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Three Historical Approaches With Site-Specific RestrictionsNY

Red Hook Hudson Valley Swimming Spots

By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated

Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.

Check Tivoli Bays' swimming restriction and Livingston's North Twin Lake prohibition before using the old Red Hook waterfall, dock or bridge approaches.

Water type
Three Historical Approaches With Site-Specific Restrictions
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Tivoli land recreation is listed as free. North Twin Lake access uses town pass restrictions, not a general free swimming admission. No bathing rate or public-entry right established at Jansen Kill.
Best season
Tivoli's year-round recreation does not allow WMA swimming. Livingston's posted lake notice is not dated to a specific season
Nearby towns
Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Elizaville, Clermont, Tivoli
Water body
Stony Creek/Tivoli Bays, North Twin Lake And Jansen Kill

Location

Map & Directions

NY
Nearby towns
Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Elizaville, Clermont, Tivoli
Access location not verified
TIVOLI, 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.

Red Hook Regional Waters

The three historical stops have different owners and rules. Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area waters are subject to DEC's swimming prohibition, and Livingston currently says swimming remains prohibited at its North Twin Lake access. Current lawful bathing at the old Jansen Kill bridge was not established. None should be advertised as an unrestricted family swim.

Stony Creek access is not a Tivoli swimming permit

DEC directs visitors to Kidd Lane trails and a canoe launch. Its linked Part 51 rules, effective January 1, 2022, prohibit swimming in applicable WMA waters. Respect mapped boundaries: northern conservation-easement trails also do not authorize off-trail access. Do not extend this land-management rule to unrelated water parcels without checking jurisdiction.

North Twin Lake passes do not reopen swimming

Livingston's live notice says swimming remains prohibited and describes limited pass access for launching a boat, paddleboarding or using the grounds. The notice itself is undated, so its annual pass language should be confirmed with the clerk. It does not announce a reopened beach or validate the old floating dock.

Jansen Kill needs a lawful approach, not a bridge shortcut

The Buckwheat Road bridge report is historical. No current bathing entrance, parking permission or staffed facility was established there. Keep road-project information separate from swimming authorization, and do not enter private banks or improvise under-bridge access.

Plan with the named source

Getting There

Use DEC's signed Tivoli Bays trails for lawful land recreation, Livingston's current pass instructions for its lake grounds, and current owner/road guidance for any proposed Jansen Kill visit. Do not navigate by the old floating dock or unsurveyed bridge-bank descent.

Access Notes

Use DEC's signed Tivoli Bays trails for lawful land recreation, Livingston's current pass instructions for its lake grounds, and current owner/road guidance for any proposed Jansen Kill visit. Do not navigate by the old floating dock or unsurveyed bridge-bank descent.

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

No swimming in applicable Tivoli WMA waters under Part 51. Do not swim at Livingston's prohibited North Twin Lake access. Jansen Kill bathing remains unverified; do not infer private-bank permission from the bridge. 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

Red Hook Village Parking

Parking lot

5 (2)

Prince St, Red Hook, NY 12571

Poets' Walk Park

Park

4.7 (612)

776 River Rd, Red Hook, NY 12571

Poets' Walk is located in Red Hook, New York, United States on the River Road. It is intended to celebrate the connection between landscape and poetry. The classic wooden vistas, sunlit fields and thick forest were the main focus of landscape architect Hans Jacob Ehlers' vision for the property in 1849.

Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds Inc

Campground

4.3 (335)

149 Blue Mountain Rd, Saugerties, NY 12477

Interlake RV Resort

Campground

4.4 (294)

428 Lake Dr, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Free Wi-Fi

Brook n Wood Family Campground

Campground

4 (140)

1947 Co Rte 8, Elizaville, NY 12523

Public Restroom

Public bathroom

3.7 (3)

557 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Catskills Visitor Center

Visitor center

4.6 (239)

5096 NY-28, Mt Tremper, NY 12457

Gender-neutral restroomRestroom

Ranger Station

Forestry office

5 (1)

Hartshorne Dr, Sandy Hook, NJ 07732

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Hook Hudson Valley Swimming Spots

Can we swim at Tivoli Bays just because trails are open?

No. DEC's linked Part 51 rules prohibit swimming in applicable WMA waters. Year-round trail and canoe access is not swimming permission.

Has North Twin Lake reopened for swimming?

Livingston's current homepage says swimming remains prohibited. Its pass notice allows specified grounds or launching uses, not a reopened swimming beach.

Does a lake pass permit access from any bank?

No. Follow the town's actual access terms and lawful boundaries. A pass does not authorize private-bank crossings or override the swimming restriction.

Is the Jansen Kill bridge a verified public swim entrance?

No current lawful bathing entrance or parking arrangement was established at the historical Buckwheat Road bridge.

Where can we walk at Tivoli without entering the water?

Use DEC's signed trails and current map. Some northern conservation-easement access is trail-only, and railroad tracks and bridges are off limits.

Are lifeguards and changing rooms confirmed at these stops?

No operating bathing services are established for the three archived approaches. Canoe infrastructure and old dock descriptions must not be relabeled as a managed beach.

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
Tivoli's year-round recreation does not allow WMA swimming. Livingston's posted lake notice is not dated to a specific season; confirm current pass and access details, but do not assume the swimming prohibition has ended.
Difficulty Level
Use current named entrance and route information. No general family-safe depth, easy creek descent or surveyed accessible water entry is asserted.
Fee
Tivoli land recreation is listed as free. North Twin Lake access uses town pass restrictions, not a general free swimming admission. No bathing rate or public-entry right established at Jansen Kill.
Facilities
Tivoli has trails and canoe-launch facilities, not a swimming beach. The old Twin Lake dock and grass beach are not confirmed current bathing amenities. No changing room or guard service established at Jansen Kill.
Activities
Land-based or separately named managed recreation as described; exact historical bathing access unresolved or restricted.
Phone
845-889-4745 (Tivoli Bays); 518-851-9441 ext. 310 (Livingston)

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 these three bathing approaches. Follow current manager restrictions rather than treating creek banks as campsites.

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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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