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.
Rank 1: Pachaug State Forest Swim Area — Voluntown
Roped swim beach on Green Falls Pond, Pachaug State Forest. Campground next door.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- roadside
Rank 2: Mohegan Park Beach — Norwich
Spaulding Pond beach at Norwich's Mohegan Park. Lifeguards late-June to late-August.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- roadside
Rank 3: Gardner Lake — Bozrah / Montville / Salem
Small DEEP sand beach on 528-acre Gardner Lake. Tiny lot — closes early on hot weekends.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- roadside
Rank 4: Beach Pond — Voluntown
CT/RI border pond off Route 165. State launch posts no-swim; town-run Finn Beach handles swim access.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- roadside
Rank 5: Yantic Falls — Norwich
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Historic ~40 ft drop on the Yantic River at Uncas Leap Heritage Park; gorge, mill ruins, and overhead footbridge.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 5 min
Rank 6: Nehantic State Forest — Lyme
Uncas Pond sandy beach inside Nehantic State Forest, Lyme. Unguarded swim, free.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 5 min
Rank 7: Amos Lake Beach — Preston
Private beach-club shoreline on Amos Lake, Preston; public access is a state boat ramp only, no open swim beach.
- Walk
- roadside
Rank 8: Devil's Hopyard State Park — East Haddam
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Classic CT state park around Chapman Falls in East Haddam. Picnic grove, covered bridge, and loop trails.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 45-90 min
Rank 9: Chapman Falls — East Haddam
Viewing only, not a swim stop
60 ft stair-step cascade on Eight Mile River in Devil's Hopyard State Park. Short viewing path from the picnic lot.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10-15 min
Rank 10: Bashan Lake — East Haddam
Private-shoreline East Haddam lake; access is the state boat launch only, no public swim beach, hydrilla posted.
- Walk
- roadside