8 Refreshing Natural Pools You’ll Definitely Want To Visit This Summer In New York
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Lea Monroe
Author
Not every New Yorker is equipped with their own swimming pool in their backyard, leaving some of us with a variety of ways to decide on how we’re going to stay cool this summer. Some of us will pay a visit to our local public pool while others may take a more carefree route and simply run laps through the sprinkler in our yard. But if you happen to be interesting in going for a dip out in Mother Nature, then you’ll want to gaze your eyes upon these breathtaking natural pools that you have to visit this summer in the Empire State.
As of June 30th, 2018, permits will be required to gain access to the Peekamoose Blue Hole on weekends and holidays. In the last handful of years, New York's spectacular blue hole has become an increasingly popular place to visit and cool off during the summer. Unfortunately, not all visitors of the blue hole have been respectful, leaving trash and crowding up the area over the years. Due to the increase in visitors, the new permit rule has been enforced for the first time this year. So if you do decide to visit this place, be mindful of your surroundings, always follow the carry-in, carry-out rule, and grab a permit from Reserveamerica.com
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It seems like heading to one of New York's waterfalls during the summer is the best idea, huh? Offering both relaxation and a rush of adrenaline, at Split Rock Falls you can choose to wade in the water at the base of the falls or go cliff jumping if you're brave enough. Right along the Bouquet River in Elizabethtown in the Adirondacks, the base of the fall is a quick walk away from Route 9.
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Right in New York's City of Waterfalls, Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca makes for a stunning place to go swimming during the summer. Open for the swimming season between June 29th and September 3rd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends and holidays, Buttermilk Falls is one of a few places in New York where you can swim right at the base of a waterfall in a spring-fed pool.
Oh Ithaca, you spoil us with your beauty! Explore one of our most breathtaking state parks and go swimming at Enfield Falls in Ithaca. Part of Robert H. Treman State Park, by the lower entrance of the park you'll find the designated swimming area that sits right at the base of Enfield Falls. Visitors of the park are often sent here if places like Buttermilk Falls State Park are too crowded, getting the chance to enjoy swimming right up to a waterfall and exploring this magical park that's full of stunning hiking trails.
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If you're looking for a unique and natural pool to cool off in this summer, try heading out to Western New York to experience the cold waters that you'll find at Stony Brook State Park. Another one of New York's most stunning parks, when visitors aren't swooning over the park's hiking trails they're cooling off in the natural pool that's open from now until September 3rd from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Be prepared to feel refreshed though before you jump into this pool! This spring-fed water makes the temperatures here a bit chilly, but perfect on a hot summer day.
A secluded little paradise that not many people know exists, Lampson Falls up in St. Lawrence County offers explorers a quiet little natural pool of their own. Along the Grass River in the Grass River Wild Forest, Lampson Falls forms a perfect pool at the base that's great to go swimming in. Just a quick hike from County Road 27, Lampson Falls is a great place to spend the day and pack a picnic for.
Shelving Rock Falls may not have the deepest pool at the base of its falls, but that doesn't stop New Yorkers from coming to the Adirondacks and cooling off here anyways! During the summer when the falls are flowing beautifully and the water's a bit calmer, you can splash around and cool off at the bottom of Shelving Rock Falls after you take the .4-mile-long hike it takes to get here. And the best part? If you keep hiking past the falls, you'll eventually reach Lake George where you can cool off right in Log Bay!
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Millstream Swimming Hole and the whole Saw Kill in general, have always been a family-favorite place to cool off, but over the years the land surrounding the swimming hole has become private and considered to be trespassing. The best way to ensure that you're not anywhere you aren't supposed to be is by staying the night at places like The Woodstock Inn on Millstream, where you'll have access to this small-town swimming hole that will instantly relax you.
Where’s your favorite natural pool in our state to cool off in? If you’re looking for a more exhilarating way to cool off during the summer, check out This White Water Adventure In New York That’s An Outdoor Lover’s Dream!
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