Lake Taghkanic State Park is a 1,568-acre park offering a large beach for swimming, paddling and fishing on 156-acre Lake Taghkanic in Ancram, New York. Boat rentals are available as are campsites, cabins and cottages for visitors who wish to stay longer. The cottages are fully-equipped with bathroom, shower, kitchen, refrigerator, stove, eating and cooking utensils and hot and cold running water.

 

The park has two large playgrounds, a baseball field, a volleyball net on the beach and open grassy areas. Picnic tables and fixed-position charcoal grills are found throughout the entire park and a large, covered pavilion is also available for rent. Each of the picnic areas has a restroom building.

The main park building houses offices, restrooms, recreation hall and concessions. A separate, nearby building offers rentals of kayaks, paddle boats and rowboats. Guests can bring their own flotation devices and depart from designated launch sites. Gas-powered motors are not permitted and all boats must have the necessary permit.

 

Ten trails totaling over 8 miles are available for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice skating and ice fishing are also allowed once appropriate conditions are met for ice thickness.

 

Historically, the lake was once called Lake Charlotte. The name was changed when the land owner gave the land to New York State to be made into a park on the condition the lake be renamed Lake Taghkanic.