Get in the Swim of Things
VISITvortex has unveiled some great swimming spots in six counties of the Valley that are sure to have you swimming with delight. They’re not only beaches—these spots offer so much more, including additional water sports such as boating, rafting, and kayaking. From sandy shores to clear pools, from picnic areas to campsites—settle in and relax in the clean waters of the region.
Ulster County Swimming
Andretta Pool – If pool swimming’s your thing this six-lane, 25-meter pool is for you. Other amenities include a bathhouse, picnic area, and swim lessons and lap swims available. Season starts June 25; Tuesday through Sunday. City resident: Youth $1; senior citizen $2; adult 18+ $3. Non-city resident: Youth $2; senior citizen $3; adult 18+ $5. Joys Lane, Kingston. 845-331-1682
Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake – Clean, crisp lake swimming for a day of family fun! Also horseshoe pits, volleyball, and basketball. Rowboats, paddleboats, and kayak rentals available. Lifeguards on duty; sorry no pets on beach or in cars. Only US Coast Guard-approved life jackets allowed; no other flotation devices. June 18 through September 5, 10am-6pm. Walk-ins $2 each; $8 car. 845-254-5202; belleayre.com/summer/lake.htm
Kingston Point Beach – A municipal beach providing a great swim in the Hudson, plus facilities for boating, wind-surfing, and picnicking. Enjoy a playground, volleyball courts, and great bird watching. Shady spots available. Open Friday through Sunday from June 17 through August 14. Lifeguard on duty. 11am-5pm. Free. 53 Delaware Avenue, Kingston. 845-338-0670
Saugerties Village Beach – This free beach offers a sand beach swimming area with a swimming dock right on the Esopus Creek, a playground area, a fishing area, a kayak/boat launch, and restroom facilities. Open July 4 through Labor Day with lifeguards. Hours: 845-246-2321 x1
Ulster Landing County Park – A sandy beachfront offering hiking trails, grills, a boat launch, playgrounds, lifeguards, and sports areas. Open weekends only until June 13, then daily through Labor Day. 13 and over $3; 12 and under $1.50; seniors $1. Saugerties. 845-336-8484.
Lake Minnewaska & Lake Awosting – Two very unique public swimming opportunities. Lake Minnewaska’s swim area offers stunning views of surrounding cliffs around the lake. Open June 18 to September 5, seven days a week from 11:15am to 6:45 pm. Lake Awosting’s beach offers swimming at a remote lake, which can only be reached by a four-mile hike or bike ride. Open June 18 to June 24 weekends and holidays only, 11am to 5:30pm. June 27 to September 2 open daily from 11am to 5:30pm. Swimming at both beaches permitted only when lifeguards are on duty. Preserve admission is $8 per vehicle daily. 5281 Route 44/55, New Paltz. 845-255-0752; nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/127/details.aspx
Dutchess County Swimming
Beacon River Pool – The design of this partially submerged pool is environmentally sensitive and offers a safe wading area, protecting bathers from boaters and currents. With a permeable floor and sides that work as a below-water fence, the twentyfoot diameter wading pool allows river water to flow through it. Floating fiberglass seats line the pool’s perimeter for spectacular river views. A ramp from the river’s shore leads swimmers to the pool. Open early July to Labor Day, Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6pm. Free and open to the public. 914-629-4598; riverpool.org
Clarence Fahnestock State Park – The large sandyshored beach at Canopus Lake is the jewel of the park and just as sparkling! Pack a lunch for the picnic area or if you’re a camper or day-tripper plan to fish in or tour Canopus Lake by rowboats available for rental by the hour or day. 1498 Route 301, Carmel. 845-225-7207; nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/133/details.aspx
Lakeside Park – A 280-acre park featuring a lake for either lapswimming or lapping up the sun. Kayaking and canoeing, an extra treat, available. Open year round from dawn till dusk. Non-resident swimming day rate $10; $15 families. 2 Lakeside Drive, Pawling. 845-855-1131; pawling.org
Sylvan Lake Beach Park – A private beach awaits you set on 65 wooded and open acres with a flood of family amenities. From camping, fishing, non-motorized boating, horseshoe pits, volleyball, basketball hoops, and somuch more. It’s a camper’s oasis near all Hudson Valley attractions. Hopewell Junction. 845-221-9889.
