It May Soon Be Harder Than Ever To Visit This Stunning Swimming Hole In New York

By now it’s almost guaranteed that you’ve seen the unsightly pictures floating around the internet of trash covering the areas surrounding New York’s most stunning swimming spot — the Peekamoose Blue Hole. Possibly the most controversial natural wonder in our state, over the years social media and word of mouth have led more and more out-of-towners to this beloved spot — only to leave it worse off than it was before they arrived.

Now enforcing a system that they hope will have a positive effect on the blue hole, visitors who plan on making a trip on the weekends and/or holidays between May 15th and October 15th this year will require a permit from New York State. Ready to find out the rules and stipulations? Then keep scrolling to learn the latest.

Catskill Center/Flickr

Located in Ulster County along Rondout Creek, New York’s blue hole in the Sundown Wild Forest has stirred up an endless conversation about how to handle our state’s most precious natural wonders. After frequently becoming overridden with trash over the last few years, the Department of Environmental Conservation has finally come up with a plan in hopes of preserving this breathtaking area.

From now until October 15th, 2018, anyone who intends on visiting the Peekamoose Blue Hole will require a permit in order to do so. The first permit system of its kind for the state of New York, the idea of regulating a natural wonder so closely has many of our residents talking. Free for anyone and everyone, permits must be obtained no less than 24-hours beforehand and no more than 7-days before your trip. While many have rejoiced that the state has finally taken action to make sure that this area remains respected, others are upset by just how many people are going to be allowed to obtain a permit each day.

Related Stories

Why The Largest Natural Lake In The Adirondacks Belongs On Your Bucket List

Dine Right On The River At This Old-Fashioned New York Pub In The Mountains

A Trip To This Fossil Beach In New York Is An Adventure Like No Other

Catskill Center/Flickr

According to the state, only a maximum of 40 permits will be given out for each day needed. While 40 permits may not seem like a lot, each permit can cover up to six visitors — raising the overall total to a possible 240 visitors each day. Something that can be seen as either a good or a bad thing, hasty onlookers can’t forget that during the last several summers the blue hole was seeing up to 1,000 swimmers a day, leaving 240 visitors looking like a pinch of a crowd.

For those who are insistent on still swimming at the blue hole, you can obtain your permits on ReserveAmerica.com for free. If you’re curious about what other swimming holes are available nearby, you can also click here.

Let us know your opinion on the blue hole’s permit system, or what solution you would’ve preferred instead in our comments. To discover more places to cool off, read about these 7 Other Refreshing Natural Pools You’ll Definitely Want To Visit This Summer In New York!