Swimming Holes

[HikerNY]

Are there any good swimming holes in Minnewaska or surrounding areas. What I really am asking is are there any good cliff jumping areas here. I don't care if its illegal i just want to know. I already have been tothe one near the Peter's Kill parking lot right on the Peters' Kill itself. Any help woulld be apprecieated. Also is there anything else that is fun other than just hikinng. LIke slides or rock climbing ( without gear and stuff) or tarzan swings hidden in the forest by some youths. Im 34 by the way. i live in new york city.

[Jim]

Sorry I cant help you..... I am interested in this topic too.... I hope someone responds

[Guest]

Before it became a state park, my favorite spot was at the bottom of the big outcroppings which used to be under the Cliff House. There was one fissure that you could squeeze down, with perfect little toe holds and such, that took you to a lower rock that was perfect for climbing or jumping into the water. One day I'll sneak back for a slither down and a swim.

Beverly

[Guest]

We should get as many of us together as we can and stage a swimming protest right in the middle of the lake.

[Bill]

I am totally down.. get some ppl and lets pick a date.. i have 7 ppl ready to go

[gunx]

People still swim in the pool below Awosting Falls. I don't think you are supposed to swim there and I wouldn't recommend cliff diving there.

[Joe DeFalco]

I went swimming at Awosting Falls with my family last year. We were able to swim about fifteen minutes before the park ranger chased us out. We're going back for the fourth of July. Maybe we'll be able to swim a little longer this time.

[Guest]

Part of the trick is to find the water falls. They are throughout Minnewaska. There used to be paths to them off the old trails. Old topo/hiking maps should help!

[Guest]

There's a few spots north of 44/55 with falls that you can swim but their much smaller than Awosting falls. Still it's a blast,park at Peterkills and walk down to the stream. Follow it uphill for a while and you'll find a few good spots to swim and even cliff dive from about 15 feet.

[hawkhead]

If you go to High Falls, about 15 min. north of Minnewaska, there is a notorious cliff jumping spot. It is behind the D & H canal building before the bridge... careful though they are starting to crack down on trespassers.

[Guest]

How far into the woods do you have to hike to get there?

[Guest]

Swimming In State Parks is prohibited unless a certified state employeed life guared is on duty, and it is a designated swimming point...... its a legal issue, deal with it!

[Blutto]

Swimming In State Parks is prohibited unless a certified state employeed life guared is on duty, and it is a designated swimming point...... its a legal issue, deal with it!

What a crock of shit that statement is. It's our tax money that keeps the park open. And as for swimming being a legal issue,we are dealing with it by swimming and cliff diving anyway...

[rob]

How dissapointing..i went swimming in the swimming hole near the awosting falls years ago befor it became a state park. Welcome to the Nanny state!

[Ridge70]

Swimming In State Parks is prohibited unless a certified state employeed life guared is on duty, and it is a designated swimming point...... its a legal issue, deal with it!

What a crock of shit that statement is. It's our tax money that keeps the park open. And as for swimming being a legal issue,we are dealing with it by swimming and cliff diving anyway...

what really makes no sense is that you can completely roam around the cliff edges and take one step and plummet to your death...or, you can just simply be hiking on on of the footpaths, trip, fall, and hit your head on the rocks. i was on the verkeerderkill trail a few years ago and someone was being airlifted via helicopter cause they fell on the rocks.

but they get all up in arms if you go into an undesignated swimming area. give me a break.