Old Forge Public Beach
Old Forge, New York · on Fulton Chain Lakes
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Old Forge Public Beach
Old Forge Public Beach is a small municipal swimming hole on First Lake of the Fulton Chain of Lakes, located on Lakeview Avenue in the center of Old Forge, New York, directly behind the Town of Webb Visitor Information Center. A designated, lifeguard-supervised swimming area open free of charge during the summer season, it is one of the most convenient places to swim in the Fulton Chain.
The beach sits on First Lake within the Fulton Chain of Lakes in the Adirondack Mountains, with a sandy shoreline and mountain views, right in the center of the village of Old Forge next to Lakefront Park and the public tennis courts.
Swimming at Old Forge Public Beach
Swimming is in a lake, in a roped/managed area with a shallow section for young children and a deeper section near a swim raft and diving board, separated for different swimming abilities. Sources describe the water as clear and cool, making it a family-friendly in-town swim spot rather than a backcountry destination.
How to get to this swimming hole
The beach is on Lakeview Avenue in Old Forge, NY, directly behind the Town of Webb Visitor Information Center and adjacent to Lakefront Park and the public tennis courts, within walking distance of Old Forge's Main Street.
Parking: Free parking is available at the beach entrance on Lakeview Avenue near the public tennis courts.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike needed - this is a drive-up municipal beach in the center of Old Forge village, directly behind the Town of Webb Visitor Information Center, with a free parking lot immediately adjacent to the sand (walk time under 1-2 minutes from car to water).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Lifeguard-supervised municipal beach with a shallow section for young kids separated from a deeper section by a raft/diving board; adjoins a pirate-ship-themed playground, so families can combine swimming and playground time. No cliffs or current (small-lake swim area).
Parking
Free
Free parking at the beach entrance on Lakeview Avenue near the public tennis courts / Lakefront Park, confirmed by oldforgeny.com and corroborated by Wanderlog and inclusiverec.org.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site public restrooms at the beach, confirmed by multiple sources (Wanderlog, karta.com aggregator, inclusiverec.org); exact building location not specified beyond 'on-site'.
Water clarity
Clear
Multiple sources describe the water as clear and cool. Visitor reports (via Wanderlog-aggregated reviews) specifically praise clarity, with one reviewer saying it 'looks very clean in comparison to Lake Champlain.' No reports of murkiness or algae found.
Hours
Open daily in-season (late June through Labor Day) with lifeguards on duty; sources disagree on exact daily hours - Town of Webb tourism site (oldforgeny.com) states 11am-5pm, while Wanderlog and inclusiverec.org both independently state 9am-6pm. Confirm locally before a visit timed near closing.
On the water
No source specifically documents watercraft rules for the roped swim area at this beach itself (it is described as a designated, lifeguard-managed swim zone divided by a raft/diving board, which typically excludes launching boats within the swim area). The broader First Lake / Fulton Chain of Lakes is navigable by kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and motorboat via other public and private launches nearby, and multiple outfitters rent watercraft in Old Forge (see rentals), but none of the sources found confirm you can launch a personal kayak/canoe directly from the public beach itself, so this is left null/empty rather than guessed.
Rentals nearby
Kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and boats, plus biking equipment; offers a shuttle service for boat rentals on the Fulton Chain
2839 NY-28, Old Forge, NY 13420 (phone 315-226-4197); in the village of Old Forge, roughly 1 mile from the public beach
Pontoon boats, power boats, jet skis, fishing boats, tubes, and wakeboards; rents across multiple Fulton Chain / Old Forge-area lakes
Main location: 1500 Big Moose Road, Eagle Bay, NY 13331 (phone 315-357-3532); the site lists the Fulton Chain as one of its rental/delivery locations though no separate street address is given for it
What regulars say
Visitor reports (via aggregated reviews on Wanderlog) describe the water as notably clean/clear, one comparing it favorably to Lake Champlain. Reviewers note the beach gets crowded on summer holidays (Memorial Day, Labor Day weekend) and recommend arriving early on sunny days. Families highlight the adjoining pirate-ship playground as a hit with kids. The most common visitor complaint is the relatively early closing time (as early as 5-6pm), with at least one reviewer wishing they'd arrived earlier in the day to get more beach time.
Old Forge Public Beach: FAQ
Does Old Forge Public Beach charge a fee?
No admission fee.
Is Old Forge Public Beach kid friendly?
Lifeguard-supervised municipal beach with a shallow section for young kids separated from a deeper section by a raft/diving board; adjoins a pirate-ship-themed playground, so families can combine swimming and playground time. No cliffs or current (small-lake swim area).
Do I need to hike to reach Old Forge Public Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Old Forge Public Beach?
Free parking at the beach entrance on Lakeview Avenue near the public tennis courts / Lakefront Park, confirmed by oldforgeny.com and corroborated by Wanderlog and inclusiverec.org.
When is the best time to visit Old Forge Public Beach?
Summer, from late June through Labor Day, when lifeguards are on duty.
What are the rules at Old Forge Public Beach?
Lifeguards are on duty during the posted summer season (approximately June 22 through Labor Day); sources give slightly different daily hours (one official source states 11am-5pm, an aggregator directory lists 9am-6pm), so exact daily hours should be confirmed locally.
What water body is Old Forge Public Beach on?
Old Forge Public Beach is on Fulton Chain Lakes, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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