Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
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 both deer hunting (rifle/shotgun/bow) and turkey hunting (bow only, until 12 Noon) are permitted. A New York State hunting license is required. Please be aware that Taconic State Park property encompasses land in both Dutchess and Columbia Counties. Please adhere to the appropriate regulations set forth by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
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.
- 2017 Swimming Season:
5/27-6/25, Weekends/Holidays only
6/26-9/4, 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.
- 2017 Camping Season: 5/5 - 11/26
Ironworkers & Bash Bish Cabins: 5/5-10/22
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 Empire Pass -- whether a card for $80 or a vehicle-affixed decal for $65 -- is 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. Apply online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
- Boat Rentals
$7/hr. up to 3 hours
$25/day (24 hour day)
$100/week
Deposit: $25- Boating
- Season Permit: $30
Weekly Permit: $10 - 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:
5/27 - 6/25, weekends/holidays
6/26 - 9/4, 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.
Bear Hunting is NOT permitted.
Obtain Permit (No Cost) from the Park Office to be displayed in vehicle dashboard while hunting. Office hours vary – call ahead.
Big Game:
Deer only, archery season (early bow): 10/1/16 to 11/18/16.
Deer only, late bow: 12/12/16 to 12/20/16.
Deer Only, Crossbow: 11/5/16 to 11/18/16
Deer only, regular season (rifle/shotgun): 11/19/15 to 12/11/16
Deer only, muzzle loading season: 12/12/16 to 12/20/16
Note: Columbia County allows rifles – Dutchess County is shotgun only (Rudd Pond).
Small Game:
Turkey only, archery only until 12 Noon only.
Fall season: 10/17/16 to 10/28/16
Spring season: 5/1/17 to 5/31/17.
Saturday, June 24, 2017 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
Bill Robinson will present a program on the raptors and reptiles found in the Taconic State Park region. He will bring several different birds of prey and frogs and salamanders to the presentation so bring your camera and a lawn chair. Meet at the day use area next to the Park Headquarters, 253 State Route 344, Copake Falls.
Saturday, June 24, 2017 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
Ever wonder what some of those "sounds that go bump in the night" are? Come to our fourth nature program for kids and parents and find out! Led by the environmental educators from the Taconic Outdoor Education Center at Fahnstock State Park, participants will take a listening walk through the woods, and find out who is making those weird sounds and why. What are some of the adaptations peculiar to nocturnal creatures? A bonus, if it is a clear night, will be identification of stars and constellations. Meet at Park Headquarters 253 State Route 344, Copake Falls.
Monday, July 10, 2017 until Friday, July 14, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
July 10-14
11:00am-11:45am
For information on registration and to confirm the dates and hours above, please contact the park office directly.
Monday, July 17, 2017 until Friday, July 21, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
July 17-21
11:00am-11:45am
For information on registration and to confirm the dates and hours above, please contact the park office directly.
Monday, July 24, 2017 until Friday, July 28, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
July 24-28
11:00am-11:45am
For information on registration and to confirm the dates and hours above, please contact the park office directly.
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