Natural Swimming Holes
It’s July. Time to go jump in a lake! Don't forget your towel.
Lake Placid Public Beach: Located right in downtown Lake Placid, the public beach is on the south end of Mirror Lake. This is the launch point for the swimming portion of the Lake Placid Ironman. The sandy beach has a pier perfect for jumping off into summer. There's also a changing facility, tennis courts, and playground.
Copperas Pond: Between Lake Placid and Wilmington, you’ll find Copperas Pond. A great swimming hole during the hot days of summer. Take Route 86 toward Wilmington. About 5 miles from Lake Placid you’ll see the southern trailhead on the right and an additional 1.1 miles to the northern trailhead also on the right. There are several ponds along this walk, but Copperas is a favorite.
Ampersand beach on Middle Saranac Lake: Just beyond the village of Saranac Lake, on Route 3, you’ll find the Ampersand Mountain trailhead parking. Follow the trail leading towards the water from the parking lot (not the trail across the road which goes up the mountain). Follow this trail for around .6 miles and you’ll come to a little clearing with an outhouse, and the trail has a small opening for the large beach. This is a popular destination for hikers after finishing Ampersand Mountain.
Covered Bridge and Jay Rapids: In the town of Jay, there are multiple options for swimming near the covered bridge just off Route 9N. A town park was made in 2008, and from there you can access the swimming holes in the Ausable River. From Route 9N in the center of Jay, head onto Mill Hill Road. To the right will be a bridge, cross it. Now you'll be on N. Jay Road, and you can leave your car near the park.
Ausable River / Marcy Field: The Marcy Field swimming hole, between Keene Valley and Keene, is a nice flat water spot for younger children and people who really like to wade. From Route 73, across the road from Marcy Field (airport), there is a small park with picnic tables and a swimming hole in the river.
Chapel Pond: Over by Keene and Giant Mountain, Chapel Pond is right off the road and has a great sandy beach. It’s the perfect spot to go after a hike in the area. Take Route 73 past Keene Valley, and look for the Chapel Pond parking area on the right.
Shoebox Falls: Tucked away off Route 73, Shoebox Falls is only a five-minute walk from the road, but you would never know it was there unless somebody pointed it out. There are no signs, and not much in the way of parking spots. The North Fork of the Boquet River cascades down from between two of the Adirondack 46 High Peaks, Dix, and Noonmark, and makes the short drop into the deep pool that gives Shoebox Falls its name. Even on the hottest days, the water can be cold. Take Route 73 past Keene Valley. Once you've gone past Chapel Pond, start looking for a stone bridge over the river, designed for cars and not pedestrians. If you've reached the junction where the roads start to look like a pretzel, you've gone too far. Once you manage to park, carefully cross the bridge (if you're on the far side of it) and walk along the road until you see an unmarked trail heading into the woods. Follow this up, and to the right, and you will find it.
