Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan seasonal lifeguarded Ore Pit Pond swimming at Taconic State Park, with children’s swim tests, the separate wading pool, fees and park alternatives.
Swimming restriction
Ore Pit children 12 and under require swim test; adult accompanies 10 and under in water after passing. No flotation devices including life jackets in Ore Pit. Follow actual seasonal lifeguard operation and rules.
Official sources checked:
Location
A closer look
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
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Ore Pit Pond is the designated seasonal swimming facility in Taconic State Park’s Copake Falls area, reached from Route 344. It is not Bash Bish Falls or every pond and stream in the broader park collection. Use the actual swimming-area signs and lifeguard instructions.
The current park page describes weekend swimming beginning Memorial Day weekend, expanding at the end of June and continuing through Labor Day, generally 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dates depend on lifeguard availability. An open park gate or year-round picnic area does not mean October swimming is available. Confirm current operation before travel.
Children 12 and under must pass a swim test for the Ore Pit. An adult must accompany children 10 and under in the water after they pass. The manager prohibits flotation devices, including life jackets, in the Ore Pit. Use the separate wading pool for non-swimmers and small children under its actual rules; do not replace the test with a flotation toy.
The park offers picnicking, trails and separately booked camping or lodging. Check the appropriate season and service availability for each activity. The current page lists an $8 passenger-car entrance fee during collection periods; camping and pavilion charges are separate.
The manager lists 253 Route 344, Copake Falls, and phone 518-329-3993. Call about staffing, group arrangements or access needs. Do not assume a natural pond edge provides an accessible entry, and do not jump or dive outside the operator’s permitted arrangements.
A hike toward Bash Bish Falls crosses into a different destination and does not extend Ore Pit’s bathing permission. Stay on authorized routes and keep a picnic or trail alternative if the swimming area is not operating.
Read Copake Falls hours, fees and swimming rules and use the current park map for separate excursions.
The gallery shows Ore Pit Pond's docks and buoy lines, a wooded path in the saved park collection and the protected Copake Iron Works furnace. Only the pond scene illustrates the designated seasonal swimming setting. The walking path is not a surveyed water-access route, and the historic furnace is a separate sightseeing stop. Use current lifeguard instructions and the actual swimming schedule; neither attractive water nor a summer photograph confirms an open or suitable swim today.
Use Taconic State Park Copake Falls entrance at 253 Route 344 and follow designated swimming-area signs during current staffed operation. Bash Bish Falls is a separate excursion, not a bathing entrance covered by Ore Pit rules.
Park day use and camping are separate from swimming hours. Lifeguard-dependent dates and swim-test rules govern bathing.
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Ore Pit children 12 and under require swim test; adult accompanies 10 and under in water after passing. No flotation devices including life jackets in Ore Pit. Follow actual seasonal lifeguard operation and rules. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
State park
253 NY-344, Copake Falls, NY 12517
Trails lead past waterfalls & up mountains at this rugged park popular for camping & trout fishing.
State park
35 Valley View Rd, Copake Falls, NY 12517
Campground
133 Farm Rd, Copake, NY 12516
Park
305 Mountain View Rd, Copake, NY 12516
Campground
2236 County Rd 7, Copake, NY 12516
State park
County Rte 5, Austerlitz, NY 12017
State forest spanning 2,018-acres with trails, camping areas, ponds & a hilltop observation cabin.
Public bathroom
Ferry St, Hudson, NY 12534
Use Taconic State Park’s Copake Falls area at 253 Route 344, following the actual swimming-area signs and current park notices.
No. Swimming is seasonal and lifeguarded; the regular schedule runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day with expanded days after late June. Confirm current staffing and dates.
Children 12 and under must pass the Ore Pit test. An adult must accompany children 10 and under in the water after they pass.
No. The manager prohibits flotation devices, including life jackets, in the Ore Pit. Follow lifeguard instructions rather than substitute a device for required ability.
The manager identifies a separate wading-pool area. Check its current operation and rules; it is not the deep Ore Pit swimming area.
The current page lists $8 during vehicle-fee collection periods. Confirm current dates and separate campground or pavilion charges.
Respect protected sites and local rules; no invented cultural associations.
The gallery distinguishes the seasonal Ore Pit swimming docks from a woodland walk and Copake Iron Works history. The path is collection-level park scenery, not a surveyed accessible water approach. Photos do not confirm today's lifeguard coverage, water quality, depth, hours or admission.
Respect property boundaries, use authorized routes and carry out waste.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Managed Taconic camping/lodging requires separate season and reservation checks; pond admission is not an overnight booking.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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