Swimming Holes near Binghamton, NY

Swimming near Binghamton: Start With Designated Park Areas

A useful swimming plan starts with a named beach, an operating schedule and the correct entrance. A creek appearing on a map, or people using an informal riverbank, does not establish swimming permission.

Official sources checked September 21, 2026. The schedules below describe published seasons, not live opening status. Confirm the current notice before travelling.

Three Places to Research

Place	What the operator lists	Check before leaving
Chenango Valley State Park	Seasonal swimming beach	Main entrance off Route 369, swimming schedule and alerts
Greenwood Park	Lake beach with seasonal swimming	Beach operation, changing facilities and current conditions
Dorchester Park	Seasonal beach at the reservoir	Beach status and the correct day-use entrance

Chenango Valley: Use the Main Entrance

The official Chenango Valley page lists a swimming beach at 153 State Park Road, Chenango Forks. It specifically warns that navigation can send visitors to the Rogers Road gate, which is closed during spring, summer and fall; use the main entrance off Route 369.

The posted 2026 schedule ran on weekends from May 23, then daily from June 20 through September 7, with swimming hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Do not apply that schedule to another season without checking. Park information is available at 607-648-5251.

The presence of two lakes in the park does not mean both have swimming beaches. Follow signs to the designated area rather than choosing an arbitrary shore.

Greenwood: Lake-Beach Planning

Broome County's Greenwood page describes a sand beach, swimming and non-swimming sections, lifeguards, and changing areas with showers and restrooms. Its published swimming season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with hours that may vary.

This is a lake-beach option, not a recommendation to seek out an unmarked stream pool. Confirm the day's operation before making swimming the purpose of your trip. Camping is a separate reservation decision.

Dorchester: Check the Beach, Not Just the Reservoir

The official Dorchester page lists a beach season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and says the park itself remains open year-round. Those are different schedules.

The park also has boat access, picnic facilities and restrooms. A boat launch is not a substitute swimming entrance. For park information, call 607-692-4612 and ask specifically about beach operation.

Places Not Confirmed for This Shortlist

Oquaga Creek State Park: The current official page describes Arctic Lake and park facilities, but did not provide a current swimming schedule in this review. Call 607-467-4160 before planning to swim. We are not recommending the previous guide's upstream creek-pool route.

Informal Rock City and Susquehanna locations: This review did not establish a specific permitted swimming entrance or current conditions for those suggestions. They are not included as confirmed alternatives.

Watkins Glen: Its gorge is not a swimming option. The official trail map prohibits swimming in the gorge; the park has a separate constructed pool to research.

Before You Go

• Confirm swimming is operating, not merely that the park is open.
• Save the actual beach entrance and check current fees.
• Ask about restrooms, accessible entry and any restrictions relevant to your group.
• Have a dry-land backup activity if the beach is closed.

Browse the New York directory for additional research, or compare the clearly separated beach, pool and sightseeing options in our Ithaca guide.