Copake Falls camping sites sit at approximately 700 feet elevation in the Taconic Mountain range where New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut converge. The region features deciduous forest with mixed hardwoods and pines, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Most established campgrounds near Copake Falls require advanced reservations during summer months when temperatures average 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night.
What to do
Hike to Bash Bish Falls: Access this 60-foot waterfall via a moderate 1.5-mile trail from Taconic State Park. "Great trails around it. Would come back," notes Priscilla M. from Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park.
Swim in designated areas: Lake Taghkanic State Park offers a clean swimming beach with lifeguards. "The lake is beautiful and clean. Expect to pay $15 fee to use your paddleboards/kayaks. Worth every penny," shares Mellisa T. from Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Explore dispersed camping options: For more solitude, hike into Mount Washington State Forest. "You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, there's quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit of privacy," explains Kay D. about Alander Trail Campground.
Visit nearby waterfalls: Several camping areas provide access to regional waterfalls. "There's a sheer drop-off of hundreds of feet spreading out into a massive valley scene below. We then headed to the direction of Sages Ravine," describes Tina D. about hiking from Laurel Ridge.
What campers like
Tent platforms at multiple campgrounds: Many sites feature raised wooden platforms. "The sites had a large platform (enough room for one very large tent or 2-3 smaller tents), a fire pit, and picnic table," reports Christina M. about Copake Falls Area.
Clean swimming facilities: "Two lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of," writes Erin B. about North-South Lake Campground.
Variety of accommodation options: Campgrounds offer diverse lodging from tent sites to cabins. "This was our first camping trip with our RV," mentions Carmine B. about Copake Camping Resort.
Bear boxes for food storage: Safety features for wildlife encounters are available. "They also have bear boxes at each site! Although we were the only campers at the time the area was immaculate and not one piece of trash on the ground anywhere!" shares Liz P. about Alander Trail Campground.
What you should know
Weekend crowding: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. "This was a truly great campground, but its proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," warns John E. about Taconic State Park.
Lean-to shelters on hiking trails: Some backcountry sites offer simple structures. "Brassie Brook has a small lean-to as well as about 4/5 campsites located all around. Firepits, toilets but that's about it. Leave NO Trace!" advises Nora S. from Brassie Brook Shelter.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate May through October. "It was cold in the 50s and down to 40s late at night (this was OCT)," shares Tina D. about Laurel Ridge Campground.
Changing management at some locations: Some campgrounds have transitioned ownership. "This was our first time staying since it was no longer a KOA. The concrete patio sites once nicely maintained with gravel, woodchips and flowers were now just some flowers and weeds," notes April L. about Copake Camping Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas designed for children. "There was a very large open grassy field for play/sports, a playground and life guarded portion of the lake for swimming," says Christina M. about Taconic State Park.
Playgrounds and recreation: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Copake Falls include family amenities. "Outdoor pool, horseshoes, mini golf, outdated playground, Washer/dryers, game room. Nice store with good prices," describes Reddy47 about Copake Camping Resort.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds organize regular activities. "Great family oriented with plenty of kids activities to keep the little ones busy," explains Ashley A. from Lone Oak Camp Sites.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites away from main areas for better family experiences. "A lot of complaints that up front the sites were too close together and this was true, but more towards the back was more spacious and private sites," advises John E. about Taconic State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies: Check specific site amenities before booking. "No electric hookups, but plenty of water and tent sites are available with very large platforms," notes Erin B. about Taconic State Park.
Campground layout considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access. "They also have a tendency to close one of the main roads in the campground for cornhole tournaments which they'd have plenty of room for without closing the road. This closure then means anyone checking in may have to navigate through a really tight seasonal area to access their site," warns April L. about Copake Camping Resort.
Site dimensions: Verify your site can accommodate your rig. "This campground is large and has a variety of sites to choose from. It has a large field for seasonal and large RVs to small wooded sites for tents," explains Natalie N. about Lone Oak Camp Sites.
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