Old Swimmin Hole Lake

Clay Township, Indiana · on Old Swimmin Hole Lake · Bradford Woods

Verified · 4 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: No fee found
SEASON: Varies by conditions

About Old Swimmin Hole Lake

Old Swimmin' Hole Lake is a roughly 87-110 acre reservoir formed by an earthen dam (completed 1960) impounding Sycamore Creek, located on the grounds of Bradford Woods, a 2,500-acre outdoor education and camp facility owned by Indiana University near Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana. Despite the name, this is not a public swimming hole or an open lake to swim in for drop-in visitors: it sits inside a private, gated institutional property used for Camp Riley, IU therapeutic recreation programs, school groups, and retreats, not a public park.

The lake occupies a wooded 2,500-acre former farm/sand-mining property that the Bradford family donated to Indiana University in 1937. It is visible from several Bradford Woods buildings (Griffith Hall, the Interpretive Center, the Activity Center), which advertise lake views through large windows, and a camping area sits near the shoreline connected to a named beach by a trail.

Swimming at Old Swimmin Hole Lake

Bradford Woods's own facilities page describes a named 'Towaki Beach' on the lake, reached from the Platform Tent camping area via the Sunshine Trail, giving campers direct lake and beach access. Camp program listings (e.g., 'Explorers Camp') include swimming among activities such as canoeing, climbing, and archery, though the facility also has a separate swimming pool, so it is not certain how much camp swimming happens in the lake itself versus the pool.

The hike in

Sunshine Trail

Difficulty: easy (described by the facility as 'easy lake and beach access', not framed as a hiking trail)

Trailhead: Starts at the Platform Tent Area, Bradford Woods' camping area located between Krannert Village and Griffith Village on the property

Bradford Woods describes the Sunshine Trail as winding 'down to Towaki Beach' from the camping area, characterizing it as 'easy lake and beach access' rather than a hike; no published mileage was found. Separately, the facility offers staff-guided nature hikes through the woods (groups of ~20) as a bookable activity, unrelated to reaching the swim area itself.

Because Old Swimmin' Hole Lake sits within a private, gated IU-owned camp/retreat property, most visitors reach the shoreline/beach directly from lodging or program areas rather than via a standalone public trailhead; no independent trip reports describing the walk were found.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Bradford Woods' own programs page lists swimming (pool or 'Old Swimmin' Hole Lake') as lifeguard-supervised, with no minimum age stated, sessions capped at ~25 participants and max pool capacity 50; canoe instruction on the lake likewise lists no minimum age. However, this is staff-supervised program time rather than an open, drop-in swim area, and the facility exists partly to serve Camp Riley (a camp for children with disabilities), so activities are structured/supervised rather than casual.

Restrooms

Yes

Shower and bathroom facilities are provided at the Platform Tent camping area near the lake, per Bradford Woods' own Camping facilities page.

Swim smart

The impounding dam is classified 'High' hazard potential by dam-safety inspection (meaning failure could cause loss of life downstream), per National Inventory of Dams data reported by Snoflo; this concerns dam-failure risk rather than in-water swimming conditions specifically. No swimming-specific hazard information (currents, depth, water clarity) was found.

Rules: This is not a public swimming hole: Bradford Woods is Indiana University-owned property used for Camp Riley, therapeutic recreation, school programs, and private retreats. Lake/beach access (Towaki Beach) appears limited to registered campers and program participants rather than open to the general public; no public day-use swim access was found.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

CanoesMotorboats

Restrictions: Canoeing and pontoon-boat rides are staff-led, bookable program activities rather than bring-your-own-watercraft access: canoe instruction runs on the 110-acre lake (~25 participants/hour capacity) and pontoon boat tours are guided with staff narration and lifeguards, capped at 10-12 people per trip. Activities require advance booking (facility recommends about one month ahead), a signed participant agreement, and are billed by the hour. No mention of visitor-owned kayaks, paddleboards, or personal motorboats/jet skis being permitted.

This is an institutional program lake (Indiana University's Bradford Woods outdoor/therapeutic-recreation center), not a public boat-launch lake, so watercraft use is mediated through the facility's own staff and schedule rather than independent public access.

What regulars say

No independent kayak, canoe, or paddleboard rental businesses serve this lake. It sits on private, IU-owned Bradford Woods property, and any canoeing or pontoon boating happens only through the facility's own staff-led, bookable programs (see watercraft notes), not third-party rental shops. No first-hand visitor accounts describing crowds, water clarity, or on-the-ground conditions at this specific lake were located this session. The clearest visitor-facing detail found is the facility's own note that day guests staying on-site 'are welcome to enjoy, explore, and hike the property,' while structured recreation (swimming, canoeing, boating) is scheduled and billed separately.

Backstory

Joseph and Martha Bradford settled the property in 1855; the Bradford brothers later mined and sold sand from it in the 1880s. John Bradford, the last surviving brother, donated the land to Indiana University in 1937 to be used 'as a safe place for children.' The first camps began in 1955, and the dam forming the lake was completed in 1960.

Old Swimmin Hole Lake: FAQ

Is Old Swimmin Hole Lake kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Old Swimmin Hole Lake?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Old Swimmin Hole Lake?

No parking details (lot location, cost) were published on Bradford Woods' Facilities, Camping, About, or Contact pages.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Old Swimmin Hole Lake?

What are the rules at Old Swimmin Hole Lake?

This is not a public swimming hole: Bradford Woods is Indiana University-owned property used for Camp Riley, therapeutic recreation, school programs, and private retreats. Lake/beach access (Towaki Beach) appears limited to registered campers and program participants rather than open to the general public; no public day-use swim access was found.

What water body is Old Swimmin Hole Lake on?

Old Swimmin Hole Lake is on Old Swimmin Hole Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.