In the years 1928-29 the Taconic State Park Commission considered the suitability of Lake Charlotte for park purposes. This lake was given to the Commission together with some uplands by D. McRa Livingston providing the lake be renamed Taghkanic. In 1933, with the advent of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a camp was established and with the appointment of capable carpenters and masons to oversee the work, members of the CCC built the East Beach bathhouse, the beach, camping and cabin area and the water tower.

Today, two spacious beaches, the East Beach and the West Beach, with fully equipped bathing facilities, secluded picnic areas, informal game areas, and boat rentals for rowing or fishing, round out a day's stay at Lake Taghkanic State Park.