Escape the city heat for a day trip to the Catskills to visit cute towns and a secret swimming hole.
Whenever it’s hot, I want to dive into the nearest body of water, but it’s always hard to find a place for a refreshing dip, especially in driving distance from New York City. It doesn’t help that nature lovers keep swimming hole spots close to their chests so their beloved watering holes don’t become overrun by tourists who don’t respect the rules of the outdoors. I get it, though.
Split Rock Hole in the Mohonk Preserve is the perfect place to cool off from the summer heat. The swimming hole is managed by the preserve and has limited parking, limiting the number of people who can go at once. It’s only a two-hour drive from New York City, making for a great day trip destination.
This day trip guide will take you upstate for the day to the small town of New Paltz. After exploring New Paltz, you’ll stop at a farm stand on the way to the swimming hole for fresh fruit and snacks before relaxing at Split Rock. Then, you’ll end the day in Beacon for shopping and a late lunch on Main St.
The drive to New Paltz
It’s about a two-hour drive to New Paltz from New York City. You can go up I-87 through New Jersey and New York or take the scenic Taconic State Parkway. Whenever I go on a day trip upstate, I like to take I-87 up in the morning and then take the Taconic down on the way home. Traffic builds up on I-87 going south to the city, so the Taconic ends up being faster.
You should leave in the morning before traffic picks up, especially if you’re renting a car. There are limited parking spaces in the parking lot right next to Split Rock Hole, so you’ll want to arrive before the lot gets full.
Exploring New Paltz
New Paltz is a small town in the southern Catskills. It’s a great place to stop before the swimming hole and stretch your legs. It has all the little shops you’d expect in a small town: bookshops, vintage stores, and a chocolate shop for a sweet treat.
If you’re already ready for lunch when you arrive in New Paltz, get a bite to eat at Moonburger, a popular plant-based fast food restaurant that just opened its first NYC location in Williamsburg. It’s right on Main Street with other city luxuries like Starbucks.
Pit stop: Wallkill View Farm Market
Stop at Wallkill View Farm Market before you reach the Mohonk Preserve for fresh fruit and snacks. This cute little farm stand is on your left on your way to the swimming hole.
They have fresh fruits and vegetables homegrown on their farm, as well as, a bakery and deli with apple cider donuts and sandwiches. We grabbed a box of strawberries to enjoy at the swimming hole and hit the road.
Swim at Split Rock Hole
Split Rock Hole is a beautiful swimming hole that gets its name from the two rocks that look like they’ve split into two to create a gorgeous mini waterfall. The water is very clear and it’s shallow enough to hang out in yet deep enough to go for a swim. But, don’t get too excited and dive straight in. It’s not deep enough to safely jump or dive into. Like most mountain swimming holes, Split Rock’s water is cold but it’s refreshing on a hot summer day.
Split Rock is also called Coxing Kill which is the name of the little stream that feeds it. “Kill” in Dutch literally means little stream. Many places in the Catskills still use Dutch names like the mountain range itself: Cats-Kill.
To reach Split Rock, park in the Coxing Kill parking lot on the Mohonk Preserve. Refer to this pin for the exact location of the parking lot or type in “Coxing Trailhead” in maps. There is limited cell service in the area so download the map ahead of time just in case.
It costs $15 per person to enter the preserve. You’ll be given a wristband at the parking lot to grant you access to all areas of the preserve. After you park in the Coxing Kill lot, cross the street and follow the trail to reach the swimming hole.
If the parking lot is full, you can park in another lot and hike to Split Rock Hole along the easy Shongum Path. Here are the directions for the alternate trail.
Please note that you’re in nature, so there is wildlife. Depending on the time of year, there can be snakes in the area (you’ll see signs posted). Avoid any snakes you see on the rocks because those are poisonous. If you see a snake in the water it is likely not poisonous but it might still bite, so please leave it alone. The snakes are more scared of you than you’re scared of them.
Stroll down Main St. in Beacon
After a relaxing afternoon at the swimming hole, drive about 45 minutes to Beacon for lunch and shopping. The drive may seem long but it’s on the way back home to the city.
For a late lunch, grab sandwiches at Beacon Falls Cafe or grab a beer and a bite from the food truck at Hudson Valley Brewery. After lunch, walk down Main Street and pop in and out of the shops. Beacon is a much bigger town compared to New Paltz with better shopping.
Good to knows
What to bring
For the swimming hole, you’ll want to bring sunscreen, a bathing suit, a towel, snacks, and a water bottle.
We saw a group with beers, so although alcohol is typically not permitted in parks, there are no signs that say it’s prohibited. Glass is prohibited so make sure you bring canned drinks.
You can also bring dogs to the swimming hole as long as they stay on a leash.
Getting there
You need to rent a car to get to reach the Mohonk Preserve. You can rent a car for less than $100 from LaGuardia Airport or your local rental car company. I recommend renting from LaGuardia because local rental outposts only stay open until 5 p.m. The price per person of a full five-seater car will cost between $15-$20 each, which is cheaper than a train ride up the Metro North.
Reply