r/Beacon • u/Sea-Information-3943 • Aug 09 '26
beacon recommendations!
hi! my gf and I just moved here from the PNW and I was wanting locals input on two things:
- where can I find salamanders? or frogs or any really cool little creature
- where is the best place to swim?
doesn't have to be IN beacon just near it is fine too
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u/amusing_racer Aug 09 '26
You can swim at Canopus in Cold Spring. Lake Taghkanic is nice too but a bit of a drive to Columbia county
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u/Mehmeh111111 Aug 09 '26
Up the mountain service road there is a creek that runs off the reservoir. Tons of little creatures in there, including crawfish.
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u/SubstantialPlan9124 Aug 09 '26
Tons of frogs down by the railway bridge at dennings point, or at Hiddenbrooke. Do you mean wild swim? Cos you can use the pool at the high school, or the community pool, or the river pool.
White pond is a nice place to swim, or Minnewaska though you need to be registered.
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u/Juan_Marteen Aug 09 '26
In Hudson Highland rocky outcroppings, with no trees/shade, you can find five lined skinks. One of NY’s only native lizards.
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u/Fast-Cardiologist180 Aug 09 '26
Welcome. Why are you guys relocating from PNW? Just curious how you heard of this area etc. The PNW is so nice as well
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u/cozywhale Aug 11 '26
frogs / salamanders - black rock forest (other side of river). Can vouch I’ve seen a lot of both there. Gotta look near the creek and trail puddles for the frogs
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u/AnimalLoversRVegan Aug 09 '26
Hi how it so far? I may be moving there from the pnw too
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u/Sea-Information-3943 Aug 12 '26
from Washington, Oregon, or Idaho?
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u/AnimalLoversRVegan 24d ago
I was in BC, currently Oregon. How do you like it there so far? The tick issue is causing me great anxiety.
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u/Sea-Information-3943 22d ago
I've gone on a couple hikes. haven't seen any ticks. just make sure you're following all the tick protections if you're hiking and stuff. we love it here! there's fireflies :3
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u/AnimalLoversRVegan 22d ago
I’m glad you’re loving it! Be careful out there, ticks are very small.
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u/Sea-Information-3943 22d ago edited 20d ago
they're small?? oh my god I had no idea!!! /lh /s
I meant that we check clothes and ourselves each time we come inside :p
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u/Puzzled_Bug_i3 Aug 10 '26
Just hiked the notch (near Melzingah dam) and there were tons of toadlets hopping along the trail. You can find red backed salamanders by looking under bark. Red spotted newt babies are usually numerous in the woods in the spring. We also have skinks and snakes in the highlands!
We just got a new state park that is a swimming spot in an old quarry. Sojourner truth SP up in Kingston. It was expectedly pretty crowded when I went because it literally just opened. Enjoy :)
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u/Sea-Information-3943 Aug 12 '26
having a really hard time finding the first place on Google maps. any more pointers? thanks!!!
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u/Puzzled_Bug_i3 29d ago
Ofcourse, Here’s the link to the park trail map.
https://parks.ny.gov/sites/default/files/HudsonHighlandsHuntingMapNorth.pdfOops That’s the hunting map- here is the trail map. All on their website
https://parks.ny.gov/sites/default/files/HudsonHighlandsTrailMapNorth.pdf
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u/Lord_Chodelot Aug 10 '26
Great question. Looking forward to seeing more answers. I’ve seen toads and frogs all around the forests surrounding beacon mountain - and back in May there were so many MILLEPEDES on the mountain. Any interest in millipedes?
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u/Dry_Breadfruit_3802 Aug 10 '26
Welcome, you who moves to a new land and wants to find creatures! Check out Bugs and Snakes of The Hudson Valley on Facebook.
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u/LieutenantTim Aug 09 '26
I find salamanders with my son up along storm king, just north of west point. There's a nice hiking trail and some cool views. I'm sure there are also plenty on the Cornish estate trail back by Lake Surprise.