SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y., August 23, 2026: Open water swimmers will take to the Hudson River next weekend for the annual Lighthouse Swim, a challenging 2.5 mile crossing from Nyack to Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, August 30, and will bring experienced swimmers onto one of the Hudson Valley’s most recognizable stretches of water. The race is designed as both an athletic challenge and a fundraiser supporting Feeding Westchester and other local nonprofit organizations.
The official event website lists the swim as open to participants ages 14 through 100, with registration scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on August 26.
A 2.5 Mile Swim Across the Hudson
The Lighthouse Swim begins in Nyack and finishes at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow, giving competitors a long open water route across the Hudson River.
Organizers describe the course as a beautiful but demanding swim that offers participants panoramic Hudson River views while they make their way toward the historic village of Sleepy Hollow.
The event’s swimmer guide lists check-in at 6:15 a.m., with participants required to follow specific safety and course procedures before entering the water.
The race is intended for swimmers with open water experience. Participants must meet the event’s experience requirements, underscoring the physical demands of crossing the river rather than simply swimming in a pool or controlled waterfront setting.
The Finish Line at Kingsland Point Park
The swim concludes at Kingsland Point Park, a waterfront park in Sleepy Hollow.
The finish also puts competitors near the historic Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, creating a distinctive setting for the event. The lighthouse is a longtime Hudson River landmark and is located along the waterfront at the park.
For spectators, the combination of the river crossing, waterfront setting and historic landmark gives the event a visual quality that sets it apart from a typical road race.
More Than a Race
The Lighthouse Swim has a charitable mission alongside its athletic component.
According to organizers, swimmer participation supports Feeding Westchester and other local charities. That fundraising component gives the event a broader community purpose beyond the competition itself.
The race also provides an opportunity for swimmers to take part in an unusual Hudson Valley sporting tradition while supporting nonprofit organizations serving the local community.
Registration Remains Open
The official Lighthouse Swim website currently lists 125 spots remaining, with registration scheduled to close August 26 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. The listed entry price is $100, and the event is open to swimmers ages 14 through 100.
With the event approaching quickly, the remaining registration window gives prospective participants only a few days to secure a place in the field.
A Distinctive Hudson Valley Sporting Event
The Lighthouse Swim stands out because of the setting as much as the competition.
Rather than following a conventional road or track course, swimmers will cross one of the nation’s best known rivers before finishing in a historic Hudson Valley community.
The event’s combination of open water athletics, charity fundraising and a distinctive finish at Kingsland Point Park makes it one of the more unusual sporting events on Sleepy Hollow’s summer calendar.
On August 30, the Hudson River will become the course as swimmers make their way from Nyack toward Sleepy Hollow and the finish at Kingsland Point Park.