18
Deer and Bear regular season (rifle/shotgun): 11/17/18 to 12/9/18
Deer and Bear muzzle loading season: 12/10/18 to 12/18/18
Note: Columbia County allows rifles – Dutchess County is shotgun only (Rudd Pond).
Small Game:
Turkey, archery and shotgun: Fall season: 10/20/18 to 11/2/18 Spring season: 5/1/19 to 5/31/19.
Rabbit (Shotgun only): 11/1/18 to 2/28/19
Hare (Shotgun only): 11/1/18 to 2/28/19
Squirrel (Shotgun only): 11/1/18 to 2/28/19
Fox (Shotgun only): 11/1/18 to 2/15/19
Ruffed grouse (Shotgun only): 11/1/18 to 2/28/19
No waterfowl. No migratory birds. No reptiles. No amphibians. No youth hunts. No handguns. No target practice.
Saturday, April 20, 2019 01:00 PM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
by Taconic State Park Manager Chris Rickard
Park Manager, Chris Rickard, will be leading this introductory Map and Compass Orienteering course. Course will start at Copake Day. Use Area Pavilion.
This event will be Earth Day themed and attendees will learn to read topography lines on a map, use a compass to follow a bearing, participate in a small orienteering course and do some backcountry packing and what to bring when going on a day hike in the outdoors. Course will be geared for ages 10 and up.
Registration required, please call 518-329-3993.
Saturday, May 4, 2019 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
Register
Start time for all projects: 9am
End time for all projects: 12pm
Meeting Location: Pavilion. Parking Instructions: Park at Day Use Area by Pavilion
Volunteer Project #1: Clean out Kiddie Pool. Please bring: Garden gloves, leaf rakes, gravel rakes, water. Ages: Appropriate for 13 and up
Volunteer Project #2: Sweep off Campground Platforms. Please bring: Garden gloves and brooms. Ages: Appropriate for children 12 and under
Volunteer Project #3: Rt. 344 and Bash Bish Parking Lot Adopt a Highway Litter Patrol. Please bring: Garden gloves and brooms. Ages: Appropriate for 13 and up
Volunteer Project #4:Garlic Mustard Invasive Species Removal. Please bring: Garden gloves. Ages: Appropriate for 13 and up
We can accommodate: Large groups, small groups, college student groups, Boy or Girl Scouts. Questions? Call: 518-329-3993 Email: christopher.rickard@parks.ny.gov
Amenities, Activities & Information
- Amenities
- Cabins
- Camper Recreation
- Campsites
- Cottages
- Dumping Stations
- Grills
- Museum/Visitors Center * Copake Iron Works Museum and Heritage Trail
- Pavilions
- Picnic Tables
- Playgrounds
- Scenic Views
- Showers
- Swimming Beach
- Tent/Trailer Sites
- Waterfalls
- Activities
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Recreation Programs
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing Trails
- X-Country Skiing
- Resources
- Kids Outdoors New York City