Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, also known as Fahnestock State Park, is a nature lover’s paradise in New York's Hudson Valley. Home to a large beach on Canopus Lake, picnic areas, and plenty of hiking trails, there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Activities include hiking, birding, boating, fishing, and hunting. With access to two lakes and four ponds, the park is excellent for water recreation. Anglers will be in their element at the park with the chance to fish for smallmouth bass, perch, pickerel, perch, and rainbow trout at any time of the year. Rowboats and kayaks are also available for those who want to explore the park from the water. Various winter sports can be enjoyed at Fahnestock Winter Park. This seasonal section of the park is home to 13 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing during the winter months. Campers can look forward to environmental programs at Taconic Outdoor Education Center as well as Saturday evening movie nights during peak weekends. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet can find a place to park in over 40 sites within the park's campground. Guests will find a picnic table and fire ring at each site, along with restrooms and concessions nearby. So, what are you waiting for? Pack up the campervan and head to New York for a camping trip you won't soon forget.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is located along Putney NY-301 in New York. The park can be found on both sides of the road. Winter weather can often hinder plans, so be sure to check out the local road conditions before heading out. Once inside the park, there are no strict driving restrictions.
If you're looking for an exciting day trip, Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park are both under a 30-minute drive to the southwest of the park just across the Hudson River. Parking is available within the park for day visitors, and if you’re staying overnight, you can also park your car or RV in the campground.
The campground at Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is home to a total of 75 campsites. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit and access to a restroom and shower facilities. There is also a camping area with 42 spots for RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. However, there are no hookups or dump stations available.
Facilities include a beach, boat launch area, boat rentals, and a nature trail. A picnic area is available with picnic tables and shelters, and a concession provides firewood and snacks. Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is pet-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, and rabies vaccination is required.
Avid bird watchers and casual nature observers alike will find pleasure in the tranquility of the forest. A variety of winter birds migrate toward Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. Keep your eyes peeled for crossbills, owls, goshawks, grosbeaks, and a whole lot more. Don’t forget to pack your binoculars and birding books along in the campervan!
Don't forget to pack the blaze orange along in the rig if you're you're coming to the park to hunt. Hunters can aim at wild turkeys with a crossbow, shotgun, and muzzle throughout different times of the year. A permit is required to hunt in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, and hunters will have to leave the park by sunset. Hunting permits and hunting zone maps are available from the park office.
The fun doesn't stop when the snow comes to Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. Fahnestock Winter Park is a must-see if you're in the area during the off-season. When it gets cold enough for the powder to stick, over 13 miles of trails are groomed for sledding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. If you didn't tow your own winter toys along in the campervan, rentals are available for skis, snowshoes, and snow tubes. Anglers enjoy ice fishing for bass, pickerel, perch, brook, and rainbow trout once a healthy layer of ice covers the pond. If you need a place to warm up, a cafe is located nearby and offers hot food, snacks, and drinks.
Canopus Lake, rigged bluffs, and densely forested areas all collide to create the perfect backdrop for professional and hobby photographers alike. The autumn months beckon visitors from near and far to capture the scenic area when the fall foliage is at its peak at Fahnestock State Park. Serene lake views can be caught on camera from various fishing docks around the park, or from the lake itself via boat. The park's trail system offers a tranquil forest setting, and if you tread lightly enough, you may be able to snap some of the park's full-time residents! Wherever you wander, one thing is for certain— you won't want to be without your camera.
Anglers love Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park because of its excellent fishing opportunities all year round. Bring your fishing rod along in the Sprinter and enjoy fishing for bass, pickerel, perch, brook, and rainbow trout in the two lakes or four ponds inside the park. Live bait worms are sold at the concession stand. All freshwater fishing requires a fishing permit from the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation.
Canopus Lake and its large beach form the centerpiece of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. In addition to swimming (with lifeguards available in the peak season), campers and day visitors can fish for all sorts of fish here all year. Rowboats and kayaks are available for rent on-site by the hour or for an entire day. If you’re planning on bringing your own watercraft along on this RV sojourn, you will need to get a regional boating permit from the park office.
The Nature Trail at Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is a great way to spot all sorts of local birds and wildlife. Don’t forget your binoculars in the pop-up! During peak season, park staff also organize guided nature hikes and activities to learn more about the park's surrounding environment. An equestrian trail is also available for those looking to see the park via horseback.
Perhaps the biggest draw to Fahnestock State Park is Canopus Lake. During the warm summer months, swimming is the name of the game along the sandy shore. Cool off after a hike in the clear water, or soak up some rays on the scenic shoreline. Many families enjoy picnics near the lake, and tables are sprinkled along the beach for that purpose. Lifeguards are present, but an adult should always accompany children near the water. The beach is open every day from sun up to sundown from June through August.
