Long Lake Town Beach
Long Lake, New York · on Park Lake
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Long Lake Town Beach
Long Lake Town Beach is a town-owned, lifeguard-staffed public swimming hole on Long Lake, a roughly 14-mile widening of the Raquette River in the central Adirondacks of Hamilton County, New York. It sits in the hamlet of Long Lake at 1258 Main Street and is run by the town's Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department. For anyone hunting places to swim in the central Adirondacks, this one is free, with swimming supervised only during posted lifeguard hours.
The beach sits on the shore of Long Lake, a glacially formed widening of the 140-mile Raquette River that stretches about fourteen miles through the central Adirondacks, with views across the water toward the Seward Mountain Range. The surrounding hamlet is described by the town as unspoiled forest and mountain scenery typical of the central Adirondack Park.
Swimming at Long Lake Town Beach
The designated swim area is about 28 yards long with depths ranging from a 1-foot shallow zone to a 15-foot deep area at the swim dock, which has a mini-trampoline, slide, and rope swings. Access to the dock and deep water requires passing a 50-yard swim test using an approved stroke (doggy paddle does not qualify); the shallow area is reserved for weaker swimmers and children, where only USCG Type III flotation devices are permitted.
How to get to this swimming hole
The beach is located at 1258 Main Street in the hamlet of Long Lake, NY, directly on the shore of Long Lake.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up town beach at 1258 Main Street with direct lakefront access; no hike is required to reach the swimming area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Official town beach with a graduated shallow zone (1 ft) reserved for weaker swimmers/children where only USCG Type III flotation devices are allowed, plus Red Cross-certified lifeguards on duty every day the beach is open (10am-6pm, Fri/July 4th to 8pm). Deep water (up to 15 ft) at the swim dock is gated behind a 50-yard swim test, keeping non-swimmers naturally out of the deep area.
Hours
Beach open 7 days/week, 10am-6pm, extended to 8pm on Fridays and July 4th; hours subject to change without notice (per mylonglake.com/beach).
On the water
The town's official boating page states powerboats share the lake with canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboats, and float planes; water-skiing and tubing are permitted lakewide. Boaters are cautioned to go slow through the narrow village/bridge section due to traffic and hazards. By 2025 all NY State boaters must carry a boating safety certificate. No watercraft restrictions specific to the swim-beach area itself (e.g., no-wake buoys right off the beach) were found. Public boat launches near the beach: Long Lake State Boat Launch (Olivet/Dock Rd, hard-surface, parking for 60), Town Dock (9 spaces, 6-hr limit), plus Lake Eaton and Forked Lake launches a few miles out of the village.
Rentals nearby
Motorboats (flat-bottom skiffs, runabouts, inboard/outboard), pontoon boats, and 17' aluminum canoes; waterski and tubing packages
Prices: Flat-bottom skiff 14'/10HP $90/day ($540/wk); 14'/20HP $100/day ($600/wk); runabout 30-40HP $115/day, 70-80HP $210/day, 90-115HP $240/day; inboard/outboard 200HP $340/day; pontoon $250/day ($1,500/wk); canoe $40/day ($240/wk); waterski/tubing packages $35/day. Gas/oil extra; state/county tax not included.
3 Dock Rd, Long Lake, NY 12847 (same Dock Rd area as the state boat launch, roughly 1 mile from the Main Street town beach) · Boathouse open daily 8am-5pm; office Mon-Fri (spring 9am-4pm, summer 9am-5pm, fall 10am-4pm)
Canoes and one/two-person kayaks, complimentary for lodging guests only; also brokers specialty gear rentals through partner outfitters Reboot Reset and Raquette River Outfitters
Prices: Complimentary for hotel guests; no public daily rate published
51 Dock Road, Long Lake, NY 12847
Canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals
Locations in Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, NY (nearest shop roughly 18 miles from Long Lake village, not on Long Lake itself)
Backstory
The town of Long Lake was settled beginning around 1833 and formally organized in 1837. In the 19th century Long Lake was part of a guideboat travel route connecting Adirondack waterways toward the St. Lawrence drainage; the historic Adirondack Hotel remains a landmark in the hamlet.
Long Lake Town Beach: FAQ
Does Long Lake Town Beach charge a fee?
Swimming and swim lessons are free, per the town's official beach page.
Is Long Lake Town Beach kid friendly?
Official town beach with a graduated shallow zone (1 ft) reserved for weaker swimmers/children where only USCG Type III flotation devices are allowed, plus Red Cross-certified lifeguards on duty every day the beach is open (10am-6pm, Fri/July 4th to 8pm). Deep water (up to 15 ft) at the swim dock is gated behind a 50-yard swim test, keeping non-swimmers naturally out of the deep area.
Do I need to hike to reach Long Lake Town Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Long Lake Town Beach?
No parking details for the Town Beach specifically were found on the town's official pages. The nearby Long Lake State Boat Launch (Olivet/Dock Rd) has parking for 60 vehicles plus a restroom, and the Town Dock has 9 parking spots for docking/unloading, but it is unconfirmed whether either serves the beach lot.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Long Lake Town Beach?
The town's official boating page states powerboats share the lake with canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboats, and float planes; water-skiing and tubing are permitted lakewide. Boaters are cautioned to go slow through the narrow village/bridge section due to traffic and hazards. By 2025 all NY State boaters must carry a boating safety certificate. No watercraft restrictions specific to the swim-beach area itself (e.g., no-wake buoys right off the beach) were found. Public boat launches near the beach: Long Lake State Boat Launch (Olivet/Dock Rd, hard-surface, parking for 60), Town Dock (9 spaces, 6-hr limit), plus Lake Eaton and Forked Lake launches a few miles out of the village.
When is the best time to visit Long Lake Town Beach?
Summer, when Red Cross-certified lifeguards are on duty; the town's free swim-lesson program runs July 3 through August 12.
What are the rules at Long Lake Town Beach?
Swimming is strictly prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty. Beach hours are 10am-6pm daily, extended to 8pm on Fridays and July 4th. Swimmers must pass a 50-yard swim test (approved strokes only) to use the main dock/deep water. Flotation devices are limited to USCG Type III in the shallow area only; devices are not allowed beyond the kiddie area except under ADA accommodation.
What water body is Long Lake Town Beach on?
Long Lake Town Beach is on Park Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
