Lake Taghkanic State Park RV & Campground Guide
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The Taconic State Parkway winds its way northward into Columbia County in upstate New York, and Lake Taghkanic State Park is just off of it. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the park in 1933 on land the state had received from benefactor D. McRae Livingston in 1929. Originally, the lake was called Lake Charlotte, but Livingston insisted that it be renamed Lake Taghkanic as part of the donation deal. People like to swim and hunt with a bow in the surrounding woods during the applicable seasons. You can also hike various trails in the park, play a game of basketball, volleyball, or baseball, and stay overnight in the campground.
Nearby Cities:
Pine Plains, NY
Germantown, NY
Red Hook, NY
Rhinebeck, NY
Spring 46-70 F
Summer 78-83 F
Fall 50-73 F
Winter 14-39 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Taghkanic State Park
Campground Accommodations
Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 20 feet
Other amenities: Laundry, picnic tables, fire rings, concession stand, showers, playground, picnic pavilions, restrooms
Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground
If you plan on spending your time in this state park, then staying at the campground offers a major convenience. There are plenty of trails and activities to enjoy the lake during your visit. In the winter, ice fishing and ice skating are also permitted.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Boat rental, swimming beaches, hiking trails, and playgrounds
Copake Camping Resort
If you are looking for a campground that your entire family will enjoy, then Copake Camping Resort has a lot going for it. It has themed weekends and activities like line dancing, karaoke, and ice cream socials. It even has dog parks for your pet to enjoy.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Heated pool, mini-golf, an arcade, basketball court, and playgrounds
Waubeeka Family Campground
Waubeeka Family Campground is a memorable place that you will come back to visit year after year. You will be able to enjoy themed events like Spring Fling, Christmas in July, Water Wars, and Happy Haunted Halloween Weekend. There is also a giant chessboard, a giant waterslide, and a giant jumping pillow to enjoy.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Swimming beaches, paddle boats, basketball court, bocce ball court, horseshoe pits, volleyball, mini-golf, ping pong, fishing
Interlake RV Park
Interlake RV Park is a family-owned campground that has been in business for more than 50 years. There are plenty of attractions nearby to enjoy, including historic sites like Vanderbilt Mansion and the home of Franklin Roosevelt. The campground is large enough to accommodate big rigs as well.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Fishing pond and lake, boat rentals, swimming pool, playground, volleyball, and horseshoes
What to Do at
Lake Taghkanic State Park
Hunters can bow hunt in the woods surrounding Lake Taghkanic State Park, but firearms are not allowed. Contact the park or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for more information. Boating and swimming on the lake are two fun activities to keep cool during the summer.
Lake Taghkanic State Park is as fun in cold weather as it is in warm weather. If the ice on the lake is thick enough, then you can bring your hockey stick and play shinny. Kids can play on the playground, and the grassy sports fields provide lots of space for athletics.
Inside Lake Taghkanic State Park
Whether you are looking to explore the forest or you are interested in spending time by the lake, there is something at this park for everyone. You can enjoy the swimming beach or rent a boat to take out on the water in the park, which is perfect for anglers who prefer to fish in deeper water. There are sports fields to play ball with other visitors and a few playgrounds that the kids will adore. You can also bike, hike, and ski the trails when the weather is right. In the winter, ice skating and ice fishing are also popular in the park. Hunting by bow and arrow is also permitted during hunting season.
Hiking
There are four easy hiking trails in Lake Taghkanic State Park. These trails range in length from 1.2 miles to 5.3 miles. Three of the trails are loops, and the fourth one is an out-and-back trail. They're all fairly flat, so they're great for all ages as well as for biking.
Stargazing
Lake Taghkanic State Park is one of the areas used by the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association for stargazing, so you can certainly find someplace to set up your telescope or just have a seat on a blanket under the stars. Check the weather before you visit, though, to see the best nights for stargazing.
Flora and Fauna
Deer are about the biggest game you'll see in Lake Taghkanic State Park. Wild turkeys are also known to travel through the area, and you may hunt both of these in the proper season. The lake is home to many species of dragonflies during the summer months.
Geocaching
There are at least 45 geocaches in the Taconic area of upstate New York. At least one of them is in Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Fishing
You need up-to-date fishing licenses to fish in Lake Taghkanic, and when you cast your line, you will be able to hook chain pickerel, bass, and other species. There are credible reports of both bass and chain pickerel of more than two feet in length from Lake Taghkanic. You can also catch chubs, golden shiners, eels, killifish, crappies, and pumpkinseeds. If the ice is thick enough during the winter, then you can also go ice fishing.
Boating
You need a boating permit to use Lake Taghkanic, and you can get one on-site from the staff from the middle of May until the middle of October. Although you may use motorboats, they must be boats with electric motors only.
Nature Watching
Although the campground closes annually after the middle of October, the park, as with all of the places in the Adirondack Mountains, is resplendent with colors during the autumn. Bring your camera and enjoy the view, which has been described as unparalleled in nature. Birding is popular during migrations, and you can spot thrashers, warblers, owls, and other songbirds and birds of prey.
Swimming
Swimming is very popular during the late spring and summer. There are areas that are roped off for safety, and there are also many lifeguard stations. Note, however, that lifeguards are only on duty from mid-May until Labor Day.
How to Get to
Lake Taghkanic State Park
From East Fishkill and all points south, proceed north along the Taconic State Parkway. Take the exit to Lake Taghkanic Road. Follow Lake Taghkanic Road all the way to Lake Taghkanic State Park.
From the west bank of the Hudson River, proceed to the town of Catskill. Then, cross the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Alternatively, you can cross the Hudson on the Mid-Hudson Bridge, which goes to Poughkeepsie, or the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, which leads to Rhinecliff. As you reach the eastern bank of the Hudson River across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, proceed east on Route 23, which becomes Route 9. Take Route 9 south to Hannaford. From there, take Route 82 south until you reach the Taconic State Parkway. Follow that north to the Lake Taghkanic Exit.
Entering Lake Taghkanic State Park
The day-use parking fee at Lake Taghkanic State Park is $10.
Lake Taghkanic State Park Per Vehicle (1-4 adults) : $10.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Lake Taghkanic State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Taghkanic State Park
Any time of year is good to visit Lake Taghkanic State Park. Spring and summer are good for fishing and swimming, fall is outstanding for the colors of the trees, and winter is good for snowshoeing, skating, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Deer are plentiful, and so are birds and small animals. Harmless insects like colorful dragonflies are common during the summer.
Yes, there are eight RV-specific rustic campsites in Lake Taghkanic State Park.
Reservations are not required, but because there are only eight spots for small RVs, it's highly recommended to have them. You can make them as late as 3 p.m. on the date of your arrival, and you can make them as early as nine months beforehand. The RV sites cost $22 per night, and there is an additional charge of $5 per night for nonresidents.
Yes, pets are permitted at Lake Taghkanic State Park. Their leashes must be no more than six feet long, and if you leave them at your campsite for any reason, then they have to remain in your vehicle or be in their own tent. They are not permitted in the buildings or on the beach.