Access is now private and restricted.
Indian summer, it’s a blissful thing. Another week with temperatures up in the 80s means more swimming and sunning, I’ll ride this train as long as I can. There are two popular and totally legal swimming holes in Woodstock, Millstream and Big Deep [Both names are recognized by Google maps, Millstream is near the Millstream Rd + Old Wagon Rd intersection, Woodstock and Big Deep is a mile down the road by the intersection of Casablanca Ln + 212, Woodstock]. Just two minutes off of the main drag in town down some quiet back roads you’ll find a line of cars and a small crowd of people enjoying this serene scene. Make sure to follow the rules of the parking signs, I saw a cop walking down the line writing out tickets for those illegally parked. You’ll be fine as long as you pay attention to signs, there are plenty of spots if you are willing to walk a bit. Head on in to find gorgeous green water sparkling in the sunshine, brisk and deep.
Big families, older couples, young teens, twenties, thirties, dogs – everyone here is having fun, and being very respectful. People look out for one another, an older woman warned me that the rocks were slippery. Be warned as I was and walk with caution. Find yourself an open spot and decide whether you want to wade on in from shallow to deep, or dive off the rock and just get it over with!
It’s so wonderful to swim in a (legal!) natural setting, you won’t be able to wipe the smile off your face!
Enjoy this weather while you can, have a great swim in Woodstock.
I think it would be better to take this website down since families are looking forward to swimming holes/pools.
If you notice, I never said the waterways were private – I said the ACCESS is private – and has been shut off in the last couple of years due to people NOT being respectful. Also, the town of Woodstock closed both Big Deep and Little Deep this summer due to the crowds congregating during COVID (people have not been practicing social distancing) and the trash piles of garbage that appear each day that they have no budget or staff to clean up. Be aware that police officers are ticketing both cars parked illegally attempting to access the swimming holes, and individuals on private property (or town property that’s been closed to the public.) Find somewhere that you’re legally entitled to swim – better than spending a ton of money to be ticketed.
Karen’s a tireless warrior!
Yes, yes access to streams in NY on private property is not allowed. BUT, these waterways and streams are PUBLIC. There are ways into the water that are accessible and open to the public. Park where you are allowed. Read the signs and be respectful. Take trash with you, leave no trace behind and be mindful. But Thegardenofeating is wrong. Waterways are not private and cannot be owned. The Supreme Court ruled against it lady! Sharing is caring. And this Karen is pissed that there are people enjoying the water, as is their right as tax payers!
THERE IS NO LEGAL ACCESS TO THE STREAM UNLESS YOU CAN WALK ON WATER ANY
MORE … LAND OWNERS ARE FEED UP WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE THERE.. POLICE WILL BE CALLED AND TICKETS WILL BE ISSUED OR ARREST. NEW SIGNS ARE POSTED AS WELL..
Hi Julie, I wanted to let you know that nearly all of the access to this stream is privately owned (including the spots you mention and include photos of here) and is no longer accessible to the public due to far too many visitors being far too disrespectful to these local treasures – garbage, loud music, people using the woods as a toilet, people having fights and more. A tragedy of the commons. It would be best to delete this post as people risk arrest if they show up along this stream and it is enforced and the guardians of this stretch of the Sawkill are tired of being harassed.
I don’t see why not, you might have some hungry neighbors though 🙂 !
That place is beautiful im wondering if you can cook in there i mean to bring a grilled and stuffed…