Long Lake Adirondack Swimming Spots

About Long Lake Adirondack Swimming Spots

Tucked deep within the vast wilderness of New York's Adirondack Park, this unofficial swimming destination along the Raquette River rewards those willing to earn it. A four-mile hike through cathedral-like forest delivers you to a sandy beach near a historic canoe put-in and ranger cabin — a place that feels genuinely removed from the modern world. The river here runs with the kind of clarity that makes you want to count the pebbles on the bottom before you've even taken your shoes off.

The Setting and Landscape

The trail to Canoe Landing winds through classic Adirondack forest, where white pines rise above tangles of fern and the air carries the clean, resinous scent of the north woods. Footbridges carry you over trickling tributaries, and the terrain shifts underfoot — packed earth giving way to exposed roots and mossy stone. When the trees finally part and the Raquette River comes into view, the payoff is immediate: a quiet, sandy beach framed by forested banks, where the only sounds are the current moving over rocks and, if you're lucky, the trembling call of a loon drifting across the water. Herons stalk the shallows with prehistoric patience. The entire stretch carries a deep sense of place — this river corridor has long been part of Abenaki culture and travel routes, and later became part of the legacy of Adirondack environmentalist Clarence Petty.

Swimming the Raquette River

The water at this sandy beach stretch of the Raquette River is notably clear, with a cool freshness even on the warmest summer afternoons. River swimming here is best approached with awareness — currents can vary depending on season and recent rainfall, and there are no lifeguards or safety staff on site. The sandy bottom near the beach provides comfortable wading and entry, making it approachable for confident swimmers and families with older children who are strong in the water. June through August offers the warmest conditions, when the water temperature climbs enough to invite long, lazy floats. Come September and October, the swimming grows bracingly cold, but the surrounding forest erupts in amber, crimson, and gold — making a quick dip feel like a ritual rather than a recreation.

Plan Your Visit

This is an unofficial swimming area, so come fully self-sufficient. There are no confirmed facilities on site, and you should pack everything you need — water, food, first aid, and sun protection. Sturdy footwear is essential for the four-mile trail, which is well-marked but includes uneven terrain and footbridges that can be slick in wet conditions. The hike requires a moderate level of fitness; plan for a half-day minimum to allow time on the beach. Entry is free. The nearest towns for supplies, food, and lodging are Long Lake, Saranac Lake, and Coreys — each offering a different flavor of Adirondack character, from Long Lake's small-town charm on the waterfront to Saranac Lake's lively village center. Whether you're based in a local inn or camping in the surrounding backcountry, this stretch of the Raquette River is the kind of place that stays with you long after you've dried off and driven home.