The Catskill Mountains north of NYC are filled with so many serene escapes you’d need to spend weeks there to fully explore them all–from this stunning wellness retreat to this Scandinavian-inspired hygge destination. But with a hotter and rainier summer than usual heading our way we’re thinking more about places where we’ll be able to cool down, and the Catskill’s stunning Peekamoose Blue Hole is the perfect swimming hole to head to and do just that.
About 2.5 hours from NYC you’ll find Peekamoose Blue Hole, one of the many swimming holes in the region of the Catskills. After a short hike through the 30,100-acre Sundown Wild Forest you’ll come across the swimming hole in all its crystal clear water glory–thankfully the hike is short and easy, but do keep in mind it’s a slightly steep walk down.
A bit of history…
According to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, Peekamoose Blue Hole has been carved out over time completely by nature–specifically from years of sand and swirling gravel in an ancient whirlpool. The New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation writes that the Blue Hole is part of the Rondout Creek, which flows through the Peekamoose Valley to the Rondout Reservoir, which provides almost half of the drinking water for more than 9 million people in the NYC metropolitan area!
Stunning crystal clear waters
Peekamoose Blue Hole’s crystal clear waters offer a welcoming way for New Yorkers to cool down in the warmer weather–if you’re not feeling brave enough to plunge into the water from the raised rock platform there is a path that allows you to walk into the water at your own pace. However, the water here is so refreshingly cold that jumping straight in may be the only way you actually do make it in!
A true escape into nature
In recent years officials have began to limit the amount of guests allowed at once to the swimming hole due to overcrowding and littering, so on the bright side you likely won’t have to worry about overwhelming crowds. It is important to note, though, that cell reception is certainly spotty and parts of the hike are on private property, so don’t wander far from the trails.
Visiting Peekamoose Blue Hole
To enjoy Peekamoose Blue Hole you must first reserve a $10 parking permit up to a day before you plan to visit (permits are required daily between May 15th and September 15th).
When arriving stop at the parking lot with the check-in table so you can show your permit, then walk in the direction of Buttermilk Falls and you’ll come across a little path leading down to the water. Parking is limited to designated parking areas only, and parking along the shoulder of the road is prohibited.
Important things to note
The Blue Hole is only open to the public from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset and the following are prohibited:
- Camping
- All fires (including charcoal fires, wood fires, gas grills, propane stoves or other portable stoves)
- Use of portable generators
- Glass containers
- Alcoholic beverages
- Radios and other audio devices
- Coolers larger than 12″ in any dimension
Oh, and keep in mind that there’s a high level of bear activity in the Peekamoose Valley–you can learn more about avoiding human-bear conflicts during your visit here.