23 natural swim spots within about 70 miles of New Paltz, New York.
This page lists 23 natural swimming holes near New Paltz, New York, sorted by straight-line distance within about 70 miles — including 3 rivers, 8 creeks, 6 waterfalls, and 1 quarry. It is a city day-trip list, not the national GPS finder. Open each listing for directions, fees, and access before you drive.
Near New Paltz, New York, our directory maps 23 natural swimming holes within about 70 miles of the city center — including 3 rivers, 8 creeks, 6 waterfalls, and 1 quarry. The closest mapped spot is Deep Hole (5.6 mi straight-line). Distances are not drive time; open each listing for directions, fee notes, access rules, and safety context before you travel.
| Central place | New Paltz, New York |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 70 miles |
| Mapped spots | 23 |
| Closest listing | Deep Hole (5.6 mi) |
| Water types | River (3), Creek (8), Waterfall (6), Quarry (1), Other (5) |
| Typical fees | 15 free · 3 fee · 5 varies |
23 natural swim spots in New York, sorted by distance from the city center. Statewide inventory counts are on the U.S. swimming holes dataset. For live GPS sorting from your device, use the GPS finder.
Deep Hole near High Falls / Kerhonkson, New York — free roadside creek pool on the Coxing Kill corridor (near Split Rock / Clove Road approaches). Easy access, 6–8 ft pockets reported, very crowded weekends; pack out trash.
View detailsKerhonkson Region Swimming Holes is a creeks destination on Varies - see below in NY near Ellenville, Kerhonkson, Wawarsing. Fee note: No. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.
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High Falls in Ulster County, New York — Rondout Creek waterfall and village swimming searches near New Paltz / Rosendale. Scenic falls by the hamlet; swimming access is limited and often informal — confirm posted rules and private land.
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Ashokan Catskills Swimming Spots near Kingston, New York is a natural swimming spot. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming; Family-friendly lifeguarded zones. There is a fee or park admission. Best visited in June-August. Check for posted rules and lifeguard schedules upon arrival.
View detailsPerched high on the Shawangunk Ridge in New York's Hudson Valley, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of the most visually striking natural .
View detailsVernooy Kill Falls (Vernooy Falls) in the Sundown Wild Forest near Kerhonkson, New York — free DEC hike to a multi-drop cascade with swim pockets when flow allows. ~2-mile round trip options from Trails End Road; no lifeguards.
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This isn't a hidden gorge or a remote mountain . It's a thoughtfully designed, man-made .
View detailsGLENERIE is a creek destination on Esopus Creek in NY near Kingston, Saugerties, Glasco. Fee note: No. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.
View detailsThese unofficial spots have drawn locals, artists, and wanderers for generations, offering creek . No admission booths, no concrete, no loudspeakers.
View detailsRed Hook Hudson Valley Swimming Spots is a creek swimming spot near Rhinebeck, New York. What people come for: Stony Creek Falls' cascading pools; Twin Lakes' floating dock and grassy beach. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in May to September. There are no lifeguards or official safety services.
View detailsPlattekill Falls in Platte Clove / Catskills near Palenville, New York — free hike to a scenic cascade. Steep clove terrain; swimming is limited and hazardous near drops — treat primarily as a waterfall hike.
View detailsPhoenicia Catskills swimming holes include Esopus Creek tubing and clear creek pools near Phoenicia, Big Indian, and Oliverea off Route 28. Access and fees vary by spot — some are free pullouts, others use nearby state park areas.
View detailsSet along Cook Brook in the historic Kaaterskill region, this informal natural pool draws those willing to earn their swim with a short hike across rocky, uneven terrain.
View detailsFed by mountain streams and shaded by dense woodland canopy, the creeks here run cold and clear even deep into summer, offering a refreshing escape from the heat that feels entirely earned once you've made the descent to reach them.
View detailsMosquito Point in New York is a free riverside swimming spot with informal access. Scout depth and current; no lifeguards.
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Ore Pit Pond near Tahawus / Newcomb, New York is a flooded quarry pond swim in the Adirondacks with day-use fees. About $6 day-use historically — confirm current DEC / site rates.
View detailsThe falls earn their reputation honestly. Twin cascades thunder down through a deep, shadowed gorge, split apart by a bold wedge of ancient rock before reuniting in a plunge pool below.
View detailsCROTON POINT PARK is a river destination on Hudson River in NY near Tarrytown, Ossining, Croton-On-Hudson. Fee note: Yes, see web site. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.
View detailsRoscoe Catskills Swimming Holes is a natural swimming spot near Liberty, New York. What people come for: Two distinct swimming holes; Rope swing for adventurous fun. Access is free. Best visited in Summer. Heed all posted signs prohibiting swimming, climbing, and jumping.
