Lake Sophia, a spring-fed quarry turned public swim spot at Sojourner Truth State Park in Kingston, is set to open Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. Lifeguards will be on duty every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through Labor Day weekend, and state officials are rolling out the swimming area as part of a larger buildout of the park.
What’s at Lake Sophia
The heart of the swim area is a 12,000-square-foot floating swim crib, built to make getting in and out of the water less of a production and to offer a gentler wading zone. A separate deep-water area, about 15,000 square feet and dropping to roughly 20 feet in places, is set aside for stronger swimmers, with lifeguards keeping eyes on both sections during operating hours, according to the Times Union. Chronogram notes that the crib includes an in-water access ramp and an ADA-compliant gangway to make things easier for new swimmers and visitors with mobility needs.
From Quarry To State Park
For years the site operated as an industrial quarry and brickyard before conservation group Scenic Hudson stepped in, conserved the land and later transferred it to state ownership as part of a broader restoration push. Scenic Hudson documents the acquisition and stewardship work behind the park.
The full buildout carries a price tag of about $75.6 million, funded largely through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which is covering the swim crib, a new bathhouse pavilion and other site infrastructure, according to New York Construction Report.
Built For Access And Safety
The project adds a bathhouse pavilion with public restrooms, showers, a first-aid room and lifeguard stations, while designers kept the swim areas relatively compact to protect water quality and make the quarry safer for everyday use. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said in a statement to the Governor's office, “To be able to cool off and play safely in a stunning fresh-water quarry lake is truly a gift to our communities.” Officials also point out that Lake Sophia is the first new swimming facility added to the State Parks system in roughly 20 years.
Visitor Details
The state is pitching Lake Sophia as a free public gathering place that follows standard New York State Parks policies, with admission and day-use rules aligned with existing guidelines, as reported by Chronogram. On the park’s western side, where the swim area sits, visitors will find new paved trails and a fresh entrance off Route 32. Planners say the two swim zones were sized to limit impacts on water quality while still accommodating about several hundred swimmers without sacrificing safety, according to local reporting.
What Comes Next
State officials expect more upgrades to roll out through 2027, including additional trails, scenic overlooks and interpretive features focused on local Indigenous and industrial history as part of the park’s phased buildout. The reclaimed quarry at Lake Sophia is intended to expand safe, accessible waterfront recreation across the Hudson Valley while keeping the site’s rugged character front and center.
