Taconic State Park is a well-liked camping location in the eastern New York town of Copake Falls, nestled up close to the state's borders with Connecticut and Massachusetts. It places both overnight and day visitors in the middle of a region rich in recreational options. The 14,400 acres of this multi-state forest, which is the largest and healthiest unspoiled stretch between Maine and Virginia, including 6,000 or more acres of land that run along the western slopes of the Taconic Mountain Range and make up the oldest state park in the Taconic region. Native Americans gave the park its name, which translates to "among the trees." Here, among the unusual plants and creatures that call these forests home, you'll also discover a true haven of tranquilly.

Copake Falls and Rudd Pond, two developed parts in the park, both have campgrounds, hiking paths, and other recreational features. You should venture outside Taconic State Park as well because places like Bash Bish Falls in the Massachusetts Berkshires are only a few miles away. This guide will help you make the most of your vacation by highlighting the numerous adventures that await park visitors.

What to Do 
Since the 19th century, the Taconic Mountains have been mined for their natural resources, and the 1845 Copake Iron Works is a distinctive landmark of Taconic State Park. Its Copake visitors centre, which is now a museum, is open daily throughout the year during daylight hours, and between Memorial Day Weekend and mid-November, guided tours are offered on weekends and holiday Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. You may visit a wonderfully intact 18-acre industrial complex here and examine tools and other items. With the help of this map, you can embark on a self-guided tour of 25 locations, including the blast furnace, the black powder storage structure, a machine shop that is still functional, the Carpenter Gothic office, workers' homes, and the home of ironmaster Isaac Chesbrough. You can follow the Iron Works Heritage Trail while taking this free audio tour.

The park's former ore pit is now filled with water and available for swimming by the general public and fishing for rainbow trout when lifeguards are on duty. The authorised swimming area is close to a kiddie pool.

In the southern part of the park, near Rudd Pond, you can hire canoes and rowboats for non-motorized boating. You are also welcome to launch our own rowboat, kayak, or canoe.

Taconic State Park is a popular location for deer, bear, turkey, squirrel, fox, and ruffed grouse hunting while the animals are in season, as long as one has the right licence and follows the rules.
Trails & Hikes 
The Iron Works Heritage Trail leads to a number of the hiking trails in Taconic State Park. The extraordinarily attractive Bash Bish Falls, a twin cascade on the Massachusetts side of the state line, may be reached by a one-mile hike. This region is traversed by the 13-mile South Taconic Trail as well. The hike up Alander and Brace Mountains is difficult and taxing.

Another starting point for popular bike and walking routes is close to the Iron Works neighbourhood. Parking is available on Route 344 next to the park office. From here to Wassaic, the paved railbed route extends south over more than 20 completed miles. The trail will eventually be 46 miles long and go all the way to Chatham in the north.

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are all permitted on the five miles of trails that are open throughout the winter. The Taconic Mountain Range's downhill skiing can be done at the nearby Catamount Mountain Resort in Hillsdale, New York.

You can find more hiking opportunities by using these maps of Taconic State Park's northern and southern regions. Along these pathways, you'll discover some of the most rewarding views:

Sunset Rock Trail: This moderate, 3.9-mile loop, which is best hiked counter-clockwise, includes some creek-crossing difficulties and travels through dense woodland, but the breathtaking Catskills panorama from Sunset Rock will have you in awe.
Iron Mine Pond Loop: This 4.7-mile loop, which starts close to Millerton, New York, and follows the shoreline of Iron Mine Pond and Rudd Pond, is a simple, beautiful hike.
Two seasonal campgrounds are available in Taconic State Park. Rudd Pond, with its 15 tent sites and 26 tent platform sites, is the smaller of the two locations and normally is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. 45 tent sites, 25 tent platforms, 36 sites for trailers up to 30 feet long (no connections), and 18 cabins with power, lighting, hot and cold running water, and fully functional kitchens are available in the Copake Falls region. Reservations are normally accepted for this larger campground between early May and mid-November.

Tentrr sites are available in both camping sections of Taconic State Park, making them ideal for novice campers. If you make a reservation via them, you'll arrive at your campsite to discover your canvas-wall tent already set up and prepared for your visit.

Plan to park in a bigger RV or prefer a private campground? Considered nearby camping locations are:

Waubeeka Family Campground: This pet-friendly campground in Copake, New York, offers full hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cottages for rent. It is situated 2.5 miles from Taconic State Park. Here, there are a number of sports courts and lawn games, a mini golf course, an arcade, a swimming beach, a water slide, kayaks, and paddle boats.
Copake Camping Campground: This seasonal resort can accommodate the largest of rigs and has space for 217 RVs. It has full hookups and a wide range of amenities, such as a heated indoor pool, a dog park, an arcade, and a mini golf course. Having no RV? Reserve a tent spot or one of the 20 cottages that accept pets at the campsite.
Hotels in the Area 
Outside the park, on both sides of the state line separating Massachusetts and New York, are hotels and motels. The top selections include:

The Alander: A new boutique lodge in Copake, New York that caters to year-round visitors.
Sheffield Lodge: A rustic but lovely, six-room B&B in Sheffield, Massachusetts, about 20 minutes from Taconic State Park.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Great Barrington: A more traditional chain hotel, located in the Berkshires and just under a half-hour from the park, where you'll enjoy the use of the indoor pool and whirlpool and 24-hour fitness center.
How to Get There 
Taconic State Park is roughly an hour south of Albany and just over an hour and a half north of Westchester, New York. The main entrance is at 253 NY-344 in Copake Falls, New York. There are no public transportation options, so you will need a car or ride service. There is a vehicle entrance fee of $8 per car for the lot near Ore Pit Pond during the summer swimming season only.

Accessibility 
Taconic State Park offers a limited number of tent platform sites and camping cabins (in the Greenwich Cabin Area) that are wheelchair-accessible. The Copake Iron Works Museum is partially accessible. The paved Harlem Valley Rail Trail is closed to motorized vehicles with the exception of electric mobility wheelchairs. For specific information about access needs, call the park directly at: 518-329-3993.

Guidelines for Your Visit 
The park is accessible every day of the year from dawn till dusk.
You may bring up to two dogs with you on the trails or to your campground, but they must always be in a crate or on a leash no longer than six feet.
There are several fantastic spots to ride in this area, including Mountain Valley Farm near Millerton, New York, despite the fact that horses are not permitted on park trails or the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.
Hikers (and their canine companions) should wear blaze orange during hunting season, especially if they intend to stray from established trails.
If you are 16 years of age or older, you must have a New York State Freshwater Fishing License before you can pursue trout. Purchase one over the phone or online.Guidelines for Your Visit
The park is accessible every day of the year from dawn till dusk.
You may bring up to two dogs with you on the trails or to your campground, but they must always be in a crate or on a leash no longer than six feet.
There are several fantastic spots to ride in this area, including Mountain Valley Farm near Millerton, New York, despite the fact that horses are not permitted on park trails or the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.
Hikers (and their canine companions) should wear blaze orange during hunting season, especially if they intend to stray from established trails.
If you are 16 years of age or older, you must have a New York State Freshwater Fishing License before you can pursue trout. Purchase one over the phone or online.