Summer and sunshine are upon us, with morning coffees on the deck and afternoon swims in nearby water holes. One of the most fantastic things about summer is a refreshing splash into a cool body of water. We have compiled a list of some of our favorite places, per county, to refresh and relax. Explore these locations and discover some secret spots on your own. Days on the water are one of the most rewarding gifts of summer!

Otsego County

Glimmerglass State Park
1527 County Road 31
Cooperstown, NY 13326

A beautiful swimming spot on Otsego Lake with lifeguards on duty, picnic tables and grills, and multiple hikes to get great views of the water. 

Wilber Pool courtesy of the city of Oneonta

Wilber Pool
1 Wilber Park Drive
Oneonta, NY 13820

Oneonta, NY, offers a clean and beautiful outdoor public pool in the summer months. There is ample grass to lounge and play in with sun and some shade to be found. 

Sullivan County

Mongaup Pond
231 Mongaup Pond Road
Livingston Manor, NY 12758

Mongaup Pond Campground and Day use area is home to the 120-acre Mongaup Pond. This is the largest natural body of water in the Catskill Park. The swimming area is monitored by lifeguards with picnic tables and restrooms available for your convenience. 

Mongaup Pond courtesy of PoconoGo

Lake Superior State Park 
342 Dr. Duggan Road
Bethel, NY 12720

Lake Superior State Park is located in Bethel, NY, and offers a sanded beach with lifeguards, picnic tables, paddle boat and row boat rentals along the gorgeous lake. 

Ulster County

Otter Falls
Oliverea Road
Shandaken, NY 12480

Otter Falls is an easily accessible waterfall and swimming hole on Esopus Creek. For the slightly adventurous, this swimming area does not have a lifeguard on duty but has crisp, cool water with a pool depth of 6-8 feet. 

Otter Falls courtesy of See/Swim

Moriello Pool 
32 Mulberry Street 
New Paltz, NY 12561

The Moriello Pool is a lovely pool complex in New Paltz, NY, offering memberships and day passes. There is grass to lounge in, restrooms, and all the swimming your family could ask for. 

Alder Lake
2 Cross Mountain Road
Hardenburgh, NY 12758

Alder Lake is a large body of water situated in a secluded area in the Catskill Mountains. There is a small walk to the water with a few hiking trails on location. There is a marinated lawn area and there are no lifeguards on duty 

Delaware County

Big Pond
343 Barkaboom Road
Andes, NY 13731

Little Pond
549 Barkaboom Road
Andes, NY 13731

Big Pond and Little Pond are two great swimming options in Andes, NY. Big Pond is free and open to the public with no lifeguards on duty. Little Pond is a campground and day-use area with a designated swimming beach. There is no lifeguard on duty but there is a safeguard protocol for all guests to follow. 

Little Pond courtesy of Great Western Catskills

Bear Spring Mountain
512 East Trout Brook Road
Downsville, NY 13755

Bear Spring Mountain and Day-Use Area has a designated swimming area situated in a woodys setting with crisp water. There is no lifeguard on duty but there is safeguard protocol to be followed for water safety.