Spring-fed quarry lake is the state’s first swimming area in over 20 years
While locals – including some officials present at the July 17 opening ceremonies – remember sneaking onto the property to take a dip at the former quarry lake, now everyone has a chance.
After 10am on Friday, July 17, 2026, following opening presentations and a ribbon cutting, the first official swimmers took to Lake Sophia at Sojourner Truth State Park – including the Mayor of Kingston, Steve Noble, who may or may not have been the one referenced above, and still has a pretty good cannonball. “I too am very excited to jump in the lake,” Noble said during the opening ceremony. “I’ve been told to do that a few times by some of my constituents, so today I am officially ready to do that.”
The naturally turquoise-tinted site features a 12,000-square-foot swim crib with an in-pool ramp and ADA-compliant gangway for easy access for all, as well as a16,000-square-foot guarded deep-water swim area; the total swimming area is larger than two Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to officials.
The lake area includes a new bathhouse with restrooms, showers and changing stalls (but there are no lockers). There’s also a new park entrance directly off of Route 32 in Kingston.
Lake Sophia is named for Sojourner Truth’s daughter. Truth, born into slavery in Ulster County in 1797 as Isabella Baumfree, “walked away by daylight” to free herself, and remained a trailblazing advocate for human rights in the 19th century.
Good news for those hoping for one last mid-week dip at Lake Sophia in Kingston – despite word that swim hours would be cut to weekends-only, officials confirmed with HVNY that swimming hours will remain unchanged through the rest of the season.
“This time of year, all swimming areas have challenges finding lifeguards. Fortunately, our water safety crew did some amazing work to cover our gaps when at first we thought it wouldn’t be possible.”
The last day to swim at Lake Sophia is Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Sojourner Truth State Park, the home of Lake Sophia, is open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Lake Sophia at Sojourner Truth State Park
100 Sojourner Truth Way, Kingston, NY 12401
Swimming hours: Daily 10am – 5:45pm through Labor Day weekend
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk
Cost of admission: $8 per vehicle
Swim area rules and regulations:
Obey park employees at all times
Children must always be directly supervised by an adult
Swimming is permitted in designated areas only when lifeguards are on duty
Proper swimming attire is required to enter the water
Only US Coast Guard approved floatation devices are permitted
Only approved swim diapers permitted in the water
Not permitted: Food and drink, pop-up tents, horse play, ball or frisbee play, use of whistles, PA systems or amplified instruments, running on deck, diving or jumping from fences, dunking or pushing other swimmers, swim fins, snorkels or masks which cover the nose.
Note: Yes, Lake Sophia is open and the parking lot may be full but there is still no parking where there are ‘No Parking’ signs.
Lake Sophia is a great new attraction for our region, and, like any good place especially on a warm summer day, there are capacity limits and certain times can be more crowded than others. Parking for Lake Sophia is available in designated lots in the state park, and local officials are reminding visitors to abide by the ‘No Parking’ signs.
“First Avenue from Kingston Street to the Kingston City line has and will continue to be No Parking on either side of the roadway,” the City of Kingston said. “This has been in place for years, and while some of the signage has seen better days, there is ‘No Parking’ allowed.”
City reps said that the Department of Public Works will be installing temporary signage for clarity until the permanent signs are upgraded. Those not following posted signage will be ticketed and towed by the Kingston Police Department, if deemed necessary, city officials added.
Questions from our HVNY readers:
Question: Is there a fee to get in?
Answer: There is an $8 fee per vehicle, but no extra fees to swim. If you bike into Sojourner Truth State Park, or take the Ulster County Nature Bus, it’s free.
Question: Where do doggos swim?
Answer: Not here. Dogs are prohibited at New York State Park beaches and swim areas. Leashed dogs are permitted on the trails (but make sure you’re cleaning up after them, and take it with you).
Question: Are floatation devices allowed?
Answer: Swimmies and swim vests for kids are allowed but please leave your giant inflatable swan and the like at home. Park rules state only US Coast Guard approved floatation devices are permitted.
Question: I wonder if you can swim outside of the guarded area?
Answer: No, you cannot. The only place you are allowed to swim, and can access, are the two cordoned off areas – a 12,000-square-foot swim crib and 16,000-square-foot guarded deep-water swim area – when lifeguards are on duty.
Question: How deep is it?
Answer: 16- to 20-feet in the deep swim area, depending on water levels. The swim crib maxes at 4-feet-deep.
Question: Is there a beach area?
Answer: There are not waterfront spots to lay out a towel near the lake – you must go down the steel ramp to access the water area – but there are sandy spots overlooking the water with seating areas dotted throughout the rim of the quarry with chairs and umbrellas available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Question: Can we selfishly make it for Ulster County residents only?
Answer: Too late for that! State parks rule.
Question: Are bathing suits mandatory? Asking for a friend…
Answer: Yes, @otsego_skinnydipping_society, this is a public park, please keep clothed here. (please note: I did write ‘pubic park’ accidentally at first…but still, please wear a bathing suit!) Officials add: Proper swimming attire is required to enter the water.
Question: What’s the temperature?
Answer: Around 11am on opening day (July 17, 2026), it was a pleasant 68-degrees, according to one lifeguard. Since it’s a contained quarry lake, it does stay a bit more temperate depending on the amount of rainfall.
Question: Hold up! That quarry pond we used to ride our ATVs to? This is great news!
Answer: Yes, but officials don’t really want to hear about that time.
Question: Are there trails or hiking paths?
Answer: Lake Sophia is part of Sojourner Truth State Park, and the Empire State Trail also runs through the park. See a map, here: https://parks.ny.gov/sites/default/files/SojournerTruthTrailMap.pdf
Question: So, it’s like a big pool in the lake? Or similar to Lake Taconic [sic]?
Answer: Like a big pool, plus a roped off swim area in a lake. Doesn’t have waterfront beach area like Lake Taghkanic, but there are sandy spots with seating available (first-come, first-served) overlooking the quarry.
Question: Looks nice but very little shade…
Answer: It’s a swimming area with umbrellas and a few shady areas up top. As one Redditor noted: “Lakes quite famously do not have trees in them.”
Have any other questions?Comment below or email hello@hvny.info and we’ll add it here.
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