Durham School Building
Park
4 (4)
#4099, Durham, NY 12422
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Three Historical Creek Approaches With Unresolved Present Bathing AccessNY
Durham Catskills Swimming Holes
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Check the old Leeds, Cornwallville Creek and Catskill Creek approaches without relying on private inn paths, bridge shoulders or ropes as public swimming access.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Obtain lawful entry and respect posted private land. DEC navigation or fishing rights do not automatically authorize private-bank crossings or a bathing area. Do not use old ropes, jump or dive.
Water type
Three Historical Creek Approaches With Unresolved Present Bathing Access
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
No current swim admission or free-public-entry status established. Private business parking and fishing access are not general bathing admission.
Best season
No operating season or supervised bathing schedule is established at these historical entries. Avoid high or rising water and retain a land-based fallback when permission or conditions remain unresolved
Nearby towns
Albany, Durham
Water body
Catskill Creek And Cornwallville Creek
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Albany, Durham
Access location not verified
DURHAM, NY
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Durham and Leeds Catskill Creek
The archive describes three distinct approaches: a Leeds inn-side path, Cornwallville Creek near Routes 145 and 67A, and Catskill Creek near County Route 67. Current lawful bathing access has not been established for any of these precise banks. Their old ropes, shoulders and bridge routes are not maintained public entrances.
Keep the three old approaches distinct
Leeds refers to a private inn-side Catskill Creek path. Cornwallville Creek refers to the Route 145/67A bridge area. The third report refers to Catskill Creek along County Route 67. None is converted here into a signed public beach, and no new entrance coordinates are invented.
Roadside space and ropes are not public access
The old account describes small shoulders, a posted no-parking side and ropes or steep-bank routes. Those observations do not verify present parking legality, owner consent, structural maintenance or water depth. Ask the actual landowner or manager about the specific proposed entry rather than following the old turn-by-turn descent.
Fishing and navigation rights have limits
DEC explains that public navigation does not generally authorize crossing private property to enter or leave a waterway or using private land for other recreation. A fishing map is not a bathing permit. No current source establishes staffing, sanitary clearance or facilities at the three archived banks; choose a different confirmed managed destination if these essentials cannot be resolved.
Check current destination information
Getting There
Confirm the exact owner-approved entrance and lawful parking before travelling to any of the three historical stops. Do not use a private inn lot, posted shoulder, under-bridge route or old rope without current authorization.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Confirm the exact owner-approved entrance and lawful parking before travelling to any of the three historical stops. Do not use a private inn lot, posted shoulder, under-bridge route or old rope without current authorization.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Obtain lawful entry and respect posted private land. DEC navigation or fishing rights do not automatically authorize private-bank crossings or a bathing area. Do not use old ropes, jump or dive. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Hiking area
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Nature preserve
4.7 (661)
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Sundown Wild Forest
National forest
4.7 (302)
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Hiking, camping & fishing are popular activities at this large forested area with mountains & falls.
Country Campsites at Michael Dee’s Motel
Campground
4.4 (78)
1931 NY-145, East Durham, NY 12423
Free Wi-Fi
Doherty's Mountain View Campground
Campground
4.8 (36)
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Blackthorne Resort
Campground
4.4 (1022)
348 Sunside Rd, East Durham, NY 12423
Vibrant resort offering simple quarters & an amusement park, plus live music & an outdoor pool.
Free Wi-Fi
Public Restroom (Public Toilets)
Public bathroom
5 (1)
11e W Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152
Frequently Asked Questions About Durham Catskills Swimming Holes
Which locations are in the Durham archive?
It describes a Leeds inn-side path, Cornwallville Creek near Routes 145 and 67A, and a Catskill Creek approach near County Route 67. Their current bathing entrances remain unresolved.
Can we park at the old inn and walk behind it?
Do not assume so. The historical private-business route requires current owner authorization and lawful parking.
Are bridge shoulders legal swimming parking?
The old account does not establish present parking legality. Follow current signs and obtain an authorized place to park rather than stopping on an unsuitable shoulder.
Can we use the ropes described in the old report?
No maintained or authorized rope route is established. Do not rely on old ropes, jump or dive from the bank.
Do public fishing rights allow a bathing picnic?
Not automatically. Fishing or navigation access has a specific legal scope and does not establish general private-bank recreation or a designated swimming area.
Are toilets or lifeguards confirmed at these stops?
No. Neither current bathing services nor sanitary clearance is established at the exact archived entries. Do not transfer facilities from an inn or unrelated recreation area.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
No operating season or supervised bathing schedule is established at these historical entries. Avoid high or rising water and retain a land-based fallback when permission or conditions remain unresolved.
Difficulty Level
Use the named lawful route and assess your party's abilities. No surveyed accessible bathing entrance or guaranteed easy descent established.
Fee
No current swim admission or free-public-entry status established. Private business parking and fishing access are not general bathing admission.
Facilities
No current toilets, changing rooms, lifeguards or potable water confirmed at these exact entries. Do not assign a private inn's services to the creek.
Activities
Named hiking, viewpoints or regional recreation where lawful; exact historical bathing permission unresolved.
Phone
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No camping permission established at the historical creek banks or private premises.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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