Popular Outdoor Locations
first prev next lastWe couldn't find free locations right near you yet, so here are some popular spots from around the world. Know a great place nearby? Add it and help the map grow.
Groveland Wave
Blackfoot, Idaho
5.2 miles N of Blackfoot, IdahoA canal wave near Groveland used by Idaho State University for beginner kayaking training — a compact, practical spot to practice paddling and river safety skills.
Kayak 6.9 mi
Big Elk Creek
Irwin, Idaho
11.0 miles SE of Irwin, IdahoA versatile campground on a small dammed lake with fishing, kayaking, hiking and backpacking into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and stunning fall Aspen and Douglas-Fir colors on the Big Elk Creek Trail.
Backpack, Camp, Canoe, Hike, Horseback, Kayak
Jefferson County Lake (AKA Rigby Lake)
Rigby, Idaho
2.0 miles N of Rigby, IdahoSandy beaches, two floating docks with a slide, volleyball, playgrounds, and a safe swim zone — Jefferson County Lake is eastern Idaho's go-to summer swimming spot.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Kayak, Sled, Swim
Mesa Falls
Ashton, Idaho
10.0 miles NE of Ashton, IdahoUpper Mesa Falls drops 114 feet and spans 300 feet across the Henrys Fork — just 0.2 miles of paved walkway from the parking lot, with platforms, handrails, and morning rainbow mist.
Cross-country Ski, Hike, Kayak 3.6 mi
String Lake
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
21.2 miles N of Jackson Hole, WyomingA shallow, warm lake connecting Jenny and Leigh Lakes at the base of the Tetons — the clear water lets you see the bottom from a kayak, wade easily with kids, and access wilder open water beyond.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Fall Creek Falls
Swan Valley, Idaho
2.1 miles SW of Swan Valley, IdahoA shaded Snake River campground near Swan Valley with abundant wildlife, great trout fishing, and Fall Creek Falls a quarter-mile away.
Camp, Cave, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Mccall Area
McCall, Idaho
10.4 miles NE of McCall, IdahoA beautiful Idaho resort town with swimming holes, 7-mile mountain hikes to isolated lakes, Ponderosa State Park trails, mountain biking, Payette Lake boating, skiing, and sledding — all within reach of McCall.
Backpack, Camp, Canoe, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Sled, Snowshoe, Swim
Zephyr Cove Park
Glenbrook, Nevada
5.5 miles S of Glenbrook, NevadaSix tennis courts, disc golf, a sledding hill, a beach, and a fishing pond all at one free park make Zephyr Cove one of Lake Tahoe's most versatile family hangouts.
Camp, Canoe, Disc Golf, Hike, Horseback, Kayak, Swim 1.4 mi
Queen Anne Creek
Edenton, North Carolina
0.2 miles W of Edenton, North CarolinaA two-hour kayak loop from Edenton Marina up Queen Anne Creek and Little Creek — lily pads in spring, mirrored reflections on calm days, and brilliant fall foliage along the water.
Canoe, Kayak
Pintler Lake Campground and Picnic Area
Wise River, Montana
23.4 miles W of Wise River, MontanaPintler Lake Campground and Picnic Area is a tiny, free, wonderfully remote campground on the edge of a small mountain lake in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest of southwestern Montana, at the...
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
19.1 miles NE of Ashton, IdahoA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Coes Pond Beach
Worcester
2.2 miles W of WorcesterWorcester's lifeguarded city beach on Coes Reservoir, officially the John J. Binienda Memorial Beach, with a bathhouse, free summer kayak and paddleboard loans, and trails around the pond. No admission fee.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Galt's Ferry Day Use Area
Acworth
5.0 miles N of AcworthCorps of Engineers beach park on the south shore of Allatoona Lake near Acworth, with a roped, unguarded swim area, fishing jetty and boat ramp. $5 per vehicle, card only.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Bolding Mill Park
Gainesville
7.8 miles W of GainesvilleA Corps of Engineers park on Lake Lanier's Chestatee arm near Gainesville with a designated swim beach built on a gentle concrete slope, plus shelters, a boat ramp and a campground. Corps day-use fee applies.
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Red Sands Beach
Wisconsin Rapids
4.3 miles E of Wisconsin RapidsFree county swim beach on the south shore of Lake Wazeecha in South Wood County Park, east of Wisconsin Rapids, with parking, shelters and a playground. Closed during the State Water Ski Show each July.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Ellison Bay Community Park
Ellison Bay
0.3 miles W of Ellison BayA small, free Town of Liberty Grove beach on sheltered Ellison Bay at the south end of Ellison Bay village, with a playground, gazebo, restrooms, a fishing pier and a paddle launch.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Trout Pond Recreation Area
Lost City
5.5 miles E of Lost CityForest Service swim beach on 17-acre Rock Cliff Lake near Lost City, WV, next to Trout Pond, the state's sinkhole lake. Day use is $8 per vehicle, April through December.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Monsanto Lake Beach
Park Hills
3.1 miles S of Park HillsFree sand swim beach on 25-acre Monsanto Lake at St. Joe State Park in Park Hills, with a change house, accessible water-entry ramp and no lifeguards. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Memorial Beach at Dug Pond
Natick
0.9 miles SW of NatickNatick's town swimming beach on Dug Pond, with lifeguards, a diving crib and a floating dock. Open to everyone in summer for a day pass sold at the gate, with higher rates for non-residents.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Chinook Park
Quincy
6.9 miles W of QuincyFree Grant PUD day-use park on the mainland shore at Crescent Bar, with six small beaches on the Columbia River's Wanapum Reservoir, a paved trail and picnic shelters, about 9 miles by road west of Quincy.
Hike, Kayak, Swim
Windust Park
Kahlotus
7.7 miles S of KahlotusA free Army Corps park on Lake Sacajawea, the Snake River pool below Lower Monumental Dam, with a small unguarded swim beach, free first-come campsites and a boat ramp, about 7 miles south of Kahlotus.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Kiasutha Recreation Area
Kane
9.3 miles NW of KaneForest Service swim beach and picnic lawn on the Kinzua Creek arm of the Allegheny Reservoir, northwest of Kane. Open May 24 to September 1, $5 per vehicle day-use fee, no lifeguards.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Gold Lake
Graeagle
5.6 miles S of GraeagleGold Lake is the largest lake in the Plumas National Forest's Lakes Basin Recreation Area, with a free cartop launch and day-use area by the dam on its north shore where swimmers can get in.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Governors Landing Day Use Area
Del Rio
11.1 miles NW of Del RioFree, unsupervised swim area on the Devils River arm of Amistad Reservoir beside the US 90 bridges, run by the National Park Service northwest of Del Rio, Texas. No lifeguards, and low water means a long walk to the shore.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
