Point Au Roche S. P.

Tucked along the northwestern shore of Lake Champlain, the swimming area at Point Au Roche State Park offers one of the most quietly spectacular freshwater experiences in all of New York. This is not a crowded beach resort — it's a place where the water laps softly against a sandy shoreline, ospreys wheel overhead, and the blue-green silhouette of the Adirondack Mountains rises across the lake to the west like a painted backdrop. The atmosphere is unhurried, the setting is genuinely beautiful, and admission is free.

The Setting: Where the Adirondacks Meet the Water

You reach the swimming area via a short, gently sloping trail from the park's Nature Interpretation Center — an easy walk suitable for families, older visitors, and anyone who prefers a leisurely approach. As you emerge from the trail, a quiet bay opens before you, framed by tall grasses and the kind of soft, sandy beach that invites bare feet. Lake Champlain stretches out in every direction, its waters surprisingly clear and glittering in the summer sun. On a calm morning, the Adirondack peaks reflect off the surface in wavering shades of purple and green. Great blue herons stalk the shallows while ospreys dive from the sky — the wildlife here is as much a part of the experience as the water itself.

The Swimming Experience

Lake Champlain swims best from late June through early September, when the water has had time to warm under the long northern summer days. The lake is deep and expansive beyond the bay, but the sheltered cove creates calmer, shallower conditions closer to shore — ideal for children splashing in the shallows or adults wading out for a leisurely float. The water is cool and refreshing even on the hottest July afternoons, with the kind of clarity that lets you watch small fish darting around your ankles near the sandy bottom. It's worth noting that this is an unofficial swimming area, so you'll be swimming at your own judgment — come prepared and stay aware of conditions.

After your swim, the park's accessible hiking trails wind through wetlands and forest, offering some of the best birdwatching in the Champlain Valley. If local lore interests you, keep an eye on the deeper water — Lake Champlain is famously home to "Champ," the region's own mythical lake monster, a legend that stretches back centuries to the days of French settlers and the War of 1812 battles fought on these very shores.

Plan Your Visit

Point Au Roche State Park is located just north of Plattsburgh, New York, making it an easy day trip or a natural stop on a longer Adirondack itinerary. There is no entrance fee for the swimming area. On-site facilities include showers, picnic tables, and toilets — enough to make a full afternoon of it. Plattsburgh itself offers restaurants, lodging, and additional lakeside attractions, and the city is well-connected to both the Adirondack region and Vermont via the Lake Champlain ferry crossing. Come on a weekday if you can; the quiet only adds to the magic.

Point Au Roche State Park reflects the region’s historical significance as part of early French settlements and its proximity to Plattsburgh, a key location during the War of 1812.

Visitors should follow Leave No Trace principles, stay on designated trails, and avoid littering to protect the park’s ecosystems. Efforts are in place to preserve native flora and provide safe habitats for wildlife.