Copake Falls camping options center in New York's eastern Taconic Mountains, where elevations reach about 2,000 feet and the landscape features numerous streams and hardwood forests. The camping season typically runs May through mid-October with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 55-65°F at night. Fall brings earlier sunsets and temperatures that can dip into the 40s, requiring additional layers for overnight campers.
What to Do
Hiking to waterfalls: Trails from Taconic State Park's Copake Falls Area connect to both local and interstate path networks. "There are quite a few beautiful trails and waterfalls to see," reports Louis R., who found the area "great for weekend or week-long camping."
Swimming in natural settings: The swimming areas at Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provide alternatives to typical pool settings. One camper described it as the "Best swimming experience ever," while another appreciated how "the lake is beautiful and clean" despite the $15 fee to use paddleboards or kayaks.
Field sports and group activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated recreation fields. At Brookside Campground, visitors note the "large activities field" with "some things for kids to do." The sports areas typically remain open until sunset, with softball fields and open spaces for informal games available without reservation.
What Campers Like
Platform tent sites: The raised platforms at October Mountain State Forest Campground provide practical advantages beyond comfort. According to one camper: "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection" during rain storms.
Privacy levels: Site selection significantly affects the camping experience. At Waubeeka Family Campground, the tent area is described as "a small dirt cul-de-sac off to the side between some trailers and the bathrooms. Honestly not terrible though as behind is all woods and when you are in that section you do have an OK level of isolation and natural surroundings."
Clean facilities: Modern shower facilities remain a priority for glampers. One visitor to Spacious Skies Woodland Hills noted "Very nice bathrooms and showers, and my dog loved the dog park." While another camper at Lake Taghkanic confirms: "Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is."
What You Should Know
Site selection matters: The camping experience varies significantly based on specific site location. At October Mountain, one reviewer warns: "What site you get makes all the difference. There are many, I would say most, sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open. Just plopped next to someone on the grass. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
Weekend crowds: The proximity to metropolitan areas impacts midweek versus weekend experiences. "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," notes one camper at Taconic State Park. "Not all, but some other campers were less than considerate of others."
Seasonal variations: Camping conditions change throughout the operating season. Early visitors to October Mountain in May reported: "For some, the strange people who haunt certain grounds are a plus. For the rest of us, they are just a regular feature. Being some of the first people to hit a campground like this one early in the season certainly has benefits. For one, the bathrooms are cleeean as hail."
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming options: Lake Taghkanic offers family-friendly swimming areas. "They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits," one visitor notes, adding that "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low."
Wildlife awareness: Black bears inhabit the camping areas around Copake Falls. At White Pines Campsites, one camper reported: "We and several other neighboring campers spied a pretty big black bear not far enough away in the late morning hours." Proper food storage in approved containers is mandatory at all sites.
Entertainment considerations: Lone Oak Camp Sites provides structured children's programming. "Big fun for kids and adults. Two big pools, store, bar for adults with live entertainment. Tons of kids activities going on all day," reports one family. Weekend activities typically run through 9 PM with quieter conditions during weekdays.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electrical service differs between campgrounds. At Waubeeka Family Campground, a camper observed the "tent area is a small dirt cul-de-sac off to the side" while "behind is all woods," creating a more natural setting than many RV-focused facilities.
Terrain challenges: Many sites feature uneven terrain requiring careful positioning. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, one RVer noted: "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are." Bringing additional leveling blocks is advised, especially for larger rigs.
Dump station access: Waste management facilities vary in availability and condition. A White Pines visitor reported: "We had been Boondocking for a week prior to arriving and needed to dump our tank before pulling into our site. While we were dumping our gray tank, the dump clogged." Most campgrounds offer on-site dump stations, though some charge additional fees for use.
