It's a small manmade lake with beautiful views of the Catskills mountains. Perfect for a hot summer day. They rent canoes, and paddle boats. There's also a small playground. The food is nothing special... standard fast food and ice cream, etc. This place is fun for everyone and an inexpensive way to spend a day especially if you have kids. There were lots of people there but it didn't feel crowded. The beach was clean and the water was clear and refreshing. If you're adventurous and have the time, there is a lengthy hike that is connected to the complex that goes all the way to the top of the Belleayre Mountain. read more

Not even a Lake...more a pond...pretty sure man made. Beach a small strip of sand that obviously man made too...scenery stunning Catskill Mountains Pond water dark brown, green and gross I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND! read more

This is our favorite place to be in the summer. Super family friendly and clean. Can't wait for it to reopen for the season.

Great place for the summertime. Affordable, clean and nice atmosphere. There are paddle boats available for rent, they serve food and treats, they have a playground and clean sand. The view is beautiful. read more

My kids loved it (very young children) so they get that extra star. However, it isn't saying much as my children would be just as happy playing with mud in someone's backyard. Now, I love giving the opportunity to my kids to play with nature provided it's done in a clean natural environment. There is nothing clean or natural about this place. In theory it's nice- try to create that beach effect in mountains for those who miss going to the beach. However, it's not really a good idea and shouldn't have been allowed to actually happen. The sand is brought in from somewhere else (outside the Catskills) and it isn't the smooth nice sand you love sinking your toes into, it's coarse and pebbly. I felt very uncomfortable in it. The lake is green and brown. I don't know how common it is for people to swallow water and get infected by that brain eating amoeba in lakes- but I could see that happening here and I felt very queasy letting my kids into this water. How do they make sure this water is clean? Can it really be clean after all these people and boats have been here year after year? It's a lake- not the ocean where the water is moving in and out. I am not a germaphobe- I really am not. But this whole place just made me want to run home and take a shower. If you just want to paddle boat/kayak around a lake, come here. I wouldn't bring my kids here to play in the water/sand. There is a playground attached. It's very basic. I welcomed this opportunity to get my kids away from the dirty lake. There's also a place to rinse your feet near the parking lot. And a snack shack that sells ice cream. Nice little touches to an otherwise dump. Don't come here. Plenty of other things to do in the area that are really nice. If you want to go to a beach wait to get off the Catskills and go to a real beach. Please. read more

It's an okay place to cool off on a hot summer day, I guess but it was just barely acceptable to me. In fact, when we walked in and saw it up close and realized we were only allowed to be in the water in a pretty small roped in area, we almost turned around and left, this eating the $15 we already paid for parking. But it was hot enough and we'd driven far enough (from Kingston) that we decided we should at least get in the water. It felt pretty refreshing, honestly. We had a nice conversation with a local woman as we swam. The area is beautiful, but this local woman said there are not many true swimmable lakes in this area of the Catskills. We had been looking at other swimming holes in the area before my wife picked this place. I think we would have been fine swimming in any number of sections of the nearby rivers, but this place was ok. Didn't eat food from the snack shack, can't comment. Did get goose poop on our towel which we put on the grassy hill overlooking the pond (calling this man made pond a lake is not accurate). There is goose or duck poop all over the place, and in the water too no doubt. Can't give this much of a recommendation, frankly, but it's probably a good place for young kids and families. The woman also told us that tuesdays and every other day after 6p, you can just park outside the place and walk in and swim for free. read more

If you're up in the area during the summer months, drop by Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill, which is located right next to Belleayre Ski Resort. Lay in the clean white sand specially brought in for this day use area. In the lake, there are different sections with various levels of the depth. The 1st and 2nd sections are usually where the younger kids are or adults who just want to get their feet wet. On the 3rd section out, there is a small deck where the lifeguard sits. From this deck, many kids and grown-ups jump into the lake which is approximately 12 ft deep. The 4th section, is designated for swimmers only. Beyond that is the rest of the lake where you can rent a kayak/paddleboat ($6.00 / hour) to enjoy in this decently sized lake. On the premises, there is a swing set/playground and several picnic tables. Take note, what you bring in, you must bring out. There are no garbage cans, so be respectful and clean up after yourself. To get in, it is $8.00 per car or $2.00 per walk-in person, so squeeze everyone in a car to get the best rate. If you're staying on a New York State DEC campsite in the area, make sure to bring your campsite parking voucher and you will be able to get in the Belleayre Beach day use area for free. read more

Pleasant spot to spend a few hours under a tree or on the sand on the man made lake. HOWEVER up until a fee years ago in could always use my NYS Empire Pass - one seasonal payment for all state parks. Now they charge a steep parking fee which hardly makes it worthwhile especially to stop in for a short time. It's just worth it. read more

Great little man-made lake to cool off in the Catskills. Nice facilities, snacks, and boat rentals.