Taconic State Park

Taconic State Park is located along 16 miles of the Taconic Mountain Range, sharing a border with Massachusetts and Connecticut. Two developed areas, Copake Falls and Rudd Pond, offer an extensive trail system with terrain that varies from easy to challenging, offering spectacular views.

The extensive campground at Copake Falls has sites to accommodate campers seeking a more rustic experience, as well as those seeking a more "home like" experience. There are 46 tent sites, 24 tent platforms, 36 trailer sites and three cabin areas for a total of 106 campsites and 16 cabins. The trailer sites allow trailers up to 30 feet in length, but do not offer hook up facilities. Centrally located restroom and shower facilities are located in all campsite areas. The cabin areas vary in number of cabins, location and size. The smallest cabins accommodate up to 4 people and the largest 6 people. All cabins have electricity, lights, hot and cold running water, a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove, a dining area, a picnic table, and outdoor camp fire ring with grill. The "Ironworkers" cabins are equipped with private showers and flush toilets; campers in the "Bash Bish" cabins utilize a centrally located shower facility with flush toilets. Some cabins in the Greenwich Cabin Area are wheelchair accessible and offer extra amenities such as a microwave, sofa, shower, dishwasher and cable television hookup.

There are plenty of activities for campers, as well as day visitors to enjoy in the oldest State Park in the Taconic Region. Bike or stroll along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, hike to Bash Bish Falls, just over the Massachusetts border or up Brace Mountain, the highest point in Dutchess County. Stop at the newly created Iron Works museum to learn about the iron industry at the former site of Copake Iron Works, established in 1845. Fresh water fishing enthusiasts will delight in hooking brown trout and other fish in the Bash Bish Brook or rainbow trout in the old iron ore mine pit.

Taconic State Park is appropriate for all Scouts.  Cars are parked at the individual campsites, potable water is convenient and bathroom facilities are walking distance.  This trip includes a bike ride along the Harlem Valley River Trail and zip lining at the nearby Catamount Aerial Adventure Park, followed by a pizza before heading home.