7 Hidden Swimming Holes in Ulster County That Beat a Pool Every Time |
From Catskill creek pools to abandoned quarry lakes — the local spots where you'll actually want to spend your afternoon |
Anyone can sit poolside at a resort. But there's something about plunging into water that's been carved by glaciers, fed by mountain streams, or trapped in an old stone quarry that makes summer feel like summer should.
Ulster County has no shortage of swimming holes — some famous, some barely known outside the town they're in. Here are seven worth seeking out before Labor Day.
1. The Plattekill Clove Pools — Gardiner
Five minutes east of New Paltz, Plattekill Clove is a series of cascading pools and small waterfalls carved into the Shawangunk conglomerate. The most swimmable stretches are along the Platte Kill itself — shallow, slow-moving sections where the rock forms natural slides and diving platforms.
Getting there: Take Route 208 north from Gardiner, turn onto Plattekill Clove Road. Parking is limited — arrive before 11am on weekends. Local tip: The pool just upstream from the main bridge is shallow enough for kids and has a flat rock perfect for sunning.
2. Kaaterskill Falls Pool — Haines Falls
Yes, it's technically Greene County, but the 260-foot falls are close enough to the Ulster border that everyone considers it fair game. The pool at the base of the upper falls is cold, clear, and Instagram-famous for good reason — though the hike down is steep and the climb back up is no joke.
Getting there: Park at the Laurel House parking area on Route 23A. The trail to the base of the falls is about 0.8 miles but drops 200 feet in elevation. Local tip: Go on a weekday. This spot gets packed with day-trippers on Saturdays.
3. The Boiceville Quarry — Boiceville
Abandoned bluestone quarries dot the Esopus Creek valley, and the one near Boiceville is the most reliable swimming spot in the western Catskills. The water is deep enough to dive (check for submerged rocks first), the walls are high enough to jump from, and the surrounding trees provide shade by mid-afternoon.
Getting there: Take Route 28 west from Kingston. Just past Boiceville, look for the old haul road on the right — it's unmarked but well-worn. Local tip: The water is coldest in the morning. By 2pm, it's warmed up enough that you won't gasp when you jump in.
4. Falls Creek — Woodstock
Most people hike to the falls. The smart ones swim in the wide, calm pool just below the cascade. The water is gin-clear, the rocks around the pool are flat enough to lie on, and the canopy overhead keeps the spot cool even in August.
Getting there: Take Route 375 north from Woodstock village. The trailhead is at the end of Falls Creek Road. The pool is a 10-minute walk from the parking area. Local tip: The water level varies with rainfall. After a dry week, the pool shrinks to wading depth. Check conditions after heavy rain.
5. The Esopus at Allaben — Allaben
The Esopus Creek is famous for trout fishing, but in midsummer, after the snowmelt has slowed, the wide gravel bars and slow-moving pools near Allaben become a free, unguarded swimming area with mountain views in every direction.
Getting there: Route 28 west from Kingston, turn onto Route 214 toward Phoenicia. The public access is near the Shandaken trailhead — look for the pull-off on the left. Local tip: The current can be strong after rain. Stick to the shallows and don't try to cross the creek where it's deep.
6. Slide Mountain Pond — Oliverea
Technically a reservoir, but Slide Mountain Pond is small, shallow, and swimmable by late July. The hike in is short (0.6 miles), the view of Slide Mountain is uninterrupted, and you're likely to have the place to yourself on a weekday.
Getting there: Take Route 47 to the Slide Mountain trailhead. The pond is visible from the parking area — just follow the path around the right side. Local tip: No lifeguards, no facilities. Bring water, snacks, and a towel. Pack out everything you bring in.
7. The Radium Girls' Pool — Shandaken
Not officially named, but locals know it — the wide, shallow pool where Esopus Creek meets a smaller tributary just outside Shandaken village. The water is crystal clear, the bottom is sand and smooth rocks, and the surrounding trees make it feel like you're swimming in a forest cathedral.
Getting there: Route 28 west to Shandaken. Cross the bridge over the Esopus, turn right on the first road after the bridge. Follow it 0.3 miles to the creek access. Local tip: Early morning is magic here — the light comes through the trees and the water is glassy. Come back at sunset for a different show.
Before You Jump In
A few reminders:
If you're new to swimming in natural water: Always check the depth before jumping in. Rocks shift, currents change, and what looks deep enough might be shallower than you think. When in doubt, wade in slowly.
The Bottom Line
Ulster County's swimming holes aren't better than the pool because they're easier to get to — they're better because they're real. The water is cold, the rocks are hard, and you'll leave with scratches, memories, and that post-swim clarity you don't get from a chlorinated rectangle.
Find your favorite. Go back every summer. Tell nobody — or tell everyone. Either way, you'll know you found something worth keeping. |
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The tip about Falls Creek water level is real. Drove out there two weekends ago after a dry stretch and it was barely ankle deep. Would have been nice to know before making the trip. Good list overall but that one needs a rain disclaimer upfront not buried at the bottom.
Grew up swimming at the Boiceville quarry every summer. My dad used to drop us off there in the morning and pick us up at dinner. Glad it's still the go-to spot out that way but I'd be careful telling too many people about the haul road. Last time I went it was already pretty crowded for a Tuesday.
Terry MulvaneSame here, grew up out on Route 28 and the quarry was just where you went. Tuesday crowds are real now though. Went a few weeks ago and had to park way down the road. The more these places get written up the faster they fill up.