Red House Beach at Allegany State Park

Salamanca, New York · on Red House Lake · Allegany State Park

Verified · 4 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $7
SEASON: Best in summer

About Red House Beach at Allegany State Park

Red House Beach is the official swimming beach on Red House Lake, an artificial lake created by damming Red House Creek in 1924 as part of the original development of Allegany State Park in western New York. It is a managed, lifeguarded, sandy swimming hole with a full slate of park amenities rather than a backcountry swim spot.

The beach sits on Red House Lake in the Red House Area of Allegany State Park, near the park's historic Tudor-style Administration Building, which today houses a museum, restaurant, and rental offices. The lake was formed by the Red House Dam, built with the park's first State Park Bond Issue funds in 1924, and the surrounding area was further developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1942 with roads, trails, and picnic areas.

Swimming at Red House Beach at Allegany State Park

Swimming takes place in a designated, lifeguard-staffed sandy swim area on the lake during the official 2026 season (June 20-September 7, daily 11:00 AM-6:30 PM). The area includes a monitored diving platform with water reported at about 12 feet deep near it. Coast-Guard-unapproved flotation devices (air mattresses, tubes, water wings) are prohibited. This is a family/general-public swim beach rather than a wild or hike-in hole.

The hike in

Time on foot: Walk from parking to sand is short (on the order of a couple minutes); no formal hike-in distance applies.

No hike is required to reach the swim beach -- it is a drive-up/parking-lot beach with restrooms right next to the lot. Separately, the park's Red House area has hiking trails not tied to beach access, including the Patterson Trail (about 3.5 miles) and Beehunter Trail (about 6.5 miles), per Wikipedia's park overview, but neither is described as leading to or being required for the swim beach itself.

A paved bike path also circles Red House Lake, which some visitors use to explore the shoreline beyond the beach itself, but this is optional, not required for swimming access.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Sandy, lifeguard-staffed beach designed as a family swim area with a playground and snack bar adjacent; shallow sand entry at the swim beach with lifeguards on duty during the posted 2026 season (June 20-Sept 7). A monitored diving platform (~12 ft deep) exists in a separate roped-off deeper section for stronger swimmers.

Parking

Paid, $7 vehicle day-use entrance fee (2026); an Empire Pass, $80/year, covers unlimited day-use entry to this and other NY state parks instead of paying per-visit

No dedicated separate parking fee was found beyond the park's standard vehicle entrance fee; the parking lot sits adjacent to the beach with restrooms nearby, per official/Wikipedia sources. Exact lot capacity or step-by-step driving directions were not found in sources checked.

Restrooms

Yes

Restrooms/bathrooms located near the parking area at the Red House swim beach (per Wikipedia's park description); a snack bar is also on-site.

Hours

2026 swim season June 20-September 7; official NY Parks page lists lifeguarded swim hours as daily 11:00 AM-6:30 PM (Wikipedia's park article states 11am-7pm while lifeguards are present, a minor discrepancy between sources -- treat the official parks.ny.gov hours as authoritative).

On the water

Restrictions: Within the designated lifeguarded swim area, only Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are permitted (air mattresses, inner tubes, and inflatable water wings are banned) -- this is a swim-safety rule, not a general boating rule for the lake.

The official park page confirms boat rentals and a boat launch exist at the Red House area of the lake, but none of the sources checked specified which craft types (kayak/canoe/rowboat/motorboat) are offered or whether motors are restricted (e.g., electric-only, no-wake). Left the allowed list empty rather than assume a typical small-lake ruleset.

Rentals nearby

Allegany State Park boat and bike rentals (Red House Area, park-operated)

On-site boat rentals and bike rentals at the Red House Beach area, per the official NY State Parks page; specific watercraft types and bike models were not itemized in the source.

On-site at Red House Beach, Allegany State Park, Salamanca, NY

Backstory

Allegany State Park was established in 1921 after New York State purchased land including a 7,020-acre tract from the heirs of Amasa Stone; the park was dedicated July 30, 1921. Red House Lake itself was created in 1924 when the Red House Dam was built using the first State Park Bond Issue, alongside the Redhouse Administration Building. The Civilian Conservation Corps expanded the park's infrastructure (roads, bridges, campgrounds, trails, picnic areas, a ski area) between 1933 and 1942. The park now covers about 64,800 acres and has two swimming beaches, Red House and Quaker Lake.

Red House Beach at Allegany State Park: FAQ

Does Red House Beach at Allegany State Park charge a fee?

Vehicle day-use entrance fee of $7 during the collection period; an Empire Pass ($80) provides unlimited day-use entry to NY state parks including this one.

Is Red House Beach at Allegany State Park kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Red House Beach at Allegany State Park?

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

Where do I park for Red House Beach at Allegany State Park?

When is the best time to visit Red House Beach at Allegany State Park?

Summer, within the official swim season of June 20 through September 7 (2026 dates); busiest period cited as late June through early September.

What are the rules at Red House Beach at Allegany State Park?

Swimming permitted only during posted lifeguard hours within the designated swim season; Coast Guard-unapproved flotation devices are banned; beach may close during thunderstorms or other dangerous weather; visitors are warned not to feed or harass wildlife (including bears), which can result in fines or eviction from the park.

What water body is Red House Beach at Allegany State Park on?

Red House Beach at Allegany State Park is on Red House Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.