Before You Get In
The water in the Adirondacks is beautiful, but it’s also remote, cold, and unpredictable. These spots have no lifeguards, no signage, and no help nearby if something goes wrong. The rules:
• Test the water depth before doing anything. Wade in slowly. Submerged rocks shift with rainfall and current.
• Never swim alone. Buddy system, no exceptions.
• If it’s been raining, skip it. Water levels rise fast, currents change, and what was safe last week may not be safe
• Cell service is zero at most of these spots. Tell someone at camp where you’re going.
The Black Hole (Dunkley Falls / Mill Creek) — Wevertown (30 min from camp)
Directions: Route 28 east toward The Glen, then east on Harrington Road for about a mile to Mill Creek. Park, cross the bridge on foot, walk down to the creek. A deep, dark pool surrounded by rock outcroppings, with a rope swing downstream. The pool is genuinely deep (over 15 feet in places) and the water is cold. The classic local swimming spot.
Hudson River Recreation Area — Warrensburg (1 hr from camp)
A short walk down to a quiet stretch of the Hudson with natural quartz formations along the bank. Clean, calm water and rarely crowded. A perfect low-key spot for a chill afternoon with a book.
Chapel Pond — Route 73, Keene (1 hr 35 min from camp)
A roadside pond surrounded by tall cliffs that climbers train on. Cold, deep, beautiful water that feels like a cathedral. Bring sandals. The rocky entry is rough on bare feet, and the water is shockingly cold even in August. The classic post-hike cool-down spot.
The Flume Falls — Wilmington, off Route 86 (1 hr 55 min from camp)
A series of drops on the West Branch of the Ausable River, between Lake Placid and Whiteface. Park at the Flume Trail System lot, cross the road, and follow short trails along either side of the river. Multiple pools at different depths with rock formations between them. The lower pools below the second falls are wider and easier to access; the upper section is narrower and faster. Use caution! The current is strong in the narrow sections and the rocks are slick. Don’t swim here if the river is high after rain.
Calf’s Pen — Pilot Knob, Lake George (1 hr 30 min from camp)
A remote swimming hole on the eastern shore of Lake George, in the Fort Ann area. Accessible by boat or by a 30-minute hike from the Pilot Knob beach parking area. Head north down Camp Andrews Way until you reach a path into the woods. Deep, clear water surrounded by tall rock formations. The hike in keeps the crowds away.
Buttermilk Falls (Long Lake, 45 min from camp)
A series of small cascades with a wide swimming pool below, accessible right off the road. Easy parking, easy access, easy water. Family-friendly and a good spot if you want a casual swim without a hike.
Split Rock Falls (New Russia, off Route 9, 1 hr 45 min from camp)
Multiple pools fed by a series of waterfalls. The trails alongside the falls let you scout the different pools and find a quieter one. Parking is tight and fills up fast on weekends.
North Fork Boquet River
Roadside swimming holes upstream and downstream of the bridge. The best spot is about a quarter mile downstream. There’s a waterfall, a deep pool, and a small swim-in cave behind the falls. Worth the short walk.
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