Camping at Lake Taghkanic

Lake Taghkanic State Park has 60 campsites at the east end of the park: ground sites, raised wooden tent platforms and trailer sites for RVs up to 20 feet. In 2026 the campground is open May 15 to October 25, and sites cost $17 to $24 a night. Book through ReserveAmerica up to nine months ahead, online or at 1-800-456-CAMP. Every site has a picnic table and fire ring, with showers and restrooms nearby.

Site Types and Rates

State Parks lists three kinds of campsite, with 2026 rates:

• Ground sites: $17 to $24 a night, the standard tent site.
• Raised deck platform sites (14 by 16 feet): $20 a night Sunday to Thursday, $24 Friday, Saturday and Sunday/holiday.
• Trailer and RV sites (up to 20 feet): $17 a night Sunday to Thursday, $21 Friday, Saturday and Sunday/holiday.

Add $10 a night for each vehicle beyond two at a site, and $5 a night if you are not a New York resident. ReserveAmerica charges $7.25 to book and $7.25 to change or cancel.

The camping brochure marks platform site P-15 as wheelchair accessible.

What Each Site Has

Each campsite comes with a picnic table and bench and a fire ring, according to the park's camping brochure. Shower buildings, restrooms and water fountains sit in the middle of the camping area. One large tent or two medium tents are allowed per site, and the general brochure caps a site at six people.

How to Reserve

Reservations open up to nine months ahead through ReserveAmerica, the State Parks booking service, at newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com or 1-800-456-CAMP (2267). The park brochure says reservations are not required but strongly recommended, especially for weekends and holidays; without one you risk finding no site. State Parks accepts ReserveAmerica camping gift cards.

Arriving

• Enter at Route 82, especially with a trailer or RV. The Taconic Parkway entrance is cars only. See parking and directions.
• Register at the West Beach office before you set up. Know your reservation number, vehicle details and the names of everyone staying.
• Check in by 9 p.m.
• Park in your site or in Lot 1, the campground lot by the camp store.

The Camp Store

The camp store sits off Parking Lot 1 and is open in season. The brochure lists firewood, ice, worms for fishing, charcoal and lighter fluid, snacks, drinks, ice cream, toiletries, clothing and camping supplies. It takes cash and credit cards. A coin laundry near the west-end cottages is open to campers; get quarters at the park office.

Campground Rules

From the park's camping brochure:

• Quiet hours 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., strictly enforced.
• Small, quiet generators only from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.
• Fires only in the fire rings. Gather only down, dead wood, and no chain saws.
• No nails or spikes in trees, platforms or buildings. Hammocks and clotheslines only when padded.
• Up to two pets per site, leashed (6 feet or shorter) or crated. Pets are not allowed in cabins, cottages, the beach or picnic areas.
• Weapons only with a hunting permit in designated areas in season.

Staff can cancel a permit without refund for bad behavior.

Things to Do From Camp

The green Campground Loop trail (2.09 miles) circles the camping area. The West Beach is a short drive across the park, and the boat house rents rowboats, kayaks and paddleboats; see boating. The park has a recreation hall and playgrounds on both sides of the lake.

Want a Roof?

If a tent is not for you, the park rents rustic cabins in the woods and cottages on the lake. See cabins and cottages.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: tent campers who want a lake and a lifeguarded beach in one park; small trailers; families. Maybe skip if: your RV is longer than 20 feet or needs hookups. Look at Taconic State Park, whose Copake Falls campground takes trailers up to 26 feet (no hookups).