Cool Off in the Catskills: The Best Lakes, Swimming Holes and Waterfalls Near Belleayre Mountain
Trade the air conditioner for a mountain lake. Summer near Belleayre Mountain is made for swimming in clear water, walking beside shaded streams, and feeling the mist off a Catskills waterfall. Within an easy drive of Alpine Four Season Lodge, you can hike all morning, cool off by afternoon, and be back for dinner, drinks, and a fire under the stars.
Here are the best lakes, swimming holes, and waterfalls in the immediate Belleayre Mountain area.
Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake
Just minutes from Belleayre Mountain, Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake is the easiest, most family-friendly way to cool off. The mountain lake has a sandy beach, lifeguard-supervised swimming, picnic areas, and real Catskills views. Rent a kayak, a pedal boat, or a rowboat, or just stretch out on the grass with a book.
What to expect: A relaxed mountain-beach atmosphere with facilities, rentals, and activities for kids and adults alike.
How to visit: Head to 33 Friendship Manor Road in Pine Hill. Admission is required, and the beach runs seasonally from late June through early September. Swimming ends at 5:30 PM on open days, so check current hours before you go.
This is the move for an uncomplicated summer afternoon: towels, sunscreen, snacks, and a few hours by the water.
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Few Catskills swimming spots hit like the Peekamoose Blue Hole (get a permit here > watch the video). Clear, blue-green water surrounded by forest and smooth rock, one of the region's most photographed natural swimming holes, for good reason.
The water is famously cold, even at the height of summer. That first plunge is memorable, and exactly what a hot morning outdoors calls for.
What to expect: A natural swimming hole, not a developed beach. No lifeguards, slippery rocks, and water levels that can shift after heavy rain.
How to visit: A $10 permit is required daily from May 15 through September 15, through New York State's Reserve America system. Each permit covers one vehicle and up to five people. Roadside parking isn't allowed, so book ahead and plan around the official lot.
Get the permit before you drive out, arrive prepared, and carry out everything you bring in.
Diamond Notch Falls
For a cool forest walk that ends at a real waterfall, visit Diamond Notch Falls. From the Spruceton Road trailhead, the route follows an old woodland road beside the headwaters of the West Kill, a gentler approach than most Catskills hikes, which makes it a strong pick if you want a payoff without committing to an all-day climb. At the falls, twin cascades tumble beneath a wooden bridge into a shallow rocky basin.
What to expect: About two miles round trip, roughly 300 feet of ascent, plenty of shade. The rocks near the falls run wet and slick
How to visit: Take Route 42 toward Spruceton Road, continue to the designated parking area near the road's end, and follow the marked Diamond Notch Trail.
Treat this one as a waterfall hike and a place to cool your feet, not a maintained swimming beach. Wear real shoes and skip the wet ledges.
A Better Kind of Summer Day
The best Catskills summer days don't need an elaborate itinerary. Coffee on the balcony. A hike beneath the trees. A swim in a mountain lake cold enough to reset your entire nervous system. Then back to Alpine Four Season Lodge for dinner off the grill, a quiet soak, and an evening by the fire.
A quick reminder: natural water conditions change fast. Swim only where it's permitted, watch kids closely, wear water shoes on rocky shorelines, and never jump from cliffs or ledges. Leave every spot cleaner than you found it.
Stay Near Belleayre Mountain, and Close to the Water
Alpine Four Season Lodge puts you minutes from Belleayre Mountain, Pine Hill Lake, and some of the most refreshing outdoor spots in the Catskills. Whether it's a family escape, a group weekend, or a few quiet days in the mountains, this is where the hiking trails, swimming holes, waterfalls, and long summer evenings all come together.
Book directly at www.alpinefourseasonlodge.com \u2192
Daniel & The Crew
32 Galli Curci Road, HIghmount NY 12441
