Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
      • See all
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
      • Accessibility
      • Arts
      • Attractions
      • Downtown
      • Health & Wellness
      • History
      • Live Music
      • Parks
      • Shopping
      • Stories
      • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Hiking
        • See all
        • Nature Walks
      • ADK Guides & Tours
      • Birding
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Cross-Country Skiing
      • Cycling
      • Downhill Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Mountain Biking
      • Paddling
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Accessibility
      • Downtown
      • Getting Here
      • Greater Region
      • Stories
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
  • Local
    • Local title-header
      • Live Here
        • See all
        • Meet the Locals
        • Real Estate
        • Town of Harrietstown
        • Town of North Elba
        • Town of St. Armand
        • Village of Saranac Lake
      • Do Business Here
        • See all
        • Chamber Job Board
        • Essex County IDA
        • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
        • Professional Services
        • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Initiatives
        • See all
        • Arts & Culture Master Plan
        • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
        • Saranac Lake Brand
        • Village Community Development Department
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
        3. Accessibility
        4. Arts
        5. Attractions
        6. Downtown
        7. Health & Wellness
        8. History
        9. Live Music
        10. Parks
        11. Shopping
        12. Stories
        13. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Hiking
          • See all
          • Nature Walks
        3. ADK Guides & Tours
        4. Birding
        5. Boating
        6. Camping
        7. Cross-Country Skiing
        8. Cycling
        9. Downhill Skiing
        10. Fishing
        11. Golfing
        12. Ice Fishing
        13. Mountain Biking
        14. Paddling
        15. Snowmobiling
        16. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
      4. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      5. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      6. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      7. First Night Saranac Lake
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      7. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Accessibility
        3. Downtown
        4. Getting Here
        5. Greater Region
        6. Stories
        7. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
        1. Live Here
          • See all
          • Meet the Locals
          • Real Estate
          • Town of Harrietstown
          • Town of North Elba
          • Town of St. Armand
          • Village of Saranac Lake
        2. Do Business Here
          • See all
          • Chamber Job Board
          • Essex County IDA
          • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
          • Professional Services
          • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
        3. Community Initiatives
          • See all
          • Arts & Culture Master Plan
          • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
          • Saranac Lake Brand
          • Village Community Development Department

Tri to stay dry

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
ADK Blogger
August 03, 2016

A trio of prime swimming spots near Saranac Lake

If you're a water lover and you love to cool off, then you'll love Saranac Lake. Each of the following swimming spots has a little something different to offer — from a quick plunge to an after-hike hangout that'll make you feel like you're relaxing in the Caribbean, only with pine trees. And beavers. The best part is, all of these spots are easy to reach and are located a short drive from downtown, off of Route 3. 

A quick dip

Algonquin Avenue ends at this swimming spot on Lower Saranac Lake.
Algonquin Avenue ends at this swimming spot on Lower Saranac Lake.

I lived here for almost two years before I learned about this spot. It's not the kind of place I go to sit and read for an hour, but if it's hot and I want to jump into a lake it's quick and convenient. The view isn't too shabby, either.

This location is so obvious it's easy to overlook. From downtown Saranac Lake, head west on Route 3 toward Tupper Lake. You'll see the high school on the right. Shortly after that, turn right on Algonquin Avenue.

You'll know when you get to the swimming spot because the road ends at the lake. Just park by the guradrail and swim! This is a great spot to hit after a day spent mountain biking at

Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, which is just past Algonquin Avenue on the left.

Convenient cove

This not-so-secret swimming area is also a popular fishing spot.
This not-so-secret swimming area is also a popular fishing spot.

Not far past the Algonquin Avenue swimming spot there's an unmarked dirt road that forks off of Route 3 and drops quickly into the woods. It's just before a yellow "share the road" bicycle sign. If you reach the section of road that dips down to Lower Saranc Lake, you've gone a little too far. Turn around and you'll find the dirt road at the top of the hill on the left.

