The waterfall is in MA but this trail starts in NY

Location: Copake Falls
Distance: 1.5 miles, option to add Iron Works
Skill Level: easy, good for little walkers
Elevation Gain: 300′
Type of Hike: out-and-back
Trail Condition: road, rocky
Wow Factor: 60′ waterfall
Note: paid parking seasonally

How to get there: From 22, head east on 344.  Enter Taconic State Park.  Just over half a mile into the park you will see a large parking area on the right.  Here’s a street view.

Address to get you close: 214 New York 344, Copake Falls, NY 12517

 

Summary: From the parking lot, head east toward the far end of the lot and up the wide, woods road.  It is a very gradual but unrelenting trek up to the falls. At about half a mile, you’ll hit the NY/MA border.  Take a picture with the sign!

In a quarter of a mile, you’ll come to the top of the fall.  There is a guard rail so you can safely take in the highest, single drop waterfall in MA.  Head down the stairs for a closer look.  Feel free to explore down stream but there are some tight squeezes and some rock scrambling.

This is a very busy spot so take a break and people-watch.  You can’t safely get down to the water with while babywearing but if you come with someone, take turns getting close, being careful of slippery, wet rocks and steep drops.  There is no swimming allowed but you could dip your toes in the year round freezing water.

When you’ve had your fill, head back the way you came.

Once back in the parking lot, you can extend your hike a mile to the Iron Works.  There is a small deli with fried mac and cheese right at the entrance of the park and a wide grassy area to picnic next to the rail trail.

 

Facilities: port-a-potty
Hunting:
Dogs: on a leash not more than 10 feet

Map