Ore Pit Pond was created by the flooding of a deep 19th-century iron ore mine, resulting in its distinctively cold and deep water.
The park provides direct access to the South Taconic Trail, which features the highest point in Connecticut at the Mount Frissell summit.
The ruins of the Copake Iron Works represent one of the few surviving mid-19th-century industrial sites in the Hudson Valley.
The park's namesake waterfall, Copake Falls, is located near the trailhead and is fed by the Bash Bish Brook watershed.
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail runs through the park, repurposing the former New York and Harlem Railroad corridor.
Taconic State Park's Copake Falls area sits at the base of the Taconic Mountains along the border of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The landscape is defined by the Bash Bish Brook, which creates the namesake Copake Falls waterfall. The park contains a segment of the South Taconic Trail, providing access to high-elevation vistas including Alander Mountain and Mount Frissell. Historical ironworks structures, including the remains of an 1845 blast furnace, are preserved within the park grounds. Recreational offerings include a designated swimming area at Ore Pit Pond, which is a flooded former iron mine. Over 100 campsites are available, ranging from tent sites to rustic cabins. The park serves as a gateway to the multi-state Harlem Valley Rail Trail. The terrain varies from level forest paths near the brooks to steep, rocky ascents for mountain hiking.
The stone bridge overlooking the Copake Iron Works ruins with the waterfall in the background.
Check trail conditions before arrival, as steep sections of the South Taconic Trail can be slippery after rainfall.
Pack water shoes if planning to visit Ore Pit Pond, as the shoreline near the iron mine pit can be rocky.
Arrive early on summer weekends, as parking at the main trailhead fills rapidly.
Attempting to hike to the summit of Alander Mountain without proper footwear or sufficient water, as trails are steep and exposed.
Camping facilities are seasonal and typically close in late autumn, reopening in the spring.
Carry-in, carry-out waste policy; pets must be leashed at all times.
