Typically recognized for our 11 Finger Lakes and two Great Lakes, as you drive around the region’s countryside, you’ll find a landscape freckled with bodies of fresh water where locals are boating, fishing, swimming, relaxing, and recharging. 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. Most water parks are open between Father’s Day and Labor Day, but please check ahead, as water quality and weather can affect your experience. Unless otherwise noted, swimming is limited to when a lifeguard is on duty and in designated areas.
City of Rochester
Durand Eastman Beach
At Lot A near Horseshoe Road, you will find the designated swimming area along the 5,000-foot sandy Lake Ontario shoreline. 1342 Lakeshore Boulevard
Durand Eastman Park’s 977 acres include an arboretum, hiking trails around Durand and Eastman Lakes, and a swimming beach on Lake Ontario.
Ontario Beach Park
Head to the sandy beach on Lake Ontario for a refreshing swim. Look for the blue accessibility mat near the bathhouse, which provides a smooth path from the boardwalk to the water’s edge. 4800 Lake Avenue
Besides a sandy Lake Ontario beach with plenty of parking, enjoy the boardwalk, pier, and an original 1902 Abbott’s Frozen Custard.
Monroe County
Hamlin Beach State Park
In Areas Three and Four, look for guarded sandy beaches with bathhouses and concession stands. In Area Three, there is a blue accessibility mat that leads from the paved pathway to the water. Dogs may swim in Lake Ontario at unguarded beaches in Areas One and Five. Admission Fee. 1 Hamlin Beach State Park, Hamlin
Hamlin Beach State Park has 7 miles of beautiful biking and walking trails, including a mile-long self-guided tour of a CCC/POW camp.
Greater Rochester
Darien Lakes State Park
Bring a packed lunch to enjoy on Picnic Island, then swim at Harlow Lake’s sandy beach. Admission Fee. 10475 Harlow Road, Darien Center, Genesee County
Long Point Park
Take a dip in Conesus Lake from the rocky beach on the western shore. 5325 Long Point Park, Geneseo, Livingston County
Deep Run Park
On the eastern shore of Canandaigua Lake, this pocket park offers a small, rocky beach for swimming, complete with a bathhouse. 4300 East Lake Road, Canandaigua, Ontario County
Grimes Glen
Enjoy this two-mile in-and-out creek walk at your own risk to discover two 60-foot waterfalls. 703 Vine Street, Naples, Ontario County
Grimes Glen is public, free, and you are encouraged to wade up the creek to the first and second waterfalls, both 60-foot cascades.
Kershaw Park
The bathhouse and guarded sandy beach are on the north end of Canandaigua Lake near the city pier. Admission fee. 155 Lakeshore Drive, Canandaigua, Ontario County
Onanda Park
Take a dip in Canandaigua Lake from this rocky beach, complete with a bathhouse. Admission fee. 4965 County Route 16, Canandaigua, Ontario County
Sandy Bottom Park Beach
Relax and swim at a guarded beach on Honeoye Lake with a sandy shore and a bathhouse nearby. Jack Evans Drive, Honeoye, Ontario County
Seneca Lake State Park
Besides a sandy, shallow beach, there is a fantastic water sprayground with 100 jets to enjoy. Admission fee. 1 Lake Front Drive, Geneva, Seneca County
Cayuga Lake State Park
A long, narrow pebbly sand beach offers a place to swim in cool water. Admission fee. 2678 Lower Lake Road, Seneca Falls, Seneca County
Sampson State Park
Enjoy this small, sandy beach with a bathhouse on Seneca Lake. Admission fee. 6040 New York State Route 96A, Romulus, Seneca County
Sodus Point Beach Park
You’ll find a sandy Lake Ontario beach next to the pier, with concessions and a bathhouse. 7598 First Street, (315) 946-5624, Sodus Point, Wayne County
Keuka Lake State Park
The park offers a large sandy beach and bathhouse at the north end of Keuka Lake. Admission fee. 3560 Pepper Road, Keuka Park, Yates County
Surrounding Counties
Allegany State Park
At Quaker and Red House Lakes, you’ll find sandy beaches to swim from, with bathhouses nearby. Admission fee. 2373 ASP, US-1, Salamanca, Cattaraugus County
Beaver Island State Park
The thought of swimming in the Niagara River may seem daunting because of its proximity to Niagara Falls, just 14 miles downstream. However, visitors can enjoy a sandy swimming beach, kayak launches, trails, and a nature center at the south end of Grand Island. Admission fee. 2136 Oakfield Road, Grand Island, Erie County
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Swim in the stream-fed pool beneath Buttermilk Creek’s lower falls. Admission fee. 106 E. Buttermilk Falls Road, Ithaca, Tompkins County
In Buttermilk Falls State Park, like most of the Finger Lakes gorge parks, stairs are the primary walkway along Buttermilk Creek; challenging but worth it!
