The long wall of the Catskill escarpment across the valley, seen from Olana

Swimming & Beaches

2 places 2 towns $16 one-time

The Hudson Valley's swimming options are scattered rather than abundant. Kingston Point Beach sits on the river itself on the footprint of a steamboat-era amusement park, with calm water, a playground, and disc golf. Silver Lake Park in Croton-on-Hudson is smaller and quieter, though access is limited to village residents, school-district residents, and their guests. Both have lifeguards and suit families; neither charges admission. Scout access before visiting either one.

What we thought of each of these 2 places is in the guide. $16 for all 460 places.

Swimming & Beaches 2 places

Free to read

Great Kingston

Kingston Point Beach

Kingston's one real river beach: calm water off a filled point that used to be a steamboat-era amusement park, a playground and disc golf course next door, and the Sojourner Truth cliffs across the water the whole time you're swimming.

Cost: Free
Hours: Lifeguards Wed–Sun summers; self-serve year-round
Season: Summer

Heads upParking fills quickly on warm weekend days. Lifeguards on duty Wed–Sun summers only, 10am–4:45pm. Water tested regularly; closures posted online.

Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake Park in Croton-on-Hudson: a small, lifeguarded resident beach since the early 1900s. Quiet alternative to busier Hudson Valley beaches.

Cost: paid
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (seasonal, summer)
Season: summer (late May through August)
Access: Yes

We rated all 2 of these.

The names and the practical detail above are free. The guide adds what we thought of each place, how we rated it and what to watch out for, including the ones we'd tell you not to bother with. It does the same for the other 458 places in the other categories.

You pay once. Access doesn't expire, and anything we add or correct later is included.

Towns covered

Croton-on-HudsonKingston

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