After researching many campgrounds, we finally decided on Copake Falls. It was short notice, so most campgrounds were booked for the weekend, but this was one of the few with availability. That should have been my first clue....
Our location was in B section, where we could not believe how close the campsites are to each other - with hardly any trees in between.They took out all the shrubs and flowers/weeds and only a few tall trees are still standing. Absolutely no privacy between sites. I think the A section is even worse...The campsites are also on a hill with no level ground, so that your tables/chairs and tents are all on a slant! My young son fell backwards in his chair on a large root and really hurt himself. The table was then also on a slant and all foods, cups kept sliding down... Needless to say, cooking on a slant is a real pleasure and I won't even mention the sleeping in the tents!
When we awoke the next morning i discovered tons of Daddy-Longleg spiders above me!! Thankfully they were on the outside of the tent, but still a disgusting feeling. My son counted and there 27 of them on the roof of our tent. The bathrooms were overrun with them, but then they mixed in well with all the rust on the walls. Those bathrooms are in desperate need of renovation. The bathrooms and showers down below are pretty new and clean and work very well.
I read one review which said the employees were unfriendly and not helplful. We had the complete opposite experience. They were very helpful and offered advice and when I lost my key to the lugagge carrier on the roof, the ranger helped us with drilling the lock and getting us tools. The lifeguards were also very friendly.
The lake is very cool, but for those with young kids, there is no wading into the lake. There is a dock and then a jump or dive into 8 feet of water.... There is a wading pool no more than 1 1/2 feet deep, for real little kids, but nothing inbetween for the rest. That wasn't a problem for us, but I can see it being somewhat of a problem for others.
The hike to BASH BISH Falls was great, but with so many other great campgrounds in NY State, I would not stay here again....