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.
The Beacon River Pool
(914) 629-4598
P.O. Box 173
Beacon
Opens July 4th
Hours: Tues.- Sun, 12-6pm.
Since the river pool opened to the public in 2007, over 5000 people have enjoyed wading, playing, and cooling off in the Hudson River. The pool, 20 feet in diameter and between two and two-and-a-half feet deep, is situated off the north shore of Beacon's Riverfront Park, and can hold 20 bathers.
info@riverpool.org
Harriman State Park
800 Kanawaukee Rd.
Stony Point
(845) 786-2701
Located in Rockland and Orange counties, is the second-largest park in the parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, three beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage points.
Lake Tiorati was formed by clearing swampland in Harriman State Park and constructing a concrete dam to make two ponds into one large lake. Surrounded by meadows and rolling, wooded hills, the park offers excellent swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking.
Lake Welch, with its half-mile-long sandy beach in the wooded hills of the Ramapo Mountains, is the largest beach in Harriman State Park. The park offers cool breezes, swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking and camping in adjacent Beaver Pond Campground.
Lake Superior State Park
County Rd. 117 (17B)
Sullivan County DPW, Box 5012
Monticello
(845) 794-3000 ext 5002
Beaches, boat launches and picnic areas. Fishing is also popular.
Lake Taghkanic State Park
1528 Rte. 82
(From Bear Mtn. traffic circle, take Tiorati Brook Rd.)
Ancram
The park has tent and trailer campsites and cabin and cottage camping facilities. It also features two beaches, picnic areas, boat launch sites, rowboat, paddleboat and kayak rentals, playgrounds, sports playing fields, a rentable pavilion, and newly renovated recreation hall and showers. In addition, the park has hiking, biking, swimming, fishing and hunting.
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial Park
1498 Rte. 301
Carmel
(845) 225-7207
The large beach at Canopus Lake is the jewel of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial Park. Its sandy shore and nearby picnic area are enjoyed by thousands of bathers. In addition to swimming, campers and day trippers can fish in or tour Canopus Lake by row boats which are available for rental by the hour or the day. Visitors with their own boats must obtain a Regional Boating permit at the Park Office. Fishing by boat is permitted at Stillwater and Canopus Lakes. Fishing at both lakes and four ponds is excellent in all seasons
Mongaup Pond
231 Mongaup Pond Rd.
Livingston Manor
Campground Phone: (845) 439-4233
Regional Office Phone: (845)256-3099
Located in north eastern Sullivan County, it is situated on a 120 acre lake, the largest body of water in the Catskill Park outside of the N.Y.C. reservoirs. The dense forest environment, remote location, large wooded campsites, and a lake with swimming, picnic area, and boat rentals are the attractions for most campers.
West End Beach
On Ferry St. and Water St.
Port Jervis
845-858-4045
Open daily 11am-7pm
through August 19th
No fee for use this year!
Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park Town Beach
At the end of Windermere Ave.
Greenwood Lake.
(845) 986-1124
Opening Day: Memorial Weekend, May 26, 2012
Weekends only: May 26 through June 24, 2012
7 days a week: June 25 through Sept 5, 2012
Hours of Operation: 11am - 7pm (hours life guards on duty)
Day Pass: $4/resident; $10/non-resident
Includes a sandy beach area on Greenwood Lake, daily and season passes available. Restrooms, Lifeguard Supervised Swimming, Children's Play Area, Volleyball Court, Picnic Area. Dogs not permitted.
North-South Lake
County Route 18
Haines Falls
Campground Phone: (518)589-5058
Regional Office Phone: (518)357-2289
Open Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend
North-South Lake is the biggest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, offering extraordinary scenic beauty, and historical sites, such as: Alligator Rock, Kaaterskill Falls, and the former site of the Catskill Mountain House. The provinces around the lakes have long provided visitors with exceptional views of the surrounding countryside. It is said that on a clear day, five states can be viewed from the escarpment.