Here are our favorite swimming holes in New York!
Peekamoose Blue Hole
The Peekamoose Blue Hole is located in the Catskill Mountains, located north of New York City. This swimming hole was sculpted over time by years of sand and gravel whirling in the Sundown Wild Forest. After the sign for Buttermilk Falls, Peekamoose Area, park at the first official park sign there. You’ll see a trail coming down to the lake if you cross the street and head toward Buttermilk Falls. Walking from the parking lot to the trailhead takes only a few minutes. However, the trail can be challenging to spot. It takes around two and a half hours to get here from the city. Once you arrive, there is a short climb to complete. Since it’s a highly well-liked swimming spot, we advise going throughout the week!
Swimming Holes In New York: Canopus Lake
We believe Canopus Lake, a 1.5-mile-long lake situated on the 14,086-acre Fahnestock State Park, is one swimming area that is undervalued. Although the beauty of this lake is beyond description, it is the ideal hideaway for a summer day. Not only may you swim or relax on beautiful sandy beaches monitored by lifeguards, but we really adore this park since it offers so many fantastic summertime attractions! Take your boat out, go for a walk around the lake, or maybe take some time to unwind and go fishing. You can almost travel there by train from the city, and this lake is a lovely getaway. Cold Spring, only ten minutes away, has a tempting selection of boutiques, eateries, and Scenic Hudson’s West Point Foundry Preserve. It has the remnants of an ironworks that produced pipes for New York City’s water supply and cannons for the Civil War. It is situated in a stunning ravine.
Vernooy Kill Falls
We adore Vernooy Kill Falls because it offers the ideal walk and waterfall combination that you’ve been looking for. If you’re in the mood for a scenic trip through the forests and a place to cool off in a rushing waterfall afterward, make the three-hour drive to the Vernooy Kill State Forest, which is well worth it. The 3.5-mile climb up Cherrytown Mountain will provide plenty of photo opportunities and a stunning view of the bridge at the base of the falls. When you’re finished, jump into those waterfalls to relax in the warm weather! Even your dogs are welcome to join you! Rattlesnakes are drawn to the falls because they are rocky and open in the summer.
Kaaterskill Creek & Falls
Before you decide to visit, be aware that it is one of the most popular swimming spots in the entire state. Another walk and waterfall pairing that’s delightful to visit for hours in the summer is Kaaterskill Creek & Falls. A Catskill beauty you must see for yourself is this swimming hole and creek, located outside Hudson, New York, some 2.5 hours north of the city. This is a great place to bring the whole family. The best feature of this location is how much space there is for swimming! The 26-mile-long creek’s massive waterfall, open pit, and length provide visitors with plenty of options for where you can relax for an entire day!
Swimming Holes In New York: Highlands Natural Pool
The Highlands Natural Pool in Ringwood is distinctive in its own right, and we have to give New Jersey some attention in our list of swimming holes. One hour and forty-five minutes outside the city, in the wooded environment of the Norvin Green State Forest, is this Olympic-sized man-made swimming hole. Enjoy the day here, practice beach volleyball on the courts, eat lunch with friends or family, or swim in the pool. If you want to work up a sweat before, there are many hikes you can select from. Hike a trail between 0.5 and 5.5 miles long to test your endurance! You can’t beat reviews like, “The water made our skin super soft, and the people working there were nice.”
Croton Point Park
In the town of Croton-on-Hudson, there is a Westchester County park called Croton Point Park. The park offers several free activities for the public, such as a boat launch, camping for tents and RVs, and a tiny airport. Croton Point Park, in Westchester County, is the last destination but certainly not the least; it can be reached from the city in just 1/1.5 hours. This beach is ideal for swimming and offers many grills for cooking, walking pathways, grassy places for lounging, and watercraft areas. It’s important to note that, despite the park’s $10 entrance cost, it’s worthwhile, particularly if you plan to spend the entire day there. In addition, we adore the fact that this park offers kayak rentals for use in the Croton River.
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