Taconic State Park

New York State Parks have so much to offer not just you and your family, but your dog too! Taconic State Park has dog-friendly trails and campsites so you can take your family pet with you on your family vacation. The park is 5,000 acres of beautiful nature with lots of trails for beginners to experienced hikers along Copake Falls and Rudd Pond. The park is located in New York, but shares borders with Massachusetts and Connecticut, too. 

If you are looking to hike trails in the northern section on the New York side, they range from approximately half a mile to two miles, and on the Massachusetts side, they range from a little over three-quarters of a mile to three miles. On the southern section of the park, the trails range from approximately half a mile to two miles. 

The park's website has detailed trail maps to guide you and your pup on your adventure. You can explore the stunning New York terrain with your dog as long as they are on a leash less than six feet in length. On the trail, your furbaby can follow the scent of other critters or follow the scent of burgers into a campsite. 

At the Copake Falls Campgrounds, dogs are allowed to camp overnight in loop D. Dogs must still be leashed at all times, never left alone, and no more than two dogs to a campsite. Dogs are not allowed in any buildings, such as bathrooms, picnic areas, or other campsites. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and is wearing an ID tag with a license. 

The cost of visiting the Taconic State Park varies based on what you want to do. If you are hiking for the day, you will need to pay for parking or have an Empire Pass. An Empire Pass allows you access to all State Parks in New York and costs $80 for the year. 

Without the pass, parking varies season to season but is approximately $7 per car at Taconic State Park. If you want to camp overnight, the rates range depending on your needs. A campsite is $15-$22 per night; a cabin is approximately $500/week; a cottage is approximately $700/week.