14 Free Swimming Holes near Skaneateles
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Skaneateles near Skaneateles, New York City, Zip, or Address
Rattlesnake Gulf
Utica-Rome, NY, New York
13.8 miles SECLOSED. This is now private property with No Trespassing posted. A 2-mile round-trip hike to a 25-foot waterfall with a swimming hole at the base — expect downed trees, slippery rocks, and a small day-use fee at this seasonal Upstate New York spot.
Swim
Cayuga Lake State Park
Seneca Falls
16.6 miles WA lifeguarded state park beach on the north end of Cayuga Lake, east of Seneca Falls. Swimming runs late June through Labor Day, with a $7 vehicle fee in season and frequent algal bloom closures.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Fillmore Glen State Park
Moravia, New York
17.1 miles SA charming dam-formed swimming area at Fillmore Glen State Park near Moravia, New York — 6-to-7 feet deep with lifeguards, a jumping spot (no diving), grassy sunning area, and stairs to the water. $7 per car, or walk in free.
Swim
Green Lake Beach
Fayetteville
24.7 miles EThe lifeguarded sand beach at the north end of Green Lake, a meromictic lake near Fayetteville whose calcite whiting events turn the water a milky turquoise. It is the only legal place to swim in Green Lakes State Park, and the vehicle fee is $10 in seaso
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Taughannock Falls State Park Beach
Trumansburg, New York
29.0 miles SLifeguarded Cayuga Lake swim beach at Taughannock Falls State Park, a short walk from the gorge trail to the 215-foot falls, on NY 89 north of Ithaca.
Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Fair Haven Beach
Fair Haven
30.6 miles NWFair Haven Beach State Park keeps 1,500 feet of sand on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, with 600 feet of it guarded, split into West Beach and East Beach by the channel draining Sterling Pond. Entry is $9 a vehicle, the beach season runs late May
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Six Mile Creek Area
Skaneateles, New York
36.5 miles SSeveral swimming spots in Six Mile Creek south and east of Ithaca, New York — clothing optional in some locations; see local guides for access details.
Swim
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Ithaca, New York
37.3 miles SOfficial swimming with a lifeguard and diving board in the large, deep pool at the base of Buttermilk Falls near Ithaca — a fee-required, easy-access alternative to Treman.
Swim
Treman State Park
Ithaca, New York
38.5 miles SLifeguarded swimming in a deep pool beneath a dramatic waterfall with a diving board — then hike the Gorge Trail above to the fantastically beautiful 115-foot Lucifer Falls.
Swim
Verona Beach State Park
Verona Beach
38.6 miles NEGuarded sand beach on the east shore of Oneida Lake at Verona Beach State Park, open for swimming in summer with a $7 per car state park entry fee. Late-summer algae blooms sometimes close the swim area.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Kershaw Swimming Beach
Canandaigua
42.6 miles WFree, lifeguarded city beach on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake at Kershaw Park, open daily in summer (May 24 to Aug 21 in 2026). Swimming only in the marked area with guards on duty.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Rock Stream
Rock Stream, New York
43.4 miles SWSwim near Rock Stream, New York
Swim
Salmon River Falls
Salamanca, New York
48.2 miles NESwim near Salamanca, New York
Swim
Sandy Island Beach State Park
Pulaski
48.7 miles NA guarded 1,500-foot sand beach on Lake Ontario's eastern shore near Pulaski, New York, backed by restored freshwater dunes. Lifeguards in summer; $7 vehicle entrance fee.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
