Skinner's Falls Main Beach
Cochecton, New York · on Delaware River
Verified · 3 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Skinner's Falls Main Beach
Skinner's Falls is a well-known public river access point on the Upper Delaware River (part of the NPS Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor) at River Mile ~295.5 in Sullivan County, NY, directly across from Milanville, PA. The site is owned and managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a hand-launch canoe/kayak access, but it is also a popular informal swimming hole, tubing spot, and rafting put-in, with natural pools forming among the rocks and rapids of this stretch of river to swim in as well as float.
The access sits in the rural Upper Delaware River valley, a federally designated Scenic and Recreational River corridor, at a historic rapids/riffle stretch of the Delaware across from Milanville, PA. A former through-truss toll bridge, the Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge, connected the two shores here until it was removed in spring 2025 due to deterioration; the nearest crossings are now the Narrowsburg Bridge to the south and the Damascus-Cochecton Bridge to the north. Private campgrounds (including a Landers River Trips property) sit adjacent to the access with a walking path down to the water.
Swimming at Skinner's Falls Main Beach
Swimming is informal rather than an officially designated 'swim beach', the site's formal designation is a hand-launch boat access, but visitors commonly swim in natural pools that form among the rocks near the rapids, sit on the rocks along the shore, and use the area as a put-in for tubing and rafting trips. One first-hand account reported comfortably swimmable ~68°F water in July with a noticeably strong current; the adjoining stretch has Class I-II rapids and riffles rather than a true vertical waterfall, suiting confident swimmers and families with supervision more than those seeking a calm, still pool.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: Large dirt/gravel and paved lot with approximately 50 vehicle spaces at the NY DEC access point.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No trail hike is needed. It's a short walk down an inclined dirt/gravel path from the NY DEC parking lot to the river's edge; one first-hand account also describes a walking path down from the adjacent Lander's campground directly to the falls area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Natural pools form among the rocks near the rapids and are used by families (one first-hand account describes a 3-year-old swimming there with no trouble), but the site is officially a boat hand-launch, not a designated swim beach: the current can be strong and is not always visible from the surface, there are submerged rocks and sudden depth drop-offs (12-18 ft holes reported in the corridor), and NY DEC requires life jackets for children 12 and under at all times. Close supervision and life jackets for kids are recommended rather than free-range wading.
Parking
Lot
Paved/gravel NY DEC lot with roughly 50 vehicle spaces at the Skinner's Falls access off Route 97 (Skinners Falls Road) in Milanville/Narrowsburg area. No source found stating a parking fee, but none is confirmed free either.
Restrooms
Yes
Seasonal portable/vault toilet at the NY DEC parking area, in service Memorial Day through Labor Day (per NPS and Delaware River Water Trail listings). Outside that season there is no restroom at the public access point. A private adjacent campground (Lander's) also has its own bathhouse with showers, but that is for paying campground guests, not day-use swimmers.
On the water
Restrictions: Cartop/hand-launch, non-motorized craft only (no motorboats or jet skis). Life jackets required for children 12 and under at all times, and for everyone when the river gauge exceeds 6 ft or during Nov 1-Apr 30; loaner life jackets are stocked on site. No glass containers, enforced by NY State Park Rangers.
The adjoining rapids/riffle stretch (Class I-II) makes this a popular commercial rafting and tubing put-in as well as a canoe/kayak launch.
Rentals nearby
Canoe, kayak, raft, and tube rentals/trips, including a dedicated 'Skinner's Falls only' tubing run; also operates an adjacent riverside campground with a path down to the falls
Prices: Canoe/kayak/raft: $60/adult, $30/child (ages 5-12) weekdays, $64/$32 weekends-holidays, per person per day (includes boat, paddle, life jacket, safety orientation, NPS fee). Tubing: $16/person Skinner's Falls only; $40/person Skinner's Falls to Narrowsburg.
Narrowsburg, NY, with a campground/office directly adjacent to the Skinner's Falls access (river frontage right behind the campground office)
What regulars say
Visitor reports: one first-hand account describes the river as 'really moving with current,' turning what's normally a shorter paddle into a roughly 3-hour trip, but still manageable bringing a 3-year-old, with an eagle-nesting viewing area open to the public midway along the river between area campgrounds. Another visitor who ran the tubing stretch calls it 'perfect for kids, grandparents and fur-babies' and notes no swimming ability is required for tubing (just the ability to paddle yourself to shore), but warns that NYS Park Rangers strictly enforce the no-glass-containers rule at picnic spots along the river (that visitor was personally cited).
Backstory
The Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge, a historic through-truss span linking New York and Pennsylvania at this crossing, was removed in spring 2025.
Skinner's Falls Main Beach: FAQ
Is Skinner's Falls Main Beach kid friendly?
Natural pools form among the rocks near the rapids and are used by families (one first-hand account describes a 3-year-old swimming there with no trouble), but the site is officially a boat hand-launch, not a designated swim beach: the current can be strong and is not always visible from the surface, there are submerged rocks and sudden depth drop-offs (12-18 ft holes reported in the corridor), and NY DEC requires life jackets for children 12 and under at all times. Close supervision and life jackets for kids are recommended rather than free-range wading.
Do I need to hike to reach Skinner's Falls Main Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Skinner's Falls Main Beach?
Paved/gravel NY DEC lot with roughly 50 vehicle spaces at the Skinner's Falls access off Route 97 (Skinners Falls Road) in Milanville/Narrowsburg area. No source found stating a parking fee, but none is confirmed free either.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Skinner's Falls Main Beach?
The adjoining rapids/riffle stretch (Class I-II) makes this a popular commercial rafting and tubing put-in as well as a canoe/kayak launch.
When is the best time to visit Skinner's Falls Main Beach?
Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day), which is also when the seasonal portable restroom is in service.
What are the rules at Skinner's Falls Main Beach?
Canoe/kayak/cartop hand-launch only, no motorized vessels; no glass containers; life jackets required at all times for children 12 and under and mandatory for everyone when river level exceeds 6 feet or November 1-April 30; loaner life jackets available on site; pack out all trash; pets must be leashed; fishing requires a valid license for ages 16+.
What water body is Skinner's Falls Main Beach on?
Skinner's Falls Main Beach is on Delaware River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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