Thompsons Lake 6244 Cred NY State Office of Parks Recreation Historic Preservation 1f817f3e 80f3 417f 9454 7ec631de93eb

Where to Cool Off in Albany County

Summer is making a splash in Albany County!

From the beach to splash pads and pools, there are plenty of places to take a dip or just relax and get cool. Scroll on for some places to chill out and cool off during the hot summer months in Albany County.

CreditNY State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

Thompson’s Lake State Park

Address: 68 Thompson´s Lake Rd & Rte 157 East Berne, NY 12059
Hours: Beach open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM from June 22 - September 7, 2026
Price: Vehicle entrance fee $7 per car

Enjoy a beach day this summer at Thompson's Lake State Park tucked within the beautiful John Boyd Thacher Park grounds! Whether you plan to relax on the sand or swim the day away, a trip to Thompson's Lake makes for a perfect, cool summer day in Albany County. You can also get onto the water from the boat launch and enjoy a relaxing day canoeing or kayaking on the lake.

Thompson's Lake State Park is nestled within the mountains just four miles away from the breathtaking Helderberg Escarpment. Keep the fun going and enjoy a scenic camping getaway at this spot, offering 140 wooded campsites. Other features of this site include fishing, stand-up paddleboards, nature trails, a playground, volleyball court, and close access to the Thacher Nature Center. Programs and activities for campers are offered throughout the summer! Learn more here.

Spray Pads & Pop-Jets

Soak up some fun this summer at one of the many splash pads in Albany! Now open for the 2024 season, splash pads are a great way for kids of all ages to beat the heat and have some fun. As zero-depth aquatic playgrounds, they're a great, safe option for smaller children to explore and play with water. 

Bonus: Dry off after splashing around at a playground found at each park these splash pads are located in!

City of Albany Splash Pad Locations
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM
Price: Free

Black Lives Matter Park
484 Livingston Ave, Albany, NY 12206		North Swan St. Park 
52 2nd St, Albany, NY 12210
Hackett Park
35 N. 1st St, Albany, NY 12210		Lincoln Park
701 Lincoln Park Rd, Albany, NY 12202
Rosemont Park
6140 N. Scott St, Albany, NY 12203		Ridgefield Park
777 Park Ave, Albany, NY 12208
Sheridan Park
77 Elk St, Albany, NY 12210		Westland Hills Park
Zoar Ave, Albany, NY 12201

City of Albany Pop-Jets Locations
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM - 8 PM

Clinton Market Collective
11A Clinton Ave, Albany, NY 12207

Albany County Pools Open to the Public

Summer is never complete without a dip in the pool! Enjoy a relaxing and refreshing swim day at one of the Albany County pools open to residents and non-residents all summer long. 

Bozenkill Park Pool
Address: 6374 Gun Club Rd, Altamont, NY 12009
Hours: 12 PM to 7 PM (Pool is open June 13 - August 16, 2026)
Price: Residents: $6 per person, $4 for children 4 and under, free for seniors 62+
         Non-residents: $8 per person, $6 for children 4 and under, and $6 for seniors 62+

Lansing Pool
Address: 34 James St, Cohoes, NY 12047
Hours: Open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM
Price: Free for residents, $10 for non-residents 
(Photo ID required for all; residents much show additional proof of residency) 

Veterans Memorial Pool
Address: 1530 2nd Ave, Watervliet, NY 12189
Hours: Monday to Friday, 12 PM to 6 PM, Saturday 12 PM to 4 PM
Price: Pool passes required. Apply here.

Watervliet/Green Island/Menands Residents

  • Ages 12 and over: $11.00
  • Ages 1 to 11: $6.00
  • Age under 1: Free

Non Watervliet/Green Island/Menands Residents

  • Ages 12 and over: $21.00
  • Ages 1 to 11: $11.00
  • Age under 1: Free

Albany County Pools Open to Residents and Their Guests

Are you a resident of Bethlehem, Colonie, or Guilderland? Whether you're looking for a place to cool down right in town or have someone visiting that you'd like to show around, the following pools are open to residents and their guests! Proof of residency required, visit each location's website for full information. 

Elm Avenue Park PoolComplex

Open to Town of Bethlehem Residents and their guests
Address: 261 Elm Avenue, Delmar, NY  12054
Hours: Open daily 12 PM to 8 PM (pool will have shorter hours 10:30 AM - 7 PM starting August 8)
Price: Residents: $5.50 for adults, $5 for children, free for children under 5 and senior citizens 
          Guests: $8.50 for adults, $7 for children, $7 for children 4 and under, $5.50 for senior citizens
          Season passes are available, prices lower after 5 PM

Mohawk River Park and Pool

Open to Town of Colonie Residents and their guests 
Residents 18+ are allowed up to 3 guests 
Address: 71 Schermerhorn Rd, Cohoes, NY 12047
Hours: Open daily 10:30 AM to 7 PM until September 4, 2026
Price: Residents: $7 for adults, $6 for children, free for children 4 and under 
         Guests: $14 for adults, $11 for children, $2 for children 4 and under 

*New for 2026 - Residents must now obtain Resident Key FOB to enter the pool this season

Tawasentha Pool

Open to Guilderland Residents and their guests 
Address: 188 Route 146, Altamont, NY
Hours: Open daily 12 PM to 7 PM (Open at 11:30 AM on weekends)
Price: Residents: $6 for adults, $4 for children, free for children under 5 and senior citizens (Photo ID for proof of residency required)
         Guests: $8 for adults, $6 for children, $4 for children under 5 and senior citizens

City of Albany Pools for Residents

If you're local to the City of Albany check out some of the following pools: Note that the following pools are open to residents of the City of Albany; A RecPass is required for entry into all City of Albany pools. Each pool is free for residents! 

Arbor Hill Pool
50 Lark Street, Albany, NY 12210

Mater Christi Pool
1134 New Scotland Road, Albany, NY 12208

Lincoln Park Pool
701 Lincoln Park Rd, Albany, NY 12202

Albany West Community Pool
520 Livingston Ave, Albany, NY 12206

*A RecPass is required for entry into all City of Albany pools.

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