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
North Beach
McCall
5.9 miles N of McCallSandy beach at the north end of Payette Lake in the North Beach unit of Ponderosa State Park, six miles north of McCall, where the North Fork Payette River enters the lake. $7 Idaho state park vehicle fee.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Holter Lake Campground
Wolf Creek
3.9 miles E of Wolf CreekBLM campground and day-use area on Holter Lake near Wolf Creek, Montana, with a small swim beach near the boat docks. Day use costs $5 per vehicle.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake
Pine Hill
0.4 miles SE of Pine HillA lifeguarded sand beach on Pine Hill Lake, run by state-owned Belleayre Mountain off Route 28 in Pine Hill. Open late June to early September; $20 per car or $5 walk-in.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Blue Mountain Lake Public Beach
Blue Mountain Lake
0.2 miles SW of Blue Mountain LakeA small, lifeguarded town beach on the east shore of Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks, off NYS Route 28 in the hamlet, with a roped swim area, a dock and the lake's only public canoe and kayak launch.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Longwood Park
Clarksville
3.5 miles S of ClarksvilleCorps of Engineers park on the Grassy Creek arm of Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) south of Clarksville, with a buoyed sandy swim beach in a quiet cove. Day use costs $7 per vehicle.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Burbank Park Beach
Pittsfield
2.1 miles NW of PittsfieldPittsfield's free public swimming beach on Onota Lake, inside Burbank Park on Lakeway Drive, with a bath house, boat launch and lakeside path. Lifeguards are not hired every season, so check before you swim.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Ashfield Lake
Ashfield
0.5 miles NW of AshfieldTown beach at Belding Memorial Park on Ashfield Lake in Ashfield, Massachusetts, with a buoyed swim area, diving dock and summer lifeguards. Free and open to everyone, not just residents.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
The Beach at Lake Olathe
Olathe
2.8 miles W of OlatheOlathe's lifeguarded city swim beach on 170-acre Lake Olathe, with a sand beach, floating Aquapark and boat rentals. Paid daily admission ($10 residents, $12 non-residents) in summer only.
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
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
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
