Swimming Holes Near Mystic & Eastern Connecticut
This list spans New London County lake country and the short hops inland to Eightmile River gorge classics that make sense on the same summer trip.
Summer weekends can fill parking fast, and swim rules change with postings. Compare pins first, then use each guide for walk time, fees, and where swimming is actually allowed. For statewide picks, see Best Connecticut Swimming Holes.
#1 Pachaug State Forest Swim Area — Voluntown
Pachaug State Forest Swim Area is a Connecticut freshwater state park swim area page using a conservative arrival pin and a…
- Swim
- Swimming is part of the appeal here, but scout water clarity, footing, crowding, and any posted advisories before entering
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#2 Mohegan Park Beach — Norwich
Mohegan Park Beach is a Connecticut freshwater freshwater beach/lake page using a conservative arrival pin and a matched…
- Swim
- Swimming is part of the appeal here, but scout water clarity, footing, crowding, and any posted advisories before entering
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#3 Gardner Lake — Bozrah / Montville / Salem
Gardner Lake State Park is a Connecticut freshwater state park swim area page using a conservative arrival pin and a matched…
- Swim
- Swimming is part of the appeal here, but scout water clarity, footing, crowding, and any posted advisories before entering
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#4 Beach Pond — Voluntown
Beach Pond is a Connecticut freshwater pond page using a conservative arrival pin and a matched water point for a practical…
- Swim
- Swimming is part of the appeal here, but scout water clarity, footing, crowding, and any posted advisories before entering
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#5 Yantic Falls — Norwich
Yantic Falls is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a scouting-first…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#6 Nehantic State Forest — Lyme
Nehantic State Forest is a Connecticut freshwater state park swim area page using a conservative arrival pin and a matched…
- Swim
- Swimming is part of the appeal here, but scout water clarity, footing, crowding, and any posted advisories before entering
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#7 Amos Lake Beach — Preston
Amos Lake Beach is a Connecticut freshwater freshwater beach/lake page using a conservative arrival pin and a matched water…
- Swim
- Swimming is part of the appeal here, but scout water clarity, footing, crowding, and any posted advisories before entering
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#8 Devil's Hopyard State Park — East Haddam
Devil's Hopyard State Park is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#9 Chapman Falls — East Haddam
Chapman Falls is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#10 Bashan Lake — East Haddam
Bashan Lake is a East Haddam freshwater swim spot with practical parking guidance, a mapped shoreline pin, and a more…
- Swim
- Swimming is a real reason to come here, but still check posted rules, water clarity, entry footing, and crowding before getting in
- Walk
- 10-20 min