St Lawrence River - Swimming Holes on Waymarking.com

Neckid? That gets everyone's attention but the relaxed dress code is because you'll be ALONE at what was once Dickinson's Beach and campsite. Closed over thirty years ago, the breakwaters are still there protecting the sand which was brought in to create this beach which still overlooks the submerged village of Dickinson's landing.

I've never seen anyone on this beach, I've been there many times myself and have seen footprints and a telltale path leading in from the road. The beach is sheltered enough from the prevailing winds that one can easily land boats there, plus the bottom rises quickly. The remnants of the campsites with their numbered lots can still be seen through the long grass and trees.

Located midway along the Long Sault Parkway at the south end of Dickinson's Island, this spot can be reached by car, entrance fee between Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends, or free by bike anytime. The Parkway is part of the cycling path that runs along the St Lawrence river and offers choices of paved paths and stone dust covered trails. There are other "tourists" beaches along this stretch of river but the population densities are much higher, yet none have lifeguards anymore.

The small "teardrop" entrance southside of the Parkway in the "after" photo is the best place to park a vehicle or access the small path leading down to the old beach with your bike. I superimposed the outline of Dickinson's Island onto the "before" photo to show what is dry today and where the submerged town is in relation to the old beach.