Swimming at Minnewaska

You can swim at Minnewaska State Park Preserve only in the two designated swimming areas, on Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting, and only while lifeguards are on duty. NY State Parks currently says both swimming areas are closed until the 2027 season. Swimming in Awosting Falls, any other waterfall or any stream is never allowed, and the Sam's Point Area allows no swimming at all.

The Two Swimming Areas

• Lake Minnewaska: the swimming area on the lake by the visitor center and upper parking lot. It is the easy one to reach. See Lake Minnewaska.
• Lake Awosting (Awosting Beach): a beach on the far lake, 8.2 miles round trip from the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, about four and a half hours on carriage roads. You walk or bike there on the carriage roads. See Lake Awosting.

NY State Parks lists separate swimming beach hours for the two lakes when they are open. Check its Minnewaska page and its water-quality beach results before you go.

Closed Until 2027

As of October 2026, NY State Parks' Minnewaska page reads: swimming areas are closed until the 2027 season. It gives no opening date for 2027 yet. Do not plan a summer swim here without checking the official page that week.

Why the Waterfalls Are Off Limits

Awosting Falls, a short walk from the lower lot, looks like a swimming hole. NY State Parks says plainly that swimming is not permitted at the waterfall, and not in any stream or waterfall in the preserve. The park map also warns about cliffs and steep drops throughout. See Awosting Falls.

Sam's Point: No Swimming

The Sam's Point Area's own rules say swimming is not permitted in any lakes, streams or waterfalls. That includes Lake Maratanza. See Sam's Point.

Beach Rules

• Swim only in the designated area, only when lifeguards are on duty.
• No dogs at beaches or in bathing areas.
• No alcohol or glass containers anywhere in the preserve.
• No cooking or barbecues; picnic tables are first come, first served.
• No trash cans: carry out everything.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is on NY State Parks' list of activities at Minnewaska and needs a $20 season permit. The trail map marks a Diver's Cove at about 1,700 feet. Ask at the visitor center, (845) 255-0752, for current diving rules.

Other Places to Cool Off

Next door, Mohonk Preserve lists wading among the activities at its Coxing trailhead, where Split Rock on the Coxing Kill has long been a wading spot. It is a separate preserve with its own fee and rules, and dogs are not allowed in its ponds or streams. See Mohonk Preserve.