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Best Swimming Lakes near NYC You Need to Discover

Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley

5/14/23 - By Sara F

These swimming lakes near New York City add to the bounty of options local families have for taking a plunge on a scorching day. While New Yorkers are lucky to be surrounded by water, including family-friendly beaches right here in NYC, plus those on Long Island or at the Jersey Shore, for families with little kids, the ocean can be intimidating, with its choppy waves and miles of hot sand without an inch of shade. If you're itching to get the kids out of the city to enjoy a swim in the great outdoors, what better place than one of the area's beautiful, tranquil, freshwater swimming lakes?

We've rounded up 11 swimming lakes in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut ripe for summertime visits. Some are even close to our favorite family-friendly campgrounds, making them perfect for a weekend away. Speaking of getting out of town, our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways has more picks for all seasons family travel.

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Remember that many of these state- or locally-run parks with swimming lakes have limited parking spaces, so once the lot is full, they'll start turning people away. Plan to arrive at opening time for the best availability. Before you go, read up on park rules and prices. Some allow barbecues; others do not. Many do not allow flotation devices, blow-up rafts, pool noodles, water wings, or other water toys.

Best Upstate New York Swimming Lakes for NYC Families

1. Canopus Lake – Carmel, New York

1 hour from Midtown Manhattan
Open weekends starting Saturday, May 27; daily from mid-June through Labor Day
This 100-acre lake in Fahnestock State Park boasts a large beach with picnic areas and hiking trails nearby, plus rowboat rentals and family camping. You'll also find a snack stand, restrooms, and shower facilities. Be aware that this swimming lake isn't staffed by lifeguards.

Swimming lakes near NYC: Lake Taghkanic
Lake Taghkanic offers a sandy beach, playgrounds, and more fun for kids. Photo courtesy of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation

2. Lake Taghkanic – Ancram, New York

1 hour, 45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
Open weekends starting Saturday, May 27; daily beginning Saturday, June 24
This gorgeous Hudson Valley state park swimming lake features a sandy beach. The park also has playgrounds, restrooms, a snack bar, picnic areas, hiking trails, paddleboats, and kayak rentals. If you can't bear to stay only one day, book a cabin or campsite along the water's edge. It's one of our favorite summer spots.

Swimming lakes near NYC: Lake Tiorati
Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park is always popular in the summer. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

3. Lake Tiorati – Southfields, New York

1 hour from Midtown Manhattan
Open weekends starting Saturday, May 27; daily beginning Tuesday, June 20
This popular swimming lake in Harriman State Park boasts a lovely sandy beach that can get crowded on hot summer weekends. The bathhouse has restrooms with showers. There are plenty of picnic areas and grills, but you might want to bring a full picnic basket—there's no concession stand, just vending machines.

Swimming lakes near NYC: North-South Lake
Take a dip in family-friendly North-South Lake. Photo by Diana Kim

4. North-South Lake – Haines Falls, New York

2 hours, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
Opens for the season on Friday, May 19
If you're hoping to take the family camping, consider booking at North-South Lake Campground. Swimming is available at the lake's two beaches as long as a lifeguard is present (call the campground for exact hours). Kids can stay busy with lots of additional activities, from hiking to horseshoes to playing on the playground.

Swimming lakes near NYC: Highlands Natural Pool
Highlands Natural Pool is carved out of a hillside in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Highlands Natural Pool

Best New Jersey and Connecticut Swimming Lakes

5. Highlands Natural Pool – Ringwood, New Jersey

1 hour from Midtown Manhattan
Open weekends beginning Saturday, May 27; daily from Saturday, July 1 through Labor Day
This Olympic-sized freshwater natural swimming pool in New Jersey is fed by a mountain stream and was carved out of a hillside in the 1930s. The pool goes up to 10 feet deep and includes a fenced-off shallow children's area. There is a snack stand, a picnic area, a beach volleyball court, hiking trails, and restrooms with changing facilities but no showers. The number of non-members allowed entry to this swimming lake in New Jersey is limited.

