One of New Jersey’s largest bodies of water is also one of its most popular swimming spots come summertime. There are two public areas for swimmers: in Hopatcong State Park, at its southwestern tip, and Lee’s County Park on the lake’s other side. The Lakeland Bus Service has buses that travel between the body of water and Port Authority.

This swimming hole is tucked in New Jersey's Norvin Green State Forest. The pool was carved out of the rocky hillside by hand in 1935, and today, it's adjacent to a large recreation area and dozens of hiking options. NJ Transit Bus #197 takes you from Port Authority to Ringwood, NJ (take it to the Ringwood Diner stop and then grab a cab to the pool, per its official website), and from there, it's a three-mile taxi ride to the pool. Cost is $10 per adult on weekdays, and $13 on weekends; prices vary for children.

Harriman State Park has thousands of miles of trails and 31 different lakes and reservoirs, making it the perfect location for hikers who want to swim (or swimmers who want to hike). The Pine Meadow path leads you along a few cascading brooks, up the mountain ledge, and rewards you by ending on the lake. The water is clear and beautiful, and you'll likely see some daredevil cliff-jumpers. The trailhead is a 1.8-mile walk from the Sloatsburg station on the NJ Transit/Metro-North Port Jervis Line; helpfully, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference provides detailed directions.

The +Pool team may be trying to bring a floating pool to the East River, but this already exists on the Hudson. The River Pool may not filter the water, but it's still a unique swimming experience. The sides of the pool float, while the floor and walls are made of a permeable material that lets the river flow through. The pool is located in Riverfront Park, just minutes from the Beacon stop on MetroNorth. As far as pools go, it's pretty small, but make a day of it with a walk along the waterfront or rent a kayak at Long Dock Park.

One of the most accessible swimming spots is the beach at Croton Point Park on the Hudson River, just a 90-minute ride on MetroNorth from Grand Central. The park is just a short walk from the train station, situated on a peninsula that juts out into the river. The sandy beach is on the north side. If you're concerned about swimming in the Hudson River, check Riverkeeper's website before heading out. The nonprofit keeps tabs on the enterococcus count (in layman's terms: how much poop) in the water. The beach is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and costs $10. The park also has a boat launch, hiking trails, grills, and plenty of grassy lawns, and Hudson River Recreation offers kayak rentals in the park and nearby on the Croton River.

The crown jewel of the 14,086-acre Fahnestock State Park in Putnam and Dutchess counties is Canopus Lake. The 1.5-mile lake is open for fishing, boating, and swimming, and there's a large sandy beach surrounded by woods on its northern tip. Those looking for a more active nature adventure can hike through the park before taking a dip, or rent a row boat and explore the length of the lake. To get here, take MetroNorth to Cold Spring, and then take a cab into the park (the beach is about 9 miles from the station).

Located on Long Island, Robert Moses State Park is a less-crowded alternative to shorelines like Jones Beach or Long Beach. It’s located at the western tip of Fire Island, and has spaces for swimming, surfing, fishing, and other beachfront activities. The NYC Beach Bus goes to Field 5 for $49 round-trip.

Despite what the name implies, the Connecticut shoreline of this beach is not silky sand; —it is completely covered with seashells, so best to bring a chair rather than a blanket. There are also no amenities on the beach, but that just helps to keep the crowds away. There's a long boardwalk over the marshland, and the beach is completely free. From Grand Central, take MetroNorth to Milford, then grab a cab or walk the two miles into the park. You can walk past the beloved Lobster Hut, so it's really not a bad option.