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
Stillhouse Park
Belton
5.2 miles W of BeltonCorps of Engineers day-use park on Stillhouse Hollow Lake near Belton with a designated swim beach, 38 shoreline picnic sites and a $5 per vehicle day-use fee.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Gillson Beach
Wilmette
1.9 miles E of WilmetteThe Wilmette Park District's main Lake Michigan swimming beach in Gillson Park, with lifeguards Memorial Day to Labor Day. Day passes are $11 for residents and $17 for non-residents, plus parking.
Kayak, Swim
Nine Mile Recreation Area
Nine Mile Falls
1.6 miles NW of Nine Mile FallsDay-use area of Riverside State Park at the upper end of Lake Spokane with a designated swim area, boat launch and docks. Discover Pass required; no lifeguards and no drinking water since the 2026 fires.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Crystal Lake
Moore
15.1 miles SE of MooreA shallow 45-acre snowmelt lake at 5,700 feet in Montana's Big Snowy Mountains, with free day use, open-shore swimming by the Forest Service campground, and no motors allowed.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Stephens Lake Park Beach
Columbia
1.3 miles E of ColumbiaFree, unguarded sand beach with a roped swim area on 11-acre Stephens Lake in Columbia's Stephens Lake Park, open May 1 to Sept. 30 from dawn to dusk, next to the city's largest sprayground.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Beltzville State Park Beach
Lehighton
4.9 miles E of LehightonA 525 foot sand beach on Beltzville Lake, the Army Corps reservoir that flooded the Pohopoco Creek valley in 1971. Free to enter, open late May through Labor Day, no lifeguards, and worth checking for a bacteria closure before you go.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Blue Hole Spring
O'Brien
11.6 miles E of O'BrienA 40 foot deep karst spring at the end of a half mile trail in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 72 degrees year round with a hard upwelling boil. Swimming and snorkeling are allowed, the park calls it experienced swimmers only, and it is the only spring in
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Millsite State Park
Ferron
3.2 miles W of FerronMillsite Reservoir sits at the mouth of Ferron Canyon in Emery County, with a sandy state park beach on the south shore under 2,000 feet of sandstone. Swimming is open, day use is $10 per vehicle, and the pool drops through the summer as the reservoir irr
Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Teal Lake Public Beach
Negaunee
0.8 miles N of NegauneeA small free city beach on Teal Lake at the end of Croix Street in Negaunee, with cold clear water, a quick drop-off and an ADA ramp and beach mat down to the shallows. Swimming was banned here until 1995, when the lake stopped being the town's drinking s
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
The Cove at Concord Park
Knoxville
15.4 miles SW of KnoxvilleKnox County's free public swim beach on a sheltered cove of Fort Loudoun Lake west of Knoxville, with trucked-in sand, sand volleyball and seasonal paddleboard rentals. It is a designated swim area, but there is no lifeguard.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Contoocook Beach
Jaffrey
1.5 miles SE of JaffreyContoocook Beach is the Town of Jaffrey's sand beach on 344-acre Contoocook Lake, with a buoyed swim area, a bathhouse and concession stand, and Mount Monadnock filling the skyline across the water. Swimming is free for everyone, but the parking lot is re
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Frost Woods Beach
Monona
0.5 miles SW of MononaA small, free, unguarded City of Monona beach on shallow Wiicawak Bay, about 80 feet of sand in heavy woods at the 5800 block of Winnequah Road. Warm, murky bay water tested weekly for E. coli and blue-green algae from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Cowan Lake Public Beach
Wilmington
5.8 miles SW of WilmingtonA free, unguarded 1,000-foot public beach on the south shore of Cowan Lake, seven miles from Wilmington. Ohio DNR is drawing the lake down 13.5 feet for dam rehabilitation beginning November 1, and normal water levels are not expected back until summer 20
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