Follow the dirt road to a yellow barricade, where there's room for a few cars to park nearby. Park and walk past the barrier along the dirt road, which soon turns into a trail. You'll see water almost immediately. Stay on the path as it passes under hemlocks and winds past boulders and small ledges. There's even a sort of cave on the shore that's fun to explore. Look for a large rectangular cleft between two rocks and peer inside — you'll see daylight peeking through on the other side. Kids and adults alike love exploring this formation, so give it a shot!

Take the time to explore the little cave that's on the way to the swimming spot.
Take the time to explore the little cave that's on the way to the swimming spot.

Continuing on the path a litte farther leads to several cool lakeside hangout spots, so explore a bit before settling in. Whichever you choose, you'll have a fine view over the open water of Lower Saranac Lake that encompasses islands and small mountains.  

The best beach

A sandy beach in the mountains? No way!
A sandy beach in the mountains? No way!

Middle Saranac Lake Beach is popular for a reason — it's a short, easy walk from the parking area and the sandy beach extends far into the lake, making it a great spot for families. The beach is a worthy destination in its own right, but my favorite time to visit it is after a hike up Ampersand Mountain.

You'll find the parking area about 7.5 miles past downtown Saranac Lake. Just take Route 3 and pass the two swimming spots above and keep going. You can't miss the parking area — it's on the right, it's paved, and there's a sign for Ampersand Mountain. It's also well-known, so there will likely be a lot of vehicles parked there.

To get to the beach, simply follow the path at the back of the parking area until you hit water. It's only about a half-mile walk through a beautiful forest. The beach itself is quite long, so it's possible to claim your own spot, even on a busy summer day. But with one of the Saranac Lake 6ers — Ampersand Mountain — so close, why not work for your swim?

To get to the Ampersand trail, carefully cross the busy road from the parking area and follow the well-marked and well-traveled trail 2.7 miles to the open rock summit of the mountain. This is a popular trail, but don't let that fool you. The last mile is very steep, so be sure to allow plenty of time, bring plenty of water, and pack headlamps in case it takes longer than expected to summit. It's also a good idea to bring something warm, like a windbreaker or thermal shirt, for the summit, which is open and can be quite breezy even on a warm day.

If you'd rather go someplace with a life guard, visit Lake Colby Beach by heading north from downtown toward Paul Smiths on Route 86. It's on the left, across the street from the hospital. Water also means there's a lot of fishing and paddling to be had in Saranac Lake. Why not hire a guide to learn all about the best spots?


This week we're talking awesome ADK swim holes:

Hot stone massage

Cannonball

Hole other side of Tupper

Five places to wet your pants

Just keep swimming 

River runs through it

Dip into the Coast

Algonquin Avenue ends at this swimming spot on Lower Saranac Lake.
Algonquin Avenue ends at this swimming spot on Lower Saranac Lake.
This not-so-secret swimming area is also a popular fishing spot.
This not-so-secret swimming area is also a popular fishing spot.
Take the time to explore the little cave that's on the way to the swimming spot.
Take the time to explore the little cave that's on the way to the swimming spot.
A sandy beach in the mountains? No way!
A sandy beach in the mountains? No way!

