Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area

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Address
253 Route 344
Copake Falls, NY 12517
Latitude 42.120987
Longitude -73.519562

Know Before You Go...

More Info

Pet Policy

A maximum of two pets are allowed in campsites and day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Swimming -- children 12 and under

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.

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), 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.

Tentrr Camping: Furnished Canvas Wall Tents

Tentrr is now at Taconic State Park in the Copake Falls area. Take the hassle out of camping and spend more time enjoying the outdoors. With a fully-equipped canvas wall tent all set up and ready for you, it really is a better way to camp.

Six walk-in Tentrr sites are located in a large field with easy access to swimming areas, Copake Iron Works Historic Site and the trailhead to Bash Bish Falls.

An additional four walk-in sites can be accessed from the parking area at the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, a paved biking and hiking trail on an abandoned portion of the New York and Harlem Railroad that extends from the Hamlet of Wassaic to Copake Falls.

Please visit the Tentrr website for additional information about camping in Taconic State Park with Tentrr, or to check availability and make reservations.

Pavilion Information
Copake Falls has one pavilion. The day use price is $50 and can accommodate up to 60 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com


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. Bash Bish Falls is operated as a Massachusetts (DCR) State Park with separate regulations.
  • 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

 

Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in campsites and day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Mailing Address
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.
  • 2023 Swimming Season:
    5/27-6/25, Weekends/Holidays only
    6/26-8/24, Daily (subjected to change depending on staffing)
    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.
  • Picnicking: Year-round. Picnic Pavilion available year-round.
  • 2023 Camping Season: 5/12 - 11/19

    Ironworkers & Bash Bish Cabins: 5/19-10/15
    Greenwich cottages: 5/19-11/19

    *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.
  • Hunting: Park Permit Required. DEC rules and regs apply. All Deer seasons; Spring and Fall Turkey seasons, bow until noon only.

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
  • 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
  • Vehicle Entrance Fee
  • Cars: $8
    Non-Profit Bus: $35
    Commercial Bus: $75

    (Swimming season only.)

    Fee Collected:
    5/27 - 6/25, weekends/holidays
    6/26 - 9/4, daily(subject to change depending on staffing)
  • Tentrr Camping: Furnished Canvas Wall Tents
  • For up-to-date pricing, availability, and to make camping reservations, please visit the Tentrr website.

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.

Taconic State Park Hunting Map

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 to 11/20.

Deer and Bear late bow: 12/14 to 12/22.

Deer and Bear Crossbow: 11/7 to 11/20

Deer and Bear regular season (rifle/shotgun): 11/21/20 to 12/13/20

Deer and Bear muzzle loading season: 12/14/20 to 12/22/20

Note: Columbia County allows rifles - Dutchess County is shotgun only (Rudd Pond).

Small Game:

No Rabbit Hunting

Turkey, archery and shotgun: Fall season: 10/17 to 11/1 Spring season: 5/1 to 5/31.

Squirrel (Shotgun only): 11/1/19 to 2/29/20

Fox (Shotgun only): 11/1/19 to 2/14/20

Ruffed grouse (Shotgun only): 11/1/19 to 2/29/20

No waterfowl. No migratory birds. No reptiles. No amphibians. No youth hunts. No handguns. No target practice.

Wed 07 Jun
Grand Opening of The Pomeroy Family Railroad at the Copake Iron Works
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 02:00 PM
Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area
Friends of Taconic State Park (FTSP) will celebrate the grand opening of the Pomeroy Family Railroad at the Copake Iron Works in Taconic State Park. The public is invited to attend the celebration and take an inaugural ride on railroad. The Pomeroy Family Railroad, built and operated entirely by volunteers, will run on a 950 foot loop and will pull two ore carts retrofitted to carry children and adults of all ages. The train replicates the narrow gauge railroad that circumnavigated the Copake Iron Works during its 19th century heyday. The original train transported iron ore from the nearby mine (the area now known as the Ore Pit Swimming Area) to the blast furnace located in the center of the Iron Works.

Get Directions

Must See! Peak fall foliage occurs the second and third weeks of October.

Amenities Information

  • Amenities
  • Biking
  • Camper Assistance Program
  • Campsites, Cabins & Lodging
  • Fishing
  • Grills
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)
  • Playgrounds
  • Showers
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoeing/X-Country Skiing
  • Swimming Beach
  • Visitor Center * Copake Iron Works Museum and Heritage Trail
  • Waterfalls