Taconic State Park-Rudd Pond

Rudd pond is beautiful BUT some not all staff were very rude. I can say two-three members were very kind and should not be apart of that group. There were a few things I was not pleased with. They emailed us 8 days before our stay to let us know they closed the lake for swimming by that time there was no open campsite at the sister location. Also the rules were very strict. Spoke with a few of the other groups staying in other campsites and they said the same thing ( they also were not bothered by our group). There were a lot of different types of biting bugs but i only had 2 mosquito bites. The others bites were just painful without any red itchy marks. The shower house was clean and so were the bathrooms. There was no toilet paper one night and it was unfortunate to walk all the way back to our camp site for some. Our family made the best of this getaway but did not feel welcomed by ta male employees, we felt harassed every hour. Twice the employee came to our campsite at 5pm and 6pm to tell us we need to keep it down at quiet time; quiet time was at 10pm. Its great that they patrol the grounds to make sure its secure but the trucks do get annoying going by. The row boat was great and the pond was calm. The stars were beautiful at night if you can go into an open field, I actually saw a shooting star. Also the picnic area was well equipped with tables, grill and a playground near by. I don't think I would come back here. Maybe I'll try their sister location because most of the campsites are on a hill. They have platform for the tent but I'm very clumsy. I sat on a hill in a lawn chair trying to warm up by the campfire I caused myself to fall one(maybe twice lol). I would suggest they repave some of the roads to prevent smaller cars from putting a hole in the muffler.
8 years ago (29-08-2017)

I am not sure why there are people who are writing bad things about this place. Sure it needs a little TLC but what do you expect? it is the outdoors after all. The pond's water does have some sort of plants at the bottom of the water on certain areas but let me tell you about the positives. the staff were all very friendly. The site was built away from the main road which gives you a lot of peace and quiet. We had a great safe and quiet weekend. I went there with 8 kids and not once did any of them tell me they were bored or wanted to go back home as this was their first time camping. We had fun at the pond, the playground and at our own sites. The showers were small but were clean. The restrooms were clean except for a few bugs, again what did you expect we were outdoors, it wasn't anything unbearable or even scary though. throughout the night we bought a few candles, repellents for ourselves and the tents as well as a coleman lantern that sprayed to keep the bugs away. We were fine all night tbh.
8 years ago (15-08-2017)

The staff members are very nice however I rated this camping ground one star due to the excruciating experience because of all the wild mosquitoes and bugs. Camping platforms were too crowded next to each other. In the woman's bathrooms there were only two shower heads in the whole facility for the campers to use. Bathroom floors were so muddy and dirty due to overcrowding campers packed into a small area. They were also infested with bugs and again... so many mosquitoes. Like i understand its in the woods and there should naturally be bugs but yo these bugs were crazy infested in that area. There should be more cleaner shower rooms because not gunna lie it was such an understandably bad time. Also the grass areas may be inflicted with poison ivy as many of my friends and I have gotten rashes and reactions similar to poison ivy induced symptoms. Slopes of the grass areas also made this trip very disappointing because of the sudden jutted angled directions of land. I've been camping in other areas before and it has never been this bad, I wish I could say more positive and nicer things but honestly this camping area needs a make over.
8 years ago (06-07-2017)

I love rudd pond don't let one person's bad experience ruin yours go and see for yourself
8 years ago (15-09-2017)

The last time I was camping here was in the mid 1970s and I loved it went fishing swimming and hiking through the woods to the old rock quarry. I remember one of the park Rangers his nickname was Satch because he looked like Satch from the bowery boys movies. Moved to Charlotte NC in 1979 and every once in awhile I'll dream about Rudd pond lots of pleasant family memories,hope to visit Rudd pond again someday:)
8 years ago (21-03-2017)