You’ll Want To Spend All Day At Zoar Valley’s Swimming Holes In New York

Editor's Note: Some of the areas depicted in the photos of Zoar Valley are now private property and can no longer be accessed by the public.

Summers in New York can be brutal. If the heat and humidity have got you down, grab the sunscreen and a bathing suit, because we've got the cure to your summertime sadness! The Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area is a 3,000-acre conservation area managed by the state. It makes for a fantastic day outing, and best of all, there's a few swimming holes to cool off in! These are some of the best swimming holes in New York. If you're looking for awesome New York swimming holes, look no further than Zoar Valley.

Zoar Valley is named after the Biblical city of Zoar, a beautiful oasis home to many trees. The modern day Zoar Valley is gorgeous as well, and home to more than 400 acres of old-growth forests.

Within the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, there are several spots where you can jump in the water and cool off. It's also got great spots for fishing, hiking, and white water rafting.

It's also just a beautiful area to get out and enjoy nature. Flora and fauna abound.

In some spots, the cliffs are almost completely vertical and top out at over 400 feet! This is one of the deepest valleys in the northeastern United States.

There are several creek-fed swimming holes that are a blast. The flow rate of the Cattaraugus Creek varies throughout the year, but it tends to be fairly low in the summer.

The Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area is home to several cascades and waterfalls. It's one of the best places to find waterfalls in New York. One highly accessible Zoar Valley waterfall is Schoolmarm Falls.

This is such a gorgeous spot to get out and enjoy all the beauty that New York has to offer. Whether you're looking to swim, picnic, hike, or just chill in nature, Zoar Valley is a great place to do it.

Have you visited this scenic area? Check out even more beautiful places in New York to visit.

For more information about the area and swimming holes, check out the Department of Environmental Conservation website. Remember to be aware of local weather conditions and careful where you step: wet rocks can be quite slippery!