6. Lake Marcia at High Point State Park – Sussex, New Jersey

1 hour, 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
Visit the New Jersey DEP swimming schedule for updates on season hours.
At 1,803 feet above sea level, the view from the High Point Monument is a spectacular panorama of rich farmland and forest that spans three states. Its spring-fed Lake Marcia is a cool swimming lake. Lifeguards patrol the beach, and there is a bathhouse and food concession adjacent to the beach. In addition to being one of our favorite swimming lakes in New Jersey, High Point offers tons of recreation, including more than 50 miles of trails as well as picnic and camping facilities.

7. Lake Wawayanda in Wawayanda State Park – Hewitt, New Jersey

1 hour from Midtown Manhattan
Visit the New Jersey DEP swimming schedule for updates on season hours.
During the summer months, the clear waters of beautiful Lake Wawayanda, part of the Wawayanda State Park, draw folks from all over the state and beyond. The park is known for its scenic forested hills, many trails (including part of the Appalachian Trail), and tranquil atmosphere. The crystal clear waters make this a particularly spectacular swimming lake, offering glimpses of fish as they swim by. Adjacent to the beach are changing stations, restrooms, a first-aid station, and a concession stand. Visitors can also rent a variety of boats, including canoes, rowboats, and paddleboats. The swimming lake gets crowded on the weekends, so be prepared to arrive early. There is a fee, per carload, to enter the park.

Swimming lakes near NYC: Lake Hopatcong
Lake Hopatcong is the largest of New Jersey's swimming lakes and the surrounding park also offers grills, a concession stand, and playgrounds. Photo courtesy of Morris County, N.J.

8. Lake Hopatcong – Landing, New Jersey

1 hour from Midtown Manhattan
Visit the New Jersey DEP swimming schedule for updates on season hours.
The largest of New Jersey's swimming lakes, Lake Hopatcong is a significant draw for swimmers during the summer. Lake Hopatcong State Park, at the southwest end of the lake, boasts a sandy beach perfect for sandcastles, with picnic areas, a playground, a concession stand, restrooms, and shower facilities. Lifeguards keep the horseplay under control (we've seen them in action!). Get there early as the parking lot fills quickly on weekends.

9. Round Valley Recreation Area – Lebanon, New Jersey

1 hour, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
Visit the New Jersey DEP swimming schedule for updates on season hours.
Swimmers, boaters, and fishermen enjoy the blue waters of Round Valley Reservoir. Swimming is permitted in the day-use area only during the summer months, while lifeguards are on duty. Swimming is not allowed in the main reservoir. There are plenty of beach-side amenities at this swimming lake, including playgrounds, volleyball courts, changing areas with showers, and a concession building that sells food and beach supplies.

10. Bantam Lake – Morris, Connecticut

2 hours from Midtown Manhattan
This freshwater swimming lake in Litchfield County, the northwestern section of Connecticut, has two beaches, Morris Town Beach and Sandy Beach. Sandy Beach on East Shore Road has a concession stand, restrooms, and a shaded picnic area. There is no lifeguard on duty, so swim at your own risk.

11. Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park – Greenwood Lake, New York

1 hour, 15 minutes from Midtown Manhattan
Open weekends starting Memorial Day Weekend; daily beginning June through Labor Day
This 9-mile lake is divided in half by the New Jersey-New York border. On the New York side, in the town of Warwick, you'll find a small sandy town beach for swimming, known as Warwick Town Beach or Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park. The beach park, with restrooms, a volleyball court, and a playground, is popular with locals and has a low-key vibe. There are a few picnic tables, and sometimes a food truck or two shows up. Beach passes are limited to residents and property owners in the town of Warwick. Guests staying at local hotels, rentals, or Airbnbs can purchase a guest day pass. Employees of the local school district can also buy a day or season pass.

A version of this article was first published in 2017. It is updated annually.