Swan Lake, New York, USA

Old timers remember it as Stevensville Pond, but locals now know Swan Lake as the perfect spot for small town relaxation with access to big city musicians. Located in southwestern New York’s Catskills Mountain tourism region, the lake is a private 332-acre gem tucked away in the town of Liberty, just 10 miles away from the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts where many famous musicians have…
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All About Swan Lake, NY

Old timers remember it as Stevensville Pond, but locals now know Swan Lake as the perfect spot for small town relaxation with access to big city musicians. Located in southwestern New York’s Catskills Mountain tourism region, the lake is a private 332-acre gem tucked away in the town of Liberty, just 10 miles away from the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts where many famous musicians have played.

Swan Lake is used as a recreational lake, and residents and their visitors will find a number of activities to stay busy. Swimming and sunbathing along a private dock is popular, as are the more adrenaline-pumping water sports such as wakeboarding and waterskiing. A more sedate pace can be taken by exploring the lake in a canoe or kayak. The lake’s water levels are controlled by Swan Lake Dam, which was constructed in 1894.

Just over half an hour away from Swan Lake is the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River for those seeking out a bit of variety on the water. The season runs from mid-April through October, providing cooling relief during hot summer days. This section of the Upper Delaware River is the longest free-flowing river in the Northeast, flowing through more than 70 miles of the Catskills region into Pennsylvania. The Upper Delaware is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and offers Class I and II rapids to test your boating skills.

The Town of Liberty is a quick 3 miles from the shores of Swan Lake. Check out the town for a bite to eat or peruse the shops for beautiful antiques to place in your home as a keepsake from the area. The town has a number of local parks close by. Check out Walnut Mountain Park to the southwest of Liberty, where a climb up Walnut Mountain puts you at the highest point in the town at 2,157 feet. Hanofee Park offers outdoor grills for family get-togethers.

Fishing is popular at Swan Lake, where anglers reel in catches of bluegill, northern pike, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. This lake can be accessed throughout all seasons and makes a great spot for ice fishing in the deep of winter. Lakeside homes provide vacation rentals for visitors.

While Swan Lake may not be a high profile lake, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a mere 20-minute drive away, certainly is. The spot, which hosted the original Woodstock festival in 1969, now boasts a $100 million performance center where musicians from all over the world come to play. Spend your day quietly atop the water at Swan Lake, but amp up your evening and listen to anything from country and bluegrass to alternative and classic rock. Exhibits at the nearby museum offer a range of artistic talent.

Start saving up for some time away from the city for a bit of rest and relaxation at Swan Lake. The area combines the perfect amount of outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking and boating, with a social atmosphere of museums and concert venues to rock your world. Check out Swan Lake soon!

Things to Do at Swan Lake NY

These are some activities in the Swan Lake, NY area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Ice Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Water Skiing
  • Wakeboarding
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Museum
  • Antiquing

What Kind of Fish Are in Swan Lake NY?

Swan Lake NY has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Bluegill
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Northern Pike
  • Pike
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Sunfish
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Find Places to Stay at Swan Lake NY

If you’re considering a Swan Lake NY lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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More Sites to Book a Swan Lake NY Vacation

Our interactive Swan Lake NY lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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Swan Lake NY Statistics & Helpful Links

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Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

Surface Area: 332 acres

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,325 feet

Trophic State: Eutrophic


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