The Big Deep Swimming Hole
This is a Woodstock public park. You can usually dive in off rocks without fear of touching the bottom or do a cannonball off the rope swing, although this year as the water level is unusually low, the rope swing was not being used when we visited. To get there, drive to the intersection of Route 375 and 212 and head east towards Saugerties. After about a half mile, look for a gravel road on your right. There is no sign. It is across from a small garden center & grocery store (Gallo’s) and looks like a wooded driveway. Park here and follow the trail to the stream and a swimming hole. It is marked on google maps. Dog-friendly.
Millstream Swimming Hole
This small swimming hole is located on Millstream Road in downtown Woodstock between Tannery Brook Road and Rt 375. Parking is available on the road. You can also swim near the bridge where Tannery Brook Road crosses Millstream Road. Nice to cool off if you are in downtown Woodstock and fancy a quick dip!
Vernooy Falls (also known as “Trails End”)
This combines a scenic, two-mile hike (one-way) to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole in Vernooy Kill surrounded by hemlocks and shrubs on state land.
To get there, follow RT 28A-W (along the Ashokan Reservoir) past the intersection with RT 213 near Olivebridge to the intersection with RT 3. Take RT 3 southwest (becomes “Sampsonville Rd.”) for about 7 miles (just past Sampsonville) to the Riggsville/Palentown area. Turn right (northish) on Sundown Road. Follow Sundown Road for about half a mile, turning right at a slight fork. At the second fork (with a big tree in the middle island), turn left on Trail’s End Road (the sign is hard to see from the direction you’re coming from – look up and around you). Follow the steep road up, but beware of rocks and pits in the ‘road.’ There are a few pull-out parking spots along the way up if you are afraid to drive further. At the road’s end, there are numerous parking spaces.
