Canopus Lake Beach Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

"A Lake Taghkanic 2.0. Smaller, quieter, no life guard, free parking. There is a tiny cafe above the beach, but fair warning it closes two hours before the beach does. If you want something less populated and quiet, this is the spot. Usually there aren’t a ton of kids here, biggest annoyance was a group at the bbq tables playing their music loud enough for the entire beach to hear. Just a note that if you want to play music, or bring kids, be courteous and keep the volume down. Many come here to escape and be at peace and if you come to disrupt that, it just sucks for everyone around you. Anywho, there is also a trail behind the beach that takes you through the trees. It’s a nice feel to go from being at the beach to on a woodland hike within seconds. Only issue is the lack of attendance. There isn’t anybody monitoring the beach so if anything goes wrong.. Also, there aren’t any garbage cans on the beach. So you have to walk all the way up to toss any trash.. leaving most people to litter.. Update: 1. They have added trash cans. 2. I truly believe all lake beaches should have one day per week for adults only. Kids are cool, but not all of us like to hear their screaming or encounter their splashing and the overall disruptance when all we want a nice day on the beach. Some of us only get one of these days a year.. I’d pay double. All I’m saying."

"This is a great beach to swim out and there are great hikes all around!"

"I LOVE that no music is allowed!!!! I hate going to the beach to be in nature, and all you can hear is someone’s music: foisted on all around. It feels rude. Not allowed here! I also love that this beach is in a state park with trails, a boat dock, and so much more. Really crowded for Labor Day, but the no music thing made it a tiny bit better. These pictures are from across the way, not in the beach it sell or"

"Paid parking with free beach access. The water is fine for swimming but lots of black sand and leafy debris on the water's edge. They have showers and changing rooms. Lots of barbecue places but not umbrellas or chairs to sit so bring your own. No shade on the beach. Very crowded on warm days."