Cazenovia Lake
Lakeland Park provides a sandy guarded swimming beach, bathhouse, and cartop boat launch. 11 Foreman Street, Cazenovia, Madison County
Clift Park
A set of concrete steps connects the grassy park to the guarded swimming area at Skaneateles Lake. 15 W. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, Onondaga County
Emerson Park
The island, formed by two branches of the Owasco Lake Outlet, features a pebbly sand beach with a bathhouse. This urban park offers walking paths, gardens, and a popular fishing pier, making it an exceptional destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Admission fee. 6877 E. Lake Road, Auburn, Cayuga County
Evangola State Park
Enjoy the sight of towering cliff walls along the Lake Erie shore at this sandy swimming beach with a bathhouse. Admission fee. 10191 Old Lake Shore Road, Irving, Erie County
Fair Haven Beach State Park
At one of the most beautiful locations along Lake Ontario, you can relax on the guarded sandy beach while enjoying the stunning view of the towering shoreline bluffs. Admission fee. 14985 State Park Road, Fair Haven, Cayuga County
Fillmore Glen State Park
Dry Creek offers a refreshing stream-fed pool and a roped-off wading area. Admission fee. 1686 New York State Route 38, Moravia, Cayuga County
Green Lakes State Park
Green Lake, known for its stunning turquoise waters, is a must-see for those seeking a unique swimming experience. At nearly 200 feet deep, this meromictic lake features water that remains crystal clear because of the lack of mixing between its top and bottom layers. Admission fee. 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville, Onondaga County
Havana Glen
The trail is a short quarter-mile walk along the creek and features stairs attached to the shale wall of the gorge. At the end of the trail, you can wade in McClure Creek and explore under the 60-foot Eagle Cliff Falls. Please note that this is an unguarded area. Admission fee. 135 Havana Glen Road, Montour Falls, Schuyler County
Long Point State Park
Swim in Cayuga Lake from a small grass and stone beachfront. There is a bathhouse available. Admission fee. 2063 Lake Road, Aurora, Cayuga County
Myers Park
View one of the three Cayuga Lake lighthouses beside this small rocky beach. Admission fee. 1 Lansing Park Road, (607) 533-7388, Lansing, Tompkins County
Olcott Beach
Krull Park, on the shores of Lake Ontario, offers a small sandy beach perfect for a fun day trip with the little ones. The beach is next to the Lakeview Village Shops and Olcott Carousel Park, and there is also a splash pad across the street. Olcott, Niagara County
Oneida Shores County Park
Oneida Shores offers a shallow, sandy beach with a dedicated section for inflatables and a convenient bathhouse. Admission fee. 9400 Bartell Road, Brewerton, Onondaga County
Robert H. Treman State Park
Swim in a stream-fed pool beneath Enfield Glen’s waterfall. The diving board is the most popular amenity. Admission fee. 105 Enfield Falls Road, Ithaca, Tompkins County
Rushford Lake
Enjoy swimming at the public beach across from Rush Creek Road at the southern tip of the lake. Caneadea, Allegany County
Sandy Island Beach State Park
As one of the few west-facing beaches along Lake Ontario, Sandy Island Beach is as lovely as the name implies. It is known for being the only significant freshwater dune site in the northeast United States, according to the New York State Parks website. Visitors can enjoy amenities such as a bathhouse and concessions near the parking area and reach the guarded swimming beach using a boardwalk system that protects the dunes and beach grass. Admission fee. 3387 County Route 15, Pulaski, Oswego County
Stony Brook State Park
Swim in the sectioned-off pool of this cold, refreshing creek. Wading is not allowed in the rest of the gorge. Admission fee. 10820 New York State Route 36, Dansville, Steuben County
The walkway through Stony Brook State Park is a combo of shale, gravel, and stairs alongside waterfalls, similar to the other gorge parks.
Sylvan Beach
The swimming beach at Oneida Lake is near the Coney Island–inspired Sylvan Beach Amusement Park. It is a sandy beach, perfect for swimming. 808 Marina Drive, Sylvan Beach, Oneida County
Taughannock Falls State Park
Swim to a floating dock on Cayuga Lake from the narrow pebbly sand beach. There is a bathhouse and concession stand nearby. Admission fee. 1740 Taughannock Boulevard, Trumansburg, Tompkins County
Taughannock Falls’s 0.75-mile hard-packed gravel gorge trail leads to the base of the falls and is open year-round.
Verona Beach State Park
Enjoy a splash pad and a sandy, shallow swimming beach on Oneida Lake. Admission fee. 6541 Lakeshore Road S., Verona Beach, Oneida County
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park
You’ll find this small pebble beach with a bathhouse along a thin band of Lake Ontario shoreline. Admission fee. 3371 W. Lake Road, Wilson, Niagara County, Wilson
Woodlawn Beach State Park
Experience a mile-long sand beach on Lake Erie with a bathhouse and concession stands in the presence of massive wind turbines along the shore south of Buffalo. Admission fee. 3580 Lake Shore Road, Blasdell, Erie County
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We used to go swimming at “the quarry” in Penfield in the 70z. Is this still around. The horseflies were terrible when we were leaving, running through a small section of woods
Haha! Great memory! If it’s the one I’m thinking of, around Irondequoit Creek, I think it’s private property.