Peekamoose Blue Hole: The Ulster County swimming hole that's too pretty for its own good

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A Hudson Valley swimming hole has become so popular that some people may have to wait up to a week to reserve a spot there. Peekamoose Blue Hole, a crystal-clear depression in the streambed rock of the Rondount Creek, seems to be too pretty for its own good - and there are consequences to that. Officials with the New York Department of Conservation who toured News 12 around the Peekamoose Blue Hole Thursday said rules on litter and restrictions on the daily number of visitors implemented years ago have yielded positive results. Peekamoose gained massive popularity in the mid-2010s following numerous travel articles and social media posts about the swimming hole. Because of the buzz, the grounds have taken a beating. Park stewards have dealt with increased traffic, litter and decreased vegetation around the swimming hole. The DEC now limits the number of daily visitors to 250, and on-site stewards stand by in the parking lots to check digital permits which must be purchased ahead of time. Yamilet Chazari, of Queens, who visited Peekamoose Thursday with about 10 friends and relatives, said she has noticed a difference. "It's cleaner. Before there was garbage," she said of a previous visit. "Now it seems like everyone's taking [out] their garbage, and it's really nice for the environment." DEC Region 3 Director Kelly Turturro said the rules to decrease litter and congestion are not just for the environment; they are for residents who live near Peekamoose in the hamlet of Sundown. "Providing for sufficient parking, making sure we're not overwhelming [the community], really helps both the natural resources as well as the local community residents." Permits are available online . One permit costs $10 and allows entry for up to five people. There are only 50 available for each day, including weekends and holidays. Turturro said Peekamoose permits are sold out through Sunday. "