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Outdoors

Swimming holes and lakes near Rochester

Lakes, rivers and beaches near Rochester where swimming is allowed on public land.

7places to swim
61 mito the closest
June–Augustbest months

Good to know: Most natural swimming areas have no lifeguard; check water-quality advisories and current conditions before swimming.

Closest picks

2

Potomac Group Campground

62 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service

Potomac Group Campground and Day Use Area provides a primitive camping experience for groups of 8-40 people. It is an excellent site for family events and youth group activities.

3

Ives Run

90 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Ives Run Campground sits on the eastern shore of Hammond Lake in north-central Pennsylvania.

Map of all 7 places

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30 to 75 miles (2)

61 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service

Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

  • Biking
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Winter sports

62 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Potomac Group Campground

Potomac Group Campground and Day Use Area provides a primitive camping experience for groups of 8-40 people. It is an excellent site for family events and youth group activities.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Winter sports

75 miles and farther (5)

90 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Ives Run

Ives Run Campground sits on the eastern shore of Hammond Lake in north-central Pennsylvania.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Disc Golf
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming

104 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Willow Bay

Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Ranger programs
  • Swimming
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

115 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Dewdrop

Dewdrop Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a popular getaway for boaters and families. Recreation Water activities abound, including lake fishing, boating, and water skiing.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Mountain Biking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

115 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Kiasutha

Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities. Recreation Visitors enjoy the large, grassy beach for swimming and relaxing.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

122 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Twin Lakes (Pa)

Rec.gov campsite availability grid is not reflective of availability. For more information on reservations, please visit http://fotlanf.org/ Twin Lakes Campground is located near a small, spring-fed, trout-stocked lake, popular with…

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Rochester. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

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Around Rochester

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SenecaChief2025BicentennialVoyageRochesterMeetingTheGeneseeRiverBDanielPenfield · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hiram Sibley Building, Rochester, New York
Hiram Sibley Building, Rochester, New YorkKenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0
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More outdoors near Rochester

Questions

Where is the closest place for swimming near Rochester?

Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests (USDA Forest Service), about 61 miles southeast of Rochester as the crow flies. Next are Potomac Group Campground (62 mi) and Ives Run (90 mi).

When is the best time for swimming near Rochester?

Based on Rochester’s average highs, June–August. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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