Ancram Town Pool
Tucked down a hill near the Ancram fire station within Blass Memorial Park, the Ancram Town Pool offers a place to cool off after a picnic at the pavilion or time on the playground.
The pool is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Ancram Summer Camp uses the pool for swim lessons. The pool is open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. on those days. Campers have free swim from 1 to 3 p.m., however, so the pool may be crowded during those hours.
Parking is available on the grass next to the pavilion. Accessible parking is available down the gravel path closer to the pool. Admission is free for Ancram residents. Nonresidents pay $3 per person per day or $50 for a family season pass.
It is the only swimming spot on this list without sand, making it ideal for those who prefer to keep their feet clean while beating the heat.
Address: 1304 County Route 7, Ancram, N.Y. 12502
Lake Taghkanic Beach
Lake Taghkanic State Park covers nearly 1,600 acres surrounding the expansive Lake Taghkanic. In addition to camping, hiking, and boating, the park offers a large beach for swimming and wading.
Admission is $10 per vehicle. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Swimming is permitted only when a lifeguard is on duty. Lifeguards are stationed at the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends.
The beach area includes restrooms and showers. A water refill station is available at the nearby park office. Woodlake Cafe, also near the beach, sells food and drinks.
With its range of recreational activities and amenities, the park is ideal for visitors looking to turn a swim into an all-day trip or weekend getaway.
Address: 1528 Route 82, Ancram, N.Y. 12502
Pine Plains Beach
Set in the shadow of Stissing Mountain, Stissing Lake Park offers scenic views, spacious grounds, and open waters.
Swimming at Pine Plains Beach is permitted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free for Pine Plains residents and $3 per day for nonresidents.
The park recently introduced a swim-at-your-own-risk access point to the lake for adults 21 and older. The new entry offers experienced swimmers access to open-water swimming outside the designated beach area.
Address: Stissing Lake Park, Beach Road, Pine Plains, N.Y. 12567
Wilcox Memorial Park
A winding road through the wooded grounds of Wilcox Memorial Park in Milan leads to a swimming lake with decorative fountains.
The lake is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is free. The park also features a splash pad known as the “sprayground.” It is open until 6 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on weekends.
The sprayground is well suited for families with young children who may not yet know how to swim. Parents can relax nearby while their children play in the water.
Address: Wilcox Memorial Park, Route 199, Milan, N.Y.
Stanford Recreation Park
The towering spires of SPARC Park Playground dominate the view from the parking lot, but beyond the colorful castle are the sandy shores of Stanford Recreation Park’s swimming pond.
The pond is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Day passes cost $5 for Stanford residents and $8 for nonresidents. Stanford residents 65 and older swim for free.
The pond accommodates swimmers of different ages and abilities. Safety lines mark the water’s depth, helping children remain in the shallows, while lanes in the deeper section are available for lap swimming.
Address: 40 Creamery Road, Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581