Best of the Hudson Valley Swimming Holes and Beaches
Looking for a place to cool off this summer? Let nature be your guide!
HVP staff
Cool down and take the family swimming in the great outdoors! The Hudson Valley has so many beautiful lakes to offer, many of which have been made into private and state parks available for public day use and camping.
Dutchess County
Copake Falls. Route 344, Copake Falls. 518-329-3993. Copake is part of Taconic State Park and located along 16 miles of the Taconic Mountain Range, sharing a border with Massachusetts and Connecticut. Copake Falls offers swimming opportunities at a designated swimming area with a dock in Ore Pit Pond and at the adjacent kiddie pool. The small but deep Ore Pit Pond is a popular destination due to its excellent water quality. Swimming is permitted when lifeguards are on duty-- floatation devices are not allowed. Other activities include fishing, hiking and camping. Amenities: showers, toilets, lockers and wading pool.
Beacon River Pool. Red Flynn Drive, Beacon. 845-784-1790. Tuesday-Sunday, 12 Noon to 6pm, July-Labor Day, weather permitting. The River Pool is a rainbow colored circular floating pool with a netted bottom. It is securely installed in the Hudson River, located off the north shore of Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park Other activities include park, picnic, playground and only steps away from Riverfront Park.
Red Wing Park. 11 Old Farm Rd., Hopewell Jct. Red Wing Lake is a town park open to town residents and non-residents from bordering towns which are Beekman, Fishkill, Lagrange, Pawling and Wappingers. Proof of residency is required. Red Wing Lake is located on a 19 acre park with an 8 acre, spring fed lake, and spacious beach. The property includes a bath-house, restrooms, first aid station, concession stand, picnic area, 2 pavilions, basketball court, volleyball court, swim lanes, fishing area, and playground.
Beekman Rec. 29 Recreation Center Road, Hopewell Junction. A “plake” combines the best part of a pool and the best part of a lake! Fresh water is continually drawn from a creek into the swim area. Like a pool, the water is filtered and chlorinated. The swimming area is unique and includes two sand beaches and a deep water area. It is part of Recreation Park which boasts two playgrounds, swings, a sand volleyball court, 18 hole mini golf course, horseshoe pits, BBQ grills, a gaga pit, a pavilion with restrooms and changing rooms, many picnic tables and an ice cream shack. Waterfront Memberships are offered.
Orange County
Circleville Park Lake. Creamery Rd., off route 302, Circleville. 7-acre Lake Hennessey with beach and lifeguard. Pedal boats available for rent to the public, Last Saturday in June through Labor Day, M-F 10 am - 6 pm Weekends 11-7pm. $3/person. Season Passes are available through the Town Clerk's Office.
Earl Reservoir. Coach Wilson Tr., Highland Mills. A swimming area with sandy beach and diving platform. You can also rent paddle boats and fish.
Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park. Windemere Ave., Greenwood Lake. Swimming, picnic area, volleyball, swings and restrooms. Day/ seasonal rates. Open to Town of Warwick Residents only.
West End Beach. Ferry St., Port Jervis. West End Beach is located on the beautiful Delaware River and is supervised by certified lifeguards. Public swimming, fishing, softball field and playground. River access for boats. End of June through mid-Aug. Mon, 12-6pm. Tues & Wed, closed.
Ulster County
Beach at Belleayre Mountain. Highmount. Spend the day swimming or lounging by the lake or enjoy boating, fishing, basketball or volleyball. Open June 17 through Labor Day weekend. Fee.
Kingston Point Beach. Kingston. Large sandy area along the river perfect for swimming, sunbathing and play. Amenities include playground, boat launch, volleyball, picnic area and even a museum. Fee.
Otter Falls. Route 47, Phoenicia. 30 ft. falls with a large pool below. Only ½ mile from Giant Ledge Parking Area.
Saugerties Village Beach. South end of Partition St., Saugerties. Sandy beach with swimming area and dock out in the Esopus Creek. Playground area, fishing area, and restroom facilities. Fees. Lifeguard hours are 10am to 6pm, all week from July 1st to September 1st.
Sawkill Creek. Off Zena Rd., Woodstock. The best way to find swimming holes in Woodstock is to ask the locals! There are a few fun spots right off the road along the Sawkill Creek.
Split Rock. New Paltz. site of the former Enderly Family sawmill is a popular place for picnicking and hiking. You can also jump into the water here or wade in the creek. Parking fee.
Sojourner Truth/Ulster Landing County Park. 916 Ulster Landing Rd., Saugerties. Boat launch, playground areas, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, basketball hoops and beach volleyball. There is a large beach area for sunbathing and swimming with lifeguards. Hiking trails and bird watching. FREE.
Vernooy Falls. Kerhonkson. A two mile hike lets you off at “trails end”, a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole surrounded by hemlocks and shrubs within the Catskill Park Preserve.
Washing Machine. Route 44/55 and Route 209, Ellenville. Getting its name from 3 small pools, a small waterfall empties into a deep turbulent pool which empties into a deep swimming/ diving pool as well as more shallow options for kids.
Sullivan County
Beaverkill Covered Bridge. Campsite Rd., Beaverkill. *Swimming hole is public and located under the bridge right before the campground with a beautiful historic covered bridge overhead. Grills and picnic tables and bathrooms nearby.
Lake Superior State Park. 342 Dr. Duggan Road, Bethel. Open in June for swimming. Other activities include picnicking and passive recreation. There is also a boat launch
Edited 6/7/2025
Other articles by HVP Top Lists