You’re driving through the Catskills or maybe deep into the Adirondacks, the air is thick enough to chew, and your AC is basically screaming for mercy. You want a pool, but not a chlorinated box with a hundred screaming toddlers. You want a swimming hole. But here’s the thing about swimming holes upstate ny—half the ones you find on social media are either illegally crowded, closed due to "over-tourism," or actually just dangerous if you don’t know where the underwater ledges are.
Finding a good spot isn't just about a GPS coordinate. It’s about knowing which creek is actually clean and which ones are runoff from old industrial sites. It's about understanding that a "hidden gem" in 2026 usually has a line of cars and a local sheriff writing tickets. Honestly, if you want the real experience, you have to look past the top ten lists and understand the geography of New York’s waterways.
The Reality of Swimming Holes Upstate NY Right Now
The landscape has changed. Ten years ago, you could park on the shoulder of Route 28 and hike down to a deep pocket in the Esopus Creek without a care in the world. Now? You'll likely see "No Parking" signs every twenty feet. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been cracking down on popular spots like Blue Hole in Peekamoose because the ecosystem simply couldn't handle the trash and the foot traffic. You actually need a permit there on weekends and holidays from May through September. Don't show up without one; they will turn you around.
Peekamoose Blue Hole and the Permit Trap
Everyone talks about Peekamoose. It’s gorgeous. The water is a literal crystalline blue because it’s filtered through limestone, and it stays freezing even in July. Like, "take your breath away" cold. But because it went viral, it’s basically the Times Square of nature. If you go, get your permit through ReserveAmerica at least a week in advance. Or, better yet, go on a Tuesday morning when the mist is still hanging off the mountains and you might actually get a moment of silence.
Why the Adirondacks Beat the Catskills for Water Quality
If you’re willing to drive further north, the Adirondack Park is a different beast entirely. While the Catskills get the city crowds, the ADK offers a scale that swallows people up.
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Take Split Rock Falls near Elizabethtown. It’s a classic. The Boquet River drops into these deep, scooped-out basins. It’s rugged. The rocks are slippery as ice, and the current can get nasty after a heavy rain. People underestimate the power of moving water. You see a calm pool, but beneath the surface, there’s a recirculating current that can pin a swimmer against a submerged log. You’ve got to be smart. Check the USGS water gauges online before you head out. If the flow rate is spiking, stay on the bank.
The Secrets of the Stony Creek Area
Most people head to Lake George and stay there. Huge mistake. If you head slightly west toward Stony Creek, you find the real stuff. There are stretches of the Hudson River—way before it gets murky and industrial down south—that are pristine. We're talking sandy bottoms and water so clear you can count the pebbles ten feet down. It's a different world.
The Safety Nuance Nobody Mentions
Let's talk about jumping. We all see the videos of people doing backflips off thirty-foot cliffs into dark water. It looks cool. It’s also how people end up in the ICU at Albany Med. Water levels in swimming holes upstate ny fluctuate wildly. A spot that was twelve feet deep in June might be six feet deep in August after a dry spell. Logs drift downriver during storms and get wedged in the bottom. Never, ever jump into a hole without swimming to the bottom first to check for obstructions. Use a stick. Use your feet. Just don't go blind.
And then there's the temperature.
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Hypothermia is a real thing in the mountains, even when it’s 90 degrees out. Some of these holes are fed by deep underground springs or high-altitude runoff. You jump in, your muscles cramp, and suddenly you’re struggling to get back to the ledge. It’s called cold water shock.
Finding the Legal Spots
Basically, you have two choices: State-managed sites or "keep it quiet" local spots.
- Fawn's Leap: This is the legendary spot in Kaaterskill Clove. It’s iconic. It’s also heavily policed now. The jumps are huge, the water is deep, and the crowd is usually young and loud. If that’s your vibe, cool. But be prepared for zero parking.
- Robert H. Treman State Park: Down near Ithaca, this is the "civilized" version of a swimming hole. They’ve actually built a diving board into the base of a massive waterfall (Enfield Falls). It’s monitored by lifeguards. It’s a great middle ground if you have kids and don't want to trek two miles through brush to find a place to dip your toes.
- Rat's Hole: Located near Wells, NY. It’s got a weird name but it’s a solid spot on the Sacandaga River. Large flat rocks for sunbathing and a decent depth for swimming.
The Etiquette of the Wild
If you find a spot that isn't on a map, keep it off the map. Geotagging has killed more swimming holes upstate ny than pollution ever did. When a spot goes from five locals to five hundred tourists a weekend, the land gets trashed, the soil gets compacted, and the owner—if it’s private land—will inevitably put up a fence.
Carry out everything. I’m not just talking about your beer cans. I’m talking about the tiny scraps of plastic, the cigarette butts, and even food scraps. Orange peels don't "just decompose" in a way that’s good for the local wildlife; they take years and attract scavengers that shouldn't be near swimmers.
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What to Pack (And What to Leave)
Forget the flip-flops. You need real water shoes or Tevas with a heel strap. The rocks in NY riverbeds are often covered in a fine layer of algae that is slicker than grease.
- A dry bag: Essential. If you're crossing a stream to get to the good side, you will fall. Protect your phone.
- A physical map: Cell service in the "Hollows" of the Catskills or the "Notches" of the Adirondacks is non-existent. Google Maps will fail you exactly when you need it most.
- Technu or soap: Poison ivy thrives near these damp, rocky edges. Learn to identify the shiny three-leaf clusters before you go bushwhacking.
The Best Strategy for a Successful Trip
The best way to experience swimming holes upstate ny isn't by chasing the most famous spots. It's by exploring. Pick a blue line on a topographical map. Find where a trail crosses a stream. Hike a mile away from the trailhead. Usually, the best swimming you'll ever find is the one you discovered yourself because you were willing to walk further than the guy who just wanted a selfie.
Check the weather for the entire watershed, not just where you are standing. A thunderstorm ten miles upstream can send a wall of water down a narrow gorge in minutes. If the water starts getting muddy or you see sticks and debris suddenly increasing, get out immediately. Flash floods are the silent killer of the gorge experience.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a trip this weekend, start by downloading the Avenza Maps app and grabbing the NYS DEC forest preserve maps for the area you're targeting. These show the exact boundaries of public vs. private land. Next, check the USGS Current Water Data for New York to ensure the rivers aren't at flood stage or, conversely, dried up to a trickle. Finally, if you're hitting the Catskills, check the Catskill Center website for the latest on parking closures and permit requirements. Knowing before you go is the difference between a day in the water and a day spent looking for a parking spot.