Here's Where to Go Swimming in the Hudson Valley
Cool off at our public pools and beaches.
Lake Taghkanic State Park
Photo courtesy of NYS Parks and Historic Preservation
State Parks
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain, Rockland
The pool is in a beautiful wooded setting, just before the zoo entrance. A large play field and picnic groves allow for a full day of sun and surf. Other water activities at the park include paddleboat and rowboat rentals on Hessian Lake.
845.786.2701, ext. 242
Cherry Plain State Park
Petersburg, Rensselaer
This 175-acre park features a sandy beach on Black River Pond, with picnic grounds and a boat launch adjacent to the beach. The surrounding area is home to countless hiking, biking, and nature trails. The pond cultivates a large ecosystem of marine life, and fishing is permitted.
518.733.5400
Clarence Fahnestock ​Memorial State Park
Carmel, Putnam
The beach at Canopus Lake is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking for both day visitors and campers. The park covers land in Putnam and Dutchess counties, providing ample opportunity for hunting, fishing, birding, and more. You can also tour the lake on a rented rowboat.
845.225.7207
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
Yorktown Heights, Westchester
They don’t do things small in Westchester: this pool is twice the size of an Olympic-sized pool. For fishing and boating, visit the park’s Mohansic Lake and Crom Pond. Fields for volleyball, soccer, basketball, and more are available at the park’s spacious picnic areas.
914.245.4434
Grafton Lakes State Park
Cropseyville, Rensselaer
Long Pond, one of the six ponds at this 2500-acre park, is the place to go for swimming and a large beach. Other water activities at the park include canoeing, sailing, row boating, and fishing at any of the ponds. Electric boats are allowed, and visitors can traverse the 25 miles of park trails freely.
518.279.1155
High Tor State Park
New City, Rockland
The park includes a public swimming pool and offers miles of trails for hiking that provide gorgeous views of the Hudson River. Follow the Long Path into the Catskills, or simply enjoy the day at the pool before hitting the shower.
845.634.8074
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Kerhonkson, Ulster
Surrounded by jagged cliffs sprouting from lush forests, Lake Minnewaska features an unspoiled beach and swimming experience backdropped by the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge. Aside from the usual park amenities, the Preserve also offers plentiful opportunities to rock climb, scuba dive, and boulder on the many lakes, waterfalls, and rock faces in the park.
845.255.0752
Lake Superior State Park
Bethel, Sullivan
In addition to swimming, rowboats and paddleboats are available to rent at the park. Dogs are also allowed on the beach as long as they are placed on a leash less than six feet long.
845.807.0287
Lake Taghkanic State Park
Ancram, Columbia
As you enjoy the serenity of the park’s two beaches, let the kids enjoy the nearby playgrounds. A rentable pavilion, sports fields, and a newly renovated recreation hall creates a fun and entertaining environment for groups of all kinds. The boat shop in the park includes boat, paddleboat, and kayak rentals.
518.851.3631
Harriman State Park
Stony Point, Rockland
You’ll find swimming beaches at Tiorati and Welch, two of this park’s lakes. The park itself has 31 lakes and reservoirs in total as well as 200 miles of hiking trails, making it the second largest in New York’s park system. Public camping areas, tons of wildlife vantage points, and comprehensive waterfront facilities make this park a must-see.
845.947.2444
Rockland Lake State Park
Valley Cottage, Rockland
This park features a 25,000 sq ft zero-entrance swimming pool with diving boards, a spray ground, and two large water slides. There is also a picnic area with tables, grills, and a playground. Six tennis courts and two 18-hole golf courses are also available.
845.268.3020
Taconic State Park
Copake Falls, Columbia
Located along the Taconic Mountain Range, this park offers two main waterfronts: Rudd Pond and Copake Falls. The extensive surrounding trail system has a myriad of footpaths that vary in difficulty. Copake Falls has a well-maintained campground, and Rudd Pond is a 64-acre getaway with tent sites, rowboat and kayak rentals, and a beautiful view of the surrounding ridge and countryside.
518.329.3993
518.329.3993
Tallman Mountain State Park
Sparkill, Rockland
The Tallman Beach and Pool Club located inside the park is open seven days a week and requires a club day pass or a season pass. The Club offers a sandy beach area, summer concerts and events, poolside service, and an unbeatable view.