Related Stories

Snowshoe Your Way to Winter Fun
The Taste of Community: Saranac Lake
Bar Flies and Fish Stories
Happy Campers
It's Snowmobile Season
Sweet Indulgences - Saranac Lake's Coffee Hotspots
Five Ideas for Winter Family Fun
Saranac Lake Adventure Travel
Three Fantastic Fall Hikes in Saranac Lake
A Fall Vacation with Hot Sara
Norman Ridge Ride
Lost Among the Rows
A Trip Around the Adirondack Carousel
A Decidedly Different Fall Day in Saranac Lake
Lake Kushaqua, A Beautiful Place to Rest
Fall Fun in Saranac Lake
Mt. Pisgah: The Adirondacks’ Finest Uphill Bike Park
Perfect Paddling at the VIC
Decidedly Different Saranac Lake
Hiking Haystack
Gravel biking at Kushaqua
It's All Good at the Saranac Lake Skateboard Park
A Week’s Worth of Nightlife in Saranac Lake
Paddling Middle to Lower Saranac Lake
Cycling Loops in Saranac Lake
Hot Town, Summer in the Village
Finding Fun and Snowfleas at the VIC
Cross-Country Ski The Jackrabbit Trail
Finding Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
Skiing from Placid to Saranac Lake
First Day on the Bog
Saranac Lake's Snowshoe Centers
Snowshoeing at the VIC
The VIC's Black Pond Loop
5 Paths to Winter Adventure in Saranac Lake
Summer Scoop: Five ADK Ice Cream Destinations
Hiking and Birding in Bloomingdale Bog
Rebuilding a Whitewater Park
Extreme Art: Painting Inside the Blue Line
Saranac Inn Golf and Country Club
Our Five Favorite Swimming Holes
Music on the Green 2018
Hiking an Adirondack Mountain for the First Time
Sweet Isle O' Mine - Adventures in Island Camping
Two Ways of Exploring the Natural World at the VIC
The VIC: It's Luxury Hiking!
Walking the Walk: 20 years of ArtWalks in Saranac Lake
Get down! The best low-elevation hikes in Saranac Lake
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration!
Rejoice!! May Birding is Here!!
Adirondack Fish Hatchery Experience
Three of Saranac Lake's Best Paddling Routes
'Round the Mountain Canoe Race - An Event For All Paddlers
The Excitement of Early Spring Birding!
Family Paddling Day: Planned for You
Get away with the girls
WINTER IS COOL
So Much Snow! And Some Great March Skiing!
Let's Glide - Enjoy Fish Creek Park!
Saranac Lake's Walk of Fame
Top 5 tips for fishing on Lake Colby
Family Ski at Dewey
Canoodlers and Lawn Chair Ladies
Woods and Waters Trail, a great ski!
A Holiday Ski!
First Skis of the Season!
Calling All Rock Hounds
Get Acclimated!
Feeling Grateful
Detours are great!
Paddling Jones Pond in the Fall
A Fall Hike Up Mount Baker
An Evening Paddle on Lake Clear Outlet
Azure Mountain Adventure
The Great Adirondack Corn Maze
A Fall Paddle on Little Green Pond
Fall Migration is in High Gear!
When the twenties roared
Fall Seasons Cold Water Paddling
4 Go-To Paddling Destinations for Fall Foliage
An Evening Paddle on Middle Pond
Crossbills and Boreal Birds
Moose Pond: A Cool Fishing and Camping Combo
Paddling and Birding along Quebec Brook
How to pick your camping spot
McKenzie Road Bouldering
Not just a walk in the park
Rugby — A Gentleman’s Sport
Six Nations, First People
Family fun that's free
Stock up for your stay
Sprung!
To get the trout, get the gear
Three hikes to include everyone
Vroom! Daffest Derby creator shares memories
Slow paddle to Oseetah
Skiing and Exploring the Jackrabbit Trail
Get out and art!
A Great Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail!
Dewey Mountain - Just Wild Enough
Ice Fishing First-Timer
2016 Most Popular Blogs
We can dash through the snow
Make Holiday Memories at Moody Farm
Cross Country Skiing in Lake Clear
Enjoying Late Fall Cold Fronts And Their Migrants
Great Fall Birding!
New Road Mountain
Dia de Muertos at Pine Ridge
A Fall Paddle On Lake Clear Outlet
Don't be afraid of the kayak
The Possibilities Of Fall Birding
A Fall Hike on Baker Mountain
Ampersand: A Family Tradition Realized
