Copake Falls Area and surrounding campgrounds offer tent sites, cabin options, and RV camping in the scenic Taconic Mountain region of eastern New York. The area sits approximately 700 feet above sea level, with terrain characterized by rolling hills, mountain streams, and mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime hours, making it ideal for outdoor recreation from May through October.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: North-South Lake Campground connects to extensive trail networks in the Catskills. "Beautiful area to hike. Quiet off the beaten path," notes one visitor, while another adds that "the marsh trail is absolutely stunning."
Swimming in natural areas: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground features a designated swimming beach with lifeguards. One camper reports, "The swimming there felt really clean and I loved the dock," while another mentions "two lifeguarded swimming areas — a kiddie pool and a deep area with floating dock to jump off of."
Fishing opportunities: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provides pond fishing for families. A reviewer mentions seeing "kids (and adults) fishing, paddling on the lake, swimming in the designated area and sitting/playing on the nice beach."
Exploring state borders: Alander Trail Campground offers backcountry camping with access to the Massachusetts border. "Each spot is easy to find off the trail. They also have bear boxes at each site," reports one hiker who appreciated the primitive camping experience.
What campers like
Renovated facilities: Multiple campgrounds have updated their amenities recently. At Waubeeka Family Campground, "This campground has been renovated over the past few years... They have free paddle board, kayak, pedal boat rentals, and an inflatable water obstacle course."
Proximity to attractions: North-South Lake Campground positions campers near popular destinations. "Located just about a mile from Kaaterskill Falls this campground couldn't be in a better spot," states one review.
Platform tent sites: Platforms provide comfortable camping in variable weather conditions. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection," explains a camper at Lake Taghkanic, who adds that "the lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring."
Campground activities: Copake Camping Resort (formerly Copake KOA) offers structured recreation. "Outdoor pool, horseshoes, mini golf, outdated playground, washer/dryers, game room. Nice store with good prices," mentions one reviewer who found the amenities satisfactory.
What you should know
Weekday vs. weekend crowds: North-South Lake Campground experiences significant variation in visitor numbers. One camper advises, "Always packed, but always beautiful. Awesome access to the Catskill Escaprment trail from here."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October. October Mountain State Forest Campground warns about insects: "This place, at the end of May is positively swarming with mosquitoes and gnats, even in the 2 rainy and cold-ass nights we spent there."
Terrain variations: Site placement affects camping experience. At October Mountain, "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."
Backcountry requirements: For pet friendly camping near Craryville, New York that's more secluded, backcountry options require preparation. At Alander Trail, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Taconic State Park accommodates first-time campers well. "This place is very good for easing on first timers and there were quite a few children so those who are parents should consider this a great place to get kids involved in the outdoors."
Recreational amenities: Spacious Skies Woodland Hills provides structured activities. "Over the weekend they had organized corn hole games and several other ways to get physical and have a blast. They also had a community 'Father's Day' breakfast (fathers ate free!) which was open to all and yummy!"
Quieter camping periods: For dog-friendly camping options near Craryville with fewer crowds, timing matters. "This was a truly great campground, but it's proximity to NYC draws large crowds on weekends," cautions a Taconic camper.
Private bath facilities: North-South Lake offers clean facilities for families. "The bathrooms were clean with three stalls (women). Free showers," notes a visitor who appreciated the maintenance standards.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground offers electric for RVs. One reviewer clarifies, "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins."
Site leveling challenges: Woodland Hills requires careful setup. "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are," mentions one RVer, while another points out "the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow."
Seasonal camping options: For extended stays, some campgrounds accommodate longer-term campers. Woodland Hills "has a large seasonal population but they are super friendly," according to one review.
Site size considerations: North-South Lake accommodates various RV sizes. One camper observed it's "large family friendly campground with all the amenities - boating, showers, great hiking."
Guide