All state parks can be found at https://parks.ny.gov/parks
Tibbetts Brook Park
Photo courtesy of Tibbets Brook Park
More Public Pools & Beaches
Albany County
Pools
Lower Lincoln Park Pool, Albany
www.albanyny.gov/Government/Departments/Recreation/SeasonalPools.aspx
Elm Avenue Park Pool Complex, Delmar
www.townofbethlehem.org/248/Pool-Complex
Columbia County
Beaches
Crellin Community Park, Chatham
Dutchess County
Pools
Spratt Park Pool, Poughkeepsie
Pulaski Park Pool, Poughkeepsie
www.cityofpoughkeepsie.com/parks-and-recreation
City of Beacon Recreation Department Pool at University Settlement, Beacon
www.cityofbeacon.org/Government/pool.htm
Orange County
Beaches
Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park, Greenwood Lake
www.villageofgreenwoodlake.org
Pools
Maple Hill Swimming Pool, Middletown
War Veterans Memorial Pool, Middletown
Rockland County
Pools
Germonds Park Pool, West Nyack
Lake Nanuet Pool, Nanuet
Congers Pool, Congers
Ulster County
Beaches
Kingston Point Beach, Kingston
Saugerties Village Beach, Saugerties
Pools
Ulster County Pool Complex, New Paltz
https://ulstercountyny.gov/public-works
Neversink Swimming Pool, Grahamsville
Westchester County
Beaches
Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson
Glen Island Beach, New Rochelle
Playland Beach, Rye
Pools
Playland, Rye
Saxon Woods, White Plains
Sprain Ridge, Yonkers
The Brook at Tibbetts Brook Park, Yonkers
Willson’s Waves Pool, Mount Vernon
https://parks.westchestergov.com
Wild Waters Outdoor Center
Photo by Jim Swedberg
Rafting in the Region
The Town Tinker Tube Rental, Phoenicia
This local company has been offering rides on the Esopus Creek for more than 30 years. They describe the waters in this stretch as “not a lazy river” — there’s often some challenging whitewater, depending on season and weather, with 1- to 3-foot waves and rapids. Trips on more placid areas of the creek are available, too.
845.688.5553, www.towntinker.com
Silver Canoe & Whitewater Rafting, Port Jervis
Family owned and operated, they offer rafting, canoeing, and kayaking on the Delaware River near the Poconos on the Pennsylvania side and the Catskills on the New York side. Do some fishing, or enjoy birdwatching, photography, and more. The 5-hour day trip heads about 10 miles along the river. Overnight trips can be booked for one to three nights.
800.724.8342, www.silvercanoe.com
Delaware River Tubing, Milford, NJ.
A three-to-four-hour tube ride will take you 5 to 6 miles on the Delaware; or opt for rafting, kayaking, or an eco-jet boat tour. A unique deal: a free BBQ meal with every rental. Just guide your raft or tube right up to the River Hot Dog Man — it’s a floating food stand — and have a bite at a picnic table in shallow water at the tubing company’s private island in the river.
908.996.5386, www.delawarerivertubing.com
Wild Waters Outdoor Center, Lake Luzerne and Warrensburg
This family-run operation near Lake George features 17-mile, guided daylong raft trips on the Hudson River Gorge, with some class III–V rapids. Other options include a two-hour, 3.5-mile trip on the Sacandaga River, or a 7-mile river adventure. They also provide kayaking, a rafting/lodging package, and overnight rafting trips, complete with a guide to help set up camp.
800.867.2335, www.wildwaters.net
Berkshire Whitewater, Charlemont, MA.
Take a ride on the Deerfield River starting from the base area of Berkshire East Mountain Resort. Options include everything from challenging rapids trips to easy 5-mile guided family floats – ideal for groups with kids ages 5 and up. Then head to the resort for mountain biking, zipline canopy touring, and other land-based fun.
413.339.6617, www.berkshirewhitewater.com
Kittatinny Canoes, Barryville
Seven family-run riverfront locations along the Delaware River in New York and Pennsylvania provide water rides and camping. Try a two-day canoe trip, kayaking, whitewater adventures, or rafts that carry up to six riders. They also offer the only dual zipline on the Delaware, plus paintball games on seven mountaintop playing fields.
800.356.2852, www.kittatinny.com