Taconic State Park, Rudd Pond Area – 225 country acres featuring a sandy beach and clear water swimming on a 64-acre lake that also offers fishing, rowboat, canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals. Plus, children’s play area, flush toilets, picnic tables, fishing, forestland, and skating. Rudd Pond Area open May 27 to September 4 from 8am to 9pm. Parking: $7. 59 Rudd Pond Drive, Route 62, Millerton. 518-789-3059; nysparks.state.ny.us/par /141/details.aspx
Town of Washington Town Park – A cool pool that’s really an old-fashioned beach basin that is drained seasonally, so it’s more like natural swimming. Open weekends June 4 through Labor Day and Monday to Friday from June 12 to August 22; 12-7pm. 35 Merrit Avenue, Millbrook. Passes available for both residents and nonresidents. 845-677-8278; washingtonny.org
Wilcox Memorial Park – A real country swim awaits you at two small refreshing lakes surrounded by a sandy beach. And, so much more: boat rentals, fishing, children’s play area, hot showers, shelters and pavilions, picnic tables, open athletic fields, nature trails, and miniature golf. Plus paddleboat rentals, concession stand, mini-golf and 27 campsites, including 10 RV trailer sites with water and electric hook-up. May 28 to June 26, 10am-7pm on weekends & holidays only. June 27 to September 5, 10am- 7pm. Thursday to Monday only; weekend and holidays open until 8pm. Dutchess County residents $5 carload; nonresidents $10 carload. Route 199, Milan. 845-758-6100.
Columbia County
Lake Taghkanic State Park – Using the proper Indian spelling doesn’t change the fact that this park offers swimming at its best with two beaches plus so much more in lush forests. There’s hiking, fishing, biking, picnicking, boat launches, playgrounds, sports fields, and rowboat and paddleboat rentals. Plus a rentable pavilion, a recreation hall, and showers. The park also has tent and trailer campsites and cabin and cottage camping facilities. Swimming starts Memorial Day on weekends only. Open weekdays June 25 through Labor Day, 10am-7pm weekends, 10am-6pm weekdays. No pets. 1528 Route 82, Ancram. $8 parking per car. 518-851-3631.
Greene County
Zoom Flume Water Park – Aquatically awesome with the 2011 addition of the Riptide Cove Wave Pool—like being in the ocean only safer and cleaner. This is an “all-inclusive” park with free parking and one low admission price for a full day of water fun. Rated one of the safest water parks. Group rates available. 91 Shady Glen Road, East Durham. 800-239-4559; zoomflume.com
Orange County
Bear Mountain State Park – A day-use park that families can fall in love with. Not only a great swimming pool and bathhouse, but family-fun facilities including playing fields, picnic groves, rowboat docks on Hessian Lake, nature trails, basketball court, trailside museums and zoo, Iona Island Estuarine Reserve and Bird Refuge, Perkins Tower, and the newly constructed Merry-Go-Round and pavilion. Pool is open from June 19 to Labor Day; Weekend and holidays 11am to 6:30pm; Monday-Friday 10am-5:30pm. Parking $8 car. 845-786-2701; palisadesparksconservancy.org/parks/5
Harriman State Park – 31 lakes and three beaches to “wet” your appetite for aquatics. Plus 200 miles of hiking trails, two public camping areas, miles of streams, and much more. Bear Mountain, Orange and Putnam counties. 845-786-2701
Lower Westchester County Swimming
Croton Point Park – A 508- acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River offering year-round events and activities with facilities for camping, hiking, and swimming. Open weekends and holidays only beginning Memorial Day weekend. 10am-6pm. Lifeguard on duty. Admission $8; $4 with Westchester County Park Pass. Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson. 914-862-5290
Now fet on those swim suits, Pack up the towels and a change of clothes, And choose the swim spots that are best for You.