Village of Boulders
Zooming Around in the Fall
So many hikes, so little time
Girls just wanna have fun
Searching for Philadelphia Vireo and other species
The coolest camping is on an island
Tri to stay dry
Puppy's first mountain climb
A Rainy Day Birding Trip in Madawaska
Coolest Places to Get Your Cone On in Saranac Lake
Coolest Adirondack Chopped Challenge!
Planting seeds
A beginner's mountain bike adventure
A Friends Weekend in the Coolest Place
Don't miss the summer's coolest events
History Is Cool: The Lab Museum
Early Spring Birding!
Wonderful Weddings in Cool Places
Five Fun (and obscure) Facts about Saranac Lake!
Springing!
Spring Ice on the McKenzie Mountain loop
Cross-Country Skiing on the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
Yeah, we're cool - no matter what we're wearing!
Shops with personality plus
Gray Jays!
Fun with Ice: Saranac Lake Creativity
2015 Most Popular Blogs
Five Great Wilderness Views
Trotting for Turkeys
Select seven: Family hikes under four hours
Shopping without the stress
Tubing: the sport to please the masses
Timeless Tubing at Mount Pisgah
Excellent October Birding!
Brighton: Dusk 'til Dawn
Unleash Your Inner Picasso
Paddling and Hiking Around Little Green Pond
Camping in the Cold (Disclaimer: This is NOT a How-To Guide)
A Cool Adirondack Adventure
Fall Warblers and Other Migrants!
Enjoying Late Summer Wildflowers!
Dog Days of Summer aka Beach Time!
Martha Reben: Staring down the Great White Plague
Seeing if the boot fits: Exploring the Bays
Lake Clear: Our Secret Paradise
Paddling and Birding Around Jones Pond
Paddling Middle Pond
Stevenson Cottage - small outside, a world inside
Paddling in the Adirondacks for the First Time!
Hiking with the Crew up Baker Mountain
Riding the Rails, Adirondack style!
Keeping It Local
July is when things heat up!
Great Birding at Intervale Lowlands - It's that Time of Year!
Finding Lots of Birds Just by Taking a Simple Walk
Coming Home to Saranac Lake
Great Birding and Loads of Warblers in Madawaska!
Saranac Inn, golf with a taste of Scotland
Free Water Park Ride In Our Backyard
Summer music is everywhere in Saranac Lake
Early May Wildflowers: A Kaleidoscope of Color
Fun and Free (or almost)
A Spring Hike Up Baker Mountain
5 reasons we are the Lake Country
Learning to Love Every Season
Exciting Beginnings of Spring Migration!
In Defense of Mud Season
Skiing in April and on Easter - No Foolin'!
Winter Carnival announces Summer Ice Palace
Boreal Birding In and Around Town
The Joy of Spring Skiing
Saranac Lake is a dog town
Adirondack Cure for Cabin Fever
Jackrabbit Trail: Lake Placid to Keene
Jackrabbit Trail - Day 2: McKenzie Pond to Lake Placid Pub & Brewery
Newbie Skier Tackles Titus
Memorable Firsts: Carnival & Cross-Country Skis
Skiing the Fish Pond Trail
February Fun and Games in Saranac Lake
Wedding planning with the pros
Two sides of the Trifecta
Enjoying Winter Birding
Adirondack Traditions, then and now
Enjoying White Snow to Take Away the Winter Blues
Wellness Resolutions: Easy does it!
An Evening Sleigh Ride in the Adirondacks
Four Seasons of High Points
Skiing - and Falling - in a Winter Wonderland
Early Season Cross-Country Ski Destinations
Fly our Adirondack skies
St. Regis Canoe Area - An Interesting Ski Tour
Where to find hot beverages
The First Ski of the Season!
Healthy Holidays, Adirondack Style
A picture's worth a thousand words - epic winter events
Birding Along Lake Colby
Saranac Lake Remembers the Great War
A Guide to the Great Indoors
Adirondack Firetower Challenge: Climbing the Fire Tower Peaks near and around Saranac Lake
New fun at Titus Mountain Ski Area
Doing the Doggie Paddle: Paddling the Adirondacks with your pet!
Norman Bethune, the hero, the artist
An Apt Pair: Ampersand Mountain & Follensby Clear Pond
