The Copake Falls area sits at the base of the Taconic Mountains with elevations ranging from 650 to 2,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates. Many campgrounds in this region feature natural water features, from babbling brooks to swimming ponds, with camping options typically available from May through mid-October. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, making off-season camping uncommon.
What to do
Swimming areas for all ages: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers a clean, sandy beach with designated swimming areas. "Great beach, 5 minute drive from campground. Clean facilities, with a rec room for rainy days. A camp store with all the supplies you might have forgotten," notes Kurt S. The park also requires a $15 fee for personal watercraft use.
Fishing opportunities: Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park provides shore fishing access with largemouth bass as a primary catch. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," according to Rosie R.
Stargazing spots: The low light pollution in the region creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," reports Seth K. from Lake Taghkanic State Park. Weeknight stays typically offer quieter conditions for stargazing.
What campers like
Platform tent sites: Copake Falls Area — Taconic State Park features raised wooden platforms at many tent sites. "This campground was one of the best I've been to. They have both platform and dirt tent sites, all sites come equipped with fire pits," notes Seth K. These platforms keep tents elevated during wet weather.
Swimming docks: Several parks feature swimming areas with floating docks. "The lake is beautiful and clean," reports Mellisa T. about Lake Taghkanic State Park. Another camper notes, "Kiddie pond, children's playground, wonderful hiking trails. Pond for fishing & swimming."
Proximity to towns: Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park offers access to nearby shopping and services. "The town of Hudson is also close by if you're looking to get some of the comforts of a town while you're out and about," says Seth K. Many campers appreciate Walmart access approximately 25 minutes away for supplies.
What you should know
Booking timing: Reservations for rv sites near Copake Falls, New York should be made early, especially for peak foliage season. "This place can book up during camping season in the Northeast so make sure to book early in advance," advises Asher K. about Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground.
Site privacy varies: Site layouts and privacy differ significantly across campgrounds. "Sites are close together, some are sunnier than others," notes one camper about Interlake RV Park. At Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, "sites on top of each other. They definitely cater to people who bought into their campground."
Shower facilities: Bathroom and shower quality varies by location and time of season. "Superb. Quiet, clean enough and well worth the price. Showers are hot and there's great water pressure. The cleanliness of the bathrooms depends on how busy the campground is," reports Perrin M.
Seasonal considerations: Most camping facilities close after mid-October. Several campgrounds note "May to October 15" as their standard operating season, with limited or no services available outside these dates.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Interlake RV Park & Campground offers family-focused amenities. "It was Christmas in July while I was there, with decorations and planned activities to accompany it," notes Jean C. Scheduled events typically run weekends during peak season.
Playground access: Prospect Mountain Campground provides several child-friendly features. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," says Sandra S. Many campgrounds offer dedicated kid areas.
Cabin options: For families new to camping, several parks offer cabin rentals. "Labor Day Weekend stay. A lot of people! Very nice beach but packed. Huge parties at the picnic area. If your okey with all that then it was a great time. Cottage was great besides all the bees," reports Taylor P. at Lake Taghkanic.
Swimming safety: Most parks with swimming areas provide lifeguards during peak season only. "Big lake with swimming and boating as well as many hiking trails," notes Mary-Kate L. Designated swimming areas typically operate between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Brook N Wood Family Campground offers various RV site options. "The C section (30 amp) has some shade trees and all grassy sites. Shared hook ups (two sites on one pole) at the rear of the sites with the exception of sewer," notes April L. Site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds.
Electrical considerations: RVers should be prepared for potential electrical issues during peak demand periods. Several campgrounds provide 30/50-amp service options, with 50-amp typically more stable during high-demand periods.
Winter storage: Most rv sites near Copake Falls close during winter months, requiring seasonal campers to relocate. "We did a three month seasonal Site. Staff is super nice and helpful. We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake," reports John M. at Prospect Mountain Campground.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain feature unlevel sites. "Our site was even and easy to level on," notes Ian R. at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley, though experiences vary significantly by specific site assignment.
