39 Natural Swimming Areas

On a hot day, you can sit under a waterfall, swim in a lake, or jump in a creek at one of these refreshing natural swimming areas. Be mindful of signs posted and use common sense when deciding to wade in. Some places require a lifeguard on duty, or allow swimming in restricted areas. Others have never officially allowed wading, like Stony Brook and Corbett’s Glen, but are now cracking down with warnings and fines. Bring a healthy respect for the power of water and the nature that thrives here and you’ll enjoy a beautiful day!

Natural Swimming Area Taughannock Falls Creek — Taughannock Falls Creek

Creeks with Waterfalls

Creeks & Rivers

Oatka Creek at the George Bridge, plus wading under the Rochester Street/NY-251. bridge
Stony Brook in Stony Brook State Park, only in the sectioned-off natural stream-fed pool
Cattaraugus Creek in Zoar Valley, be mindful of flashfloding
Niagara River in Beaver Island State Park

New York State Parks Hamlin Beach — Hamlin Beach State Park

Lake Ontario

Finger Lakes

Kershaw Park, Canandaigua Lake
Ononda Park, Canandaigua Lake
Deep Run Beach, Canandaigua Lake
Long Point Park, Conesus Lake
Sandy Bottom Park Beach, Honeoye Lake
Keuka Lake State Park, Keuka Lake
Seneca Lake State Park, Seneca Lake
Sampson State Park, Seneca Lake
Cayuga Lake State Park, Cayuga Lake
Taughannock Falls State Park, Cayuga Lake
Long Point State Park, Cayuga Lake
Myers Park, Cayuga Lake
Emerson Park, Owasco Lake

Other Lakes

Green Lakes State Park
Darien Lakes State Park
Red House Lake, Allegany State Park
Quaker Lake, Allegany State Park
Sylvan Beach, Oneida Lake
Verona Beach State Park, Oneida Lake
Oneida Shores, Oneida Lake
Evangola State Park, Lake Erie
Woodlawn Beach State Park, Lake Erie

Watkins Glen State Park Pool — Watkins Glen State Park

Not-so-natural swimming areas

Though the topic of this article is Natural Swimming Areas, I thought it fair to mention that many of our public parks have places to cool down, in the form of pools and water slides.