The biggest Cure Tour of them all
History Comes Alive in Saranac Lake
Learning to Identify Fall Leaves
The Horse Knows The Way
Mount Pisgah getting ready for winter ski season
Paddling and Snorkeling Little Green Pond
A Red Phalarope at Little Clear Pond!
Searching for Fall Warblers and Other Songbirds
Boat Trip Massages: Two Roads to Wellness
Forks, Fests, and Flatwater: 3 Featured Fall events
Paddling Little Clear Pond
3 Short Paddles found in the St. Regis Canoe Area
Paddling Lake Clear Outlet
Hiking and Exploring Azure Mountain
See artists at work in the mountains
An Evening Paddle on Moose Pond
A Great Place to Break Down
A cure cottage tour, a step back in time
The Art Walk is a path to art, music, and fun!
Mid-summer events in Saranac Lake
Adirondack Paddling, Choosing the Right Paddle
Adirondack Paddling - Choosing The Right Boat
Frankenstein Lives! In the old laboratory in the village
Birding at the Spring Pond Bog
“One Particular Island” all to ourselves
Events roundup for Saranac Lake
Roughing it in style: a tour of White Pine Great Camp
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
Spring Paddling on Lake Colby
One Magic Canoe: The Seven Carries Canoe Route
Roadside Gems, Paddling the Saranac Lake Region
5 Hidden Gems for Hiking, Paddling & Trail Running
Art Event or Fun Party? BluSeed blurs the line
Daffest is just around the corner
Our lakes were born for boating
Top 10 Spots for Paddling in Adirondacks
Get Ready For Fishing Season
VIC music sweetens a ski Sunday
Winter Foodie Scene
Spoken Word: Poetry on Stage
Thursday Night Music Jam
Breakfast & History
Night Skiing at Mt. Pisgah
Mid-Winter Events 2014
Top Five Winter Break Activities
Best Ice Fishing Holes
Building the Ice Palace
Tubing Adventures at Mt. Pisgah
Silent Night
Snowshoe Shopping
Lost and Found
Short & scenic hikes
Debar Mountain and Black Peak
Saranac Lake Art Attraction Nov 22 - Dec 28, 2013
Ducks and Otters at Lake Colby
Muskrats!
Goodman Mountain
Ducks on the Pond
Saving Einstein
You Don't Paddle Into the Wind
Hiking St. Regis Mountain
Fall at the VIC
A Fall Paddle on Jones Pond
A Fall Hike Up Baker Mountain
Sparrows Along Lake Colby
Going to Church
Visitors in My Yard
Painted Landscapes, Clay Demonstrations, and Chickens...all a part of the Artist at Work Studio Tour
A Hike Up Panther Mountain
Where the leaves are on fire with color
Artist at Work Studio Tour this week
The Colors of Late Summer
Fun family events for fall foliage season
Bloomingdale Bog Birds
Fifth Annual Hobofest: Music, Food and Fun on the Tracks
Late Summer Yard Birds
Stomping out the Saranac 6 – Week 2 – St. Regis Mountain
Hobofest tops the calendar this weekend
FlavorFest at The Wild Center
Hobofest Returns to Saranac Lake
Lows Lower Dam to Lows Ridge, A surf and Turf Adventure
The Osgood's
A Birding Trip in Madawaska
Black Pond to Bridge Brook Pond – A new trail
Local Massage Therapist Takes It Up A Notch
Local Family Friendly Swimming Spots
A peaceful afternoon on Jones Pond
Take A Swim!
Ampersand Mountain
Hiking and Birding on Baker Mountain
Entertaining events will keep you hopping this weekend
A Birding Trip to Bloomingdale Bog
Blog on Bogs
Top 5 Family Friendly Activities in the Saranac Lake Area
Searching for Spruce Grouse
Camping in the rain - better known as "damping"
Safe Guiding Services with High Adventure!
Follensby Clear Pond to "Round Pond"
Trail Running the Deer Pond Loop
Birding in Spring Pond Bog
Hiking and Birding on the Jackrabbit Trail
Birding in Massawepie Mire
Lower Saranac Lake Path
Long Pond to Pink Pond's
The Amphibious Choirs of Spring
Little Clear Pond and Grass Pond, a Canoeing experience
The Kettle Trail
Hiking from the North End of the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•DEI•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES