Swimming is permitted at Onteora Lake (also called Lake Onteora), a roughly 120-acre lake within the Bluestone Wild Forest in Ulster County, New York. The lake sits on state Forest Preserve land managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and is one of the few publicly accessible lakes in the Catskills. There is no formal beach, no roped-off swimming area, and no lifeguards — you swim at your own risk. But swimming is legal and popular, particularly during the summer months when the shallow lake warms up quickly.
The lake is located just three miles west of Kingston, about a 10-minute drive from both Kingston and Woodstock. It is accessible off State Route 28, making it one of the easiest Catskills water destinations to reach from the New York State Thruway (I-87, Exit 19). For anyone looking for a quieter alternative to the more crowded swimming spots like Lake Minnewaska, Onteora Lake delivers a low-key, natural swimming experience surrounded by hemlock and oak forest with old bluestone quarries hidden in the hills around it.
What to Know Before You Swim
Onteora Lake has a maximum depth of about 20 feet in the northern portion, but much of the lake is shallower. The water can be silty, especially after rain, and visibility is limited compared to clearer mountain lakes. The bottom is soft in places. Water temperature rises quickly in summer due to the shallow depth, making it comfortable for swimming from roughly late June through early September. Earlier and later in the season, the water can be cold.
Because this is a DEC Forest Preserve site rather than a state park with a developed beach, there are no changing rooms, showers, or restroom facilities at the waterside. The nearest facilities are at the trailhead parking area, which has an informational kiosk. Only human-powered boats (kayaks, canoes) and electric-motor boats are permitted on the lake — no gas-powered motorboats. This means the water is calm and the swimming environment is generally quiet, shared only with anglers fishing from shore or from small boats. Fishermen tend to stay near the shoreline, leaving the center of the lake open for swimmers.
Standard NYS DEC Forest Preserve rules apply: carry in, carry out all trash; no glass containers; dogs must be on leash; fires only in designated fire rings at designated campsites. There is no admission fee to access the lake or the trails.
How to Get There
From the New York State Thruway (I-87), take Exit 19 for Kingston. Follow Route 28 west for approximately 5 miles. Turn left onto Wittenberg Road and continue about half a mile to reach the Onteora Lake trailhead and parking lot. During the regular season, you can drive the quarter-mile dirt access road all the way to the parking area near the lake. In winter, the access road is closed to vehicles, but you can park just off Route 28 and walk in. A large informational kiosk at the trailhead has detailed maps of the Bluestone Wild Forest, trail blazes, and rules for the area. The lake and its surrounding trails are also accessible to those exploring the Catskills swimming holes in the broader region.
Fishing at Onteora Lake
Onteora Lake was designated a warm-water fishery in the 2015 amendment to the Bluestone Wild Forest Unit Management Plan. The lake holds largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, white and yellow perch, brown bullhead, black crappie, chain pickerel, golden shiner, and alewife. A valid New York State fishing license is required. Bass tend to concentrate along the shoreline near fallen timber and structure. The lake is also a popular ice fishing destination in winter, particularly for panfish.
An accessible fishing platform is located at the end of a flat, wheelchair-accessible trail section that leads from the parking area to the water’s edge, passing a picnic table and observation area along the way. This makes Onteora one of the more accessible fishing spots in the Catskills. For anglers exploring other options in the area, the Esopus Creek — reached via Prayermaher Brook, which drains the wetland south of Onteora Lake — offers trout fishing in a very different setting.
Paddling
A hand launch on the west side of the lake provides access for kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized watercraft. No boat permit is required. The lake’s calm water and compact size make it well-suited for a relaxed paddle — you can cover the full shoreline in an hour or so. The surrounding forested hills and occasional cliff faces provide pleasant scenery, and the quiet conditions (no gas motors allowed) make it a good spot for combining paddling with a Hudson Valley swim. Bring your own boat — there are no rental operations at the lake.
Trails Around the Lake
The Bluestone Wild Forest contains roughly 29 miles of trail, much of it originally built for mountain biking. The trails directly accessible from the Onteora Lake trailhead include three color-blazed loops that can be hiked individually or combined.
The Yellow Loop (Onteora Lake Loop Trail, 3.2 miles) is the main circuit, passing through hemlock forests, along the lakeshore, past old bluestone quarry ruins, and near Pickerel Pond before returning to the trailhead. The first section of this trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers as far as the fishing platform. Beyond that, the trail narrows and becomes a standard forest path with occasional roots and rocks. Along the way, you will pass abandoned quarries — remnants of the 19th-century bluestone industry that gave the forest its name — and, on the Yellow Loop, an old overturned rusting car that has become a local trail landmark.
The Red Eft Trail (2.25 miles) ascends a ridge with vernal pools and upland forest scattered with pitch pines. In late July, blueberry bushes along this trail can be loaded with fruit. The Bluestone Trail (1.5 miles) traverses rougher, mixed topography and connects back to the Red Eft Trail via an old woods road. All three loops are manageable for families with children and are excellent for a low-key outdoor day with kids in the Catskills.
Camping
The Bluestone Wild Forest has six designated primitive campsites accessible from the Onteora Lake trailhead. These are first-come, first-served with no reservations. Each site has a fire ring and follows standard DEC backcountry camping rules — pack out all trash, no glass, dogs on leash. Note that the designated campsite closest to the parking lot has been closed indefinitely due to public safety concerns. The remaining sites are spaced along the trail system and offer a quiet overnight option for anyone who wants to combine a swim, a paddle, and a night under the trees without driving deep into the Catskills backcountry.
What Else to Know
Onteora Lake is a hidden-in-plain-sight destination — thousands of cars pass the turnoff on Route 28 every day without stopping. The lake is quiet on weekdays and uncrowded even on summer weekends compared to more popular Catskills swimming spots. The historical bluestone quarries scattered throughout the surrounding forest add an unexpected layer of interest to any visit. Wildlife in the area includes beavers, deer, otters, hawks, and a variety of songbirds, and the wetlands south of the lake are good birding habitat during migration seasons.
For supplies, Kingston (three miles east) has everything you need. Woodstock is a similar distance to the northwest. Neither the lake nor the trailhead has any concessions, potable water, or services — bring everything you need for the day, including water, food, and sun protection. If you are planning a broader Catskills trip, the area sits at the gateway to some of the region’s best hiking, swimming, and swimming hole experiences.
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