View detailsRussell Brook Falls near Downsville / Roscoe, New York — free Catskills cascade and brook pools popular with western Catskills day trips. Short hike; cold water; pack out trash.
View detailsNassau Kinderhook Creek Swimming Holes lies in New York. These are not manicured park beaches with painted signs and entry gates.
View detailsShaul State Park offer a genuinely local, off-the-beaten-path escape along the banks of a winding creek. This is not a manicured beach with snack bars and posted schedules.
View detailsAnd then there is The Floating Pool Lady, a one-of-a-kind public pool that bobs gently on the East River at Barretto Point Park in the Bronx.
View detailsBrowse by water type in New York — each link opens the full state directory for that category.
Looking for rivers near you to swim? A river swimming hole is moving water deep enough to swim or wade — often a bend, pool, or slack-water pocket. Browse river spots below, or start with GPS near-me sorting, then confirm access and flow the day you go.
Looking for swimming creeks near you? Creek swimming holes are smaller stream and brook pools — usually cooler, shallower, and tucked into forests or hollows. Use the list below (or near-me GPS), then confirm water level after rain.
Waterfall swimming holes are plunge pools and cascades fed by falls. Flow is often seasonal; check depth, cold water, and slippery rock before you enter.
Looking for quarry swimming near you? Quarry swimming holes are deep, clear pools in former extraction sites. Depth can change suddenly — never dive without checking, respect posted access rules, and prefer documented public sites over fenced pits.
Mixed or unique water types that do not fit a single category — review each listing for access and conditions.
People search for this in a dozen different ways. Here is what each one means around New Paltz, with the counts from our directory.
Highlights and safety notes from our listings — not third-party reviews. Report outdated info or share a tip.
New Paltz is a practical launch point for day trips to natural swimming holes in New York. Within about 70 miles you will find 23 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Deep Hole about 5.6 mi from the city center.
The mix spans river, creek, waterfall, quarry, other — related terms searchers use include creek swimming, river swimming holes, spring-fed pools, and wild swimming.
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in New York with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the New Paltz city center — not driving time. A creek swimming hole 12 miles away on forest roads can take longer than a river access point 20 miles away on a highway.
Wild swimming near New Paltz includes informal river bends, spring-fed pools, waterfall plunge pools, and developed park swim areas. Rules, fees, and seasonal access differ by land manager. Never assume swimming is allowed without checking the listing and posted signs the day you visit.
Natural water near New Paltz changes after rain, snowmelt, and summer heat. Cold shock, currents, submerged rocks, and bacteria are real risks at creek and river swimming holes — most sites have no lifeguard. Check weather and local advisories before you enter the water.
We publish original planning copy, safety tips, and last-updated dates on each listing. See our editorial policy for sourcing standards, or contact us if access or conditions have changed.
Near New Paltz, New York, our directory lists 23 natural swimming holes within about 70 miles — mainly 3 rivers, 8 creeks, 6 waterfalls, and 1 quarry. Each listing links to directions, fee notes, and safety context. Use near me on your phone for live distance sorting from your location.
This page shows 23 mapped natural swim spots within about 70 miles of New Paltz. The full New York directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
The closest open mapped spot to New Paltz is Deep Hole (5.6 mi straight-line). Open that listing for driving directions, access notes, and current fee information — unofficial holes can change without notice.
15 listings note free or no-fee access; 3 require a fee or park admission; 5 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
Near New Paltz, documented water types include rivers, creeks, waterfalls, quarry, others. A swimming hole is a natural outdoor pool in moving or spring-fed water — not a chlorinated pool. Filter by type on the New York state page or open each card for water-body details.
Late spring through early fall is the usual swim season near New Paltz, but snowmelt, drought, and weekend crowds change conditions week to week. Check each listing before you drive — high water after storms can make creeks and rivers unsafe.
Wild swimming near New Paltz carries real risks: cold water, currents, rocks, and no lifeguards at most unofficial sites. Check weather, water level, and posted warnings the day you visit. Read our river safety guide and each listing's safety section before entering the water.
Within about 70 miles of New Paltz we map 8 creek swimming holes. The closest is Deep Hole, about 5.6 mi out. Also searched as: swimming creeks near me, water streams near me.
Within about 70 miles of New Paltz we map 3 river swimming holes. The closest is River Pool At Beacon, about 17 mi out. Also searched as: rivers you can swim in near me.
Within about 70 miles of New Paltz we map 1 quarry swimming hole. The closest is Ore Pit Pond, about 39 mi out. Also searched as: quarry lake near me.
Within about 70 miles of New Paltz we map 6 waterfall plunge pools. The closest is High Falls (ulster County), about 8.5 mi out. Also searched as: waterfalls to swim in near me.
Listing data last updated across spots on this page.
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