Swimming

A summer day at Little Niagara

NPS/Natasha Moore

 

Opportunities for swimming can be found throughout the park at the Lake of the Arbuckles, Veterans Lake, and in Travertine and Rock Creeks.

Travertine Creek can be very crowded in summer, particularly on weekends and holidays. Once designated parking spaces are full, cars will not be allowed into the Travertine Creek area until people start to leave and parking spaces are available again. The area is still accessible by trail, but walking distances can easily exceed a mile and a half from the nearest available parking on popular days. Parking rarely fills on weekdays, unless they are holidays, or anytime during late fall, winter, and early spring.

 

SWIM SAFE!

• Choose a safe place for water activities.
• There are no lifeguards on duty; all swimming is at your own risk.
• Small children and non-swimmers should wear Coast Guard approved life jackets; some areas have sudden drop offs.
• Stay within reach of children.
• Don't swim alone.
• If you swim from a boat, make sure the boat is anchored. Never start the engine while swimmers are overboard.
• Water activities and alcohol do not mix. Many drownings are alcohol-related and can be prevented by not drinking alcoholic beverages before or during water sports.
• Know local weather conditions and how to find out what is forecasted.
• Know how to prevent, recognize and care for hypothermia & heat emergencies.
• Enter water feet first rather than head first if the depth is unknown.
• Know your swimming limits.
• Do not try to keep up with someone with stronger skills or ask others to keep up with you.
• Protect your skin with a high rating sunscreen, such as 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays and reapply often.