Wild Swim Atlas

Swimming holes in New York

11 places to swim in New York, each checked for public access. Open a spot for its season, booking rules and how to get there.

11 spots listed9 lakes and tarns2 waterfall pools

11 spots in New York

Public seasonal swimming36 mi

Lake Welch

Lake
Lake Welch Beach, Harriman State Park, Pomona

Lake Welch has a public swimming beach in Harriman State Park.

Public seasonal swimming38 mi

Lake Tiorati

Lake
Lake Tiorati Beach, Harriman State Park, Harriman

Lake Tiorati has a public swimming beach in Harriman State Park.

Swimming possible102 mi

Diamond Notch Falls

Waterfall pool
Hunter-West Kill Mountain Wilderness, Lanesville

A 25-foot waterfall in Hunter-West Kill Mountain Wilderness, reached by a 1-mile trail from Spruceton Road.

Designated area only175 mi

Buttermilk Falls

Waterfall pool
Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca

A seasonal lifeguarded swimming area is located in the lower park beside Buttermilk Falls.

Seasonal lake swimming184 mi

Taughannock Falls State Park Beach

Lake
Taughannock Falls State Park, Ulysses

A seasonal public swimming beach on Cayuga Lake at Taughannock Falls State Park.

Seasonal swimming beach191 mi

Green Lakes Beach

Lake
Green Lakes State Park, Minoa

Green Lakes State Park has a designated swimming beach open daily from 11am to 7pm during the stated summer season.

Summer swimming beach192 mi

Delta Lake

Lake
Delta Lake State Park, Lake Delta

Delta Lake State Park has a sandy beach with summer swimming on Delta Reservoir.

Seasonal public swimming197 mi

Oneida Lake

Lake
Dutchman Island

Oneida Lake has public swimming in designated lifeguarded areas at Oneida Shores Park and Verona Beach State Park.

Public swimming available228 mi

Fair Haven Bay

Lake
Fair Haven Beach State Park, Fair Haven

Fair Haven Beach State Park provides a public guarded swimming area on Lake Ontario near Fair Haven.

Seasonal public swimming298 mi

Beaver Island Beach

Lake
Beaver Island State Park, Motor Island

Beaver Island State Park has a sandy beach for swimming on the upper Niagara River.

Public swimming beaches299 mi

Chautauqua Lake

Lake
Bemus Point

Chautauqua Lake is a natural lake with public bathing beaches and boat access near Bemus Point.