Wishing you had a pool in your backyard? Who needs one when you’ve got the natural beauty of upstate New York’s many swimming spots within reach! So come stay at GO-Cottage and dip a toe in one of the Adirondacks’ 3,000 lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.
Need help narrowing it down? Here are some of the best swimming holes in the Adirondacks.
You may already know of Mirror Lake as a great spot for paddling and cycling around. It’s also a beautiful place to take a dip in – one of our personal favorites! The water is clean and fresh and you’ll be surrounded by mountains, trees, and sun. What a treat.
And it’s very convenient, located right off downtown Lake Placid and a short walk from GO-Cottage. Your best bet for a leisurely swim is to head to the Lake Placid Public Beach. The sandy shoreline also has a launch site for canoes or kayaks, a changing facility and tennis courts.
Another gorgeous Lake Placid “beach” is the north shore of Echo Bay. This swim spot is family friendly, with a shallow, sandy shore and no big rocks to bump into. It’s also easy to pull a boat up to if you fancy a paddle and swim combo.
Slightly more off the beaten path is the Whiteface Landing pond. This is a great option if you want to hike first and reward yourself with a refreshing dip in the water. You can access the pond via a 2.5 mile hike through the forest.
If you’re looking for variety, try the scenic triad of the Owen, Copperas, and Winch Ponds. Located in the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area, these ponds also present the opportunity to hike or paddle and then cool off. End your hike in Copperas Pond and you’ll be privy to a special view of Whiteface Mountain.
About 10 minutes from Lake Placid, you’ll find the pair of Upper and Lower Cascade Lakes. These scenic, narrow lakes are flanked by cliffs in Cascade Pass and feature a stunning waterfall flowing down Cascade Mountain. They’re easily accessible so you can swim and sunbathe without having to earn it with a hike first.
So if you’re going a bit stir crazy, break out of that stifling routine with a trip to Lake Placid! Nothing could be more refreshing than immersing yourself in sparkling Adirondack waters.
