Welcome to Copake, New York

Copake Memorial Park on Mt. View Road, just down from the Town Hall, was dedicated in 1983 and has been serving the community for almost 25 years. It provides a wonderful area for outdoor activities with tennis courts, little league baseball fields, a basketball court, children's playground and a skateboard area. The park includes a large pavilion for community activities and family gatherings. Be sure to check the Events Calendar for current activities.

ROELIFF JANSEN COMMUNITY PARK is the most recent park added to our area.
It straddles State Route 22 just south of the intersection of routes 22 and 23 in Hillsdale. These 300 acres invite you to fly kites, hike trails, have a garden, enjoy the views, the Roe-Jan Kill and the dog run. More than 200 plants have been identified from awls aster to yellow birch. RJCL is open from sunrise to sunset, owned by the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. The Town of Hillsdale manages the park.The park's continued development may be monitored on their website, linked above.

Taconic State Park consists of 5,000 acres, is the oldest state park in the Taconic region and was named as having the best swimming hole by Metroland in 2005. It extends along 11 miles of the Taconic Mountain Range, sharing a border with Massachusetts and Connecticut, and includes part of Copake Falls and all of Rudd Pond in Dutchess County. It features tent and trailer campgrounds, three modern and rustic cabin areas, centrally located restroom and shower facilities and access to many activities: hiking and biking trails, Bash Bish Falls nearby in Massachusetts, Brace Mountain (the highest point in Duchess County), the Iron Works Museum, fishing, swimming, deer and turkey hunting (license required), and in winter cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Bash Bish Falls State Park can be accessed from Copake Falls. It is located in the southwest corner of Massachusetts and contains Massachusetts’ highest single drop waterfall. Nearby are 1356 acre Mount Everett State Forest and 4169 acre Mount Washington State Forest with 30 miles of trails available. The park is open from sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. There are no services so that hikers carry-in and carry-out all needs and trash.

Rheinstrom Hill Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1,037-acre sanctuary located in the southeastern corner of Columbia County in Craryville off route 7 on Cambridge Road. It is a habitat for many bird species: Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, Red-winged Black Birds, Tree Swallow and Hummingbirds. White-tailed Deer, Coyotes, Bobcats and Black Bears have been spotted as well, an enjoyable place for hiking, nature walks and birding. To arrange a visit, contact David Wheeler, Sanctuary Warden, at (518) 325-5203.

            Another site for birding is Buttercup Farm Sanctuary in Stanfordville, northern Duchess County, home to Rough-legged Hawks and Short-eared Owls. Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles winter at nearby Stissing Mountain and can be seen flying over Buttercup.

Lake Taghkanic State Park was named one of the top 100 campgrounds in the nation in 2005. Dr. McRa Livingston donated the park land to the State of New York in 1929. This 1569 acre park is adjacent the Taconic State Parkway, one mile south of the Rt. 82, Ancram exit. It features tent and trailer campsites, cabin and cottage camping facilities, two beaches, picnic grounds and a boat launch. Hiking and biking trails are available. Fishing, hunting, sledding, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, ice-skating, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are seasonally available.

LINKS to more parks in this area: