Best Hike-and-Swim Trails in New England

A hike-and-swim day asks for a different kind of planning than a beach day.

You need shoes, timing, water, dry clothes, and the humility to decide that the swim can become a foot soak or a scenic pause if conditions are wrong. The best versions do not punish you for being careful.

These picks reward the walk with water, scenery, or both.

Map of the picks

Map of the places in this guide. Numbers match the list; choose a pin for a short preview and a link to that place's page.

1. Franconia Falls - Lincoln, New Hampshire
2. Rattlesnake Pool - Stoneham, Maine
3. Gulf Hagas and Screw Auger Falls area - Brownville and Katahdin Iron Works, Maine
4. Falls of Lana and Lake Dunmore - Salisbury, Vermont
5. Tully Lake and Doanes Falls area - Royalston, Massachusetts
6. Royalston Falls area - Royalston, Massachusetts
7. Abbey Pond Cascades - Middlebury, Vermont
8. Thirteen Falls area - White Mountains, New Hampshire

Quick answer

Why this guide helps

Hike-and-swim searches bring adventure intent, but they need careful planning language. The guide should feel exciting without pushing readers toward unsafe water decisions.

How to make the hike part work

Start earlier than you think. Afternoon thunderstorms and full lots are both common summer problems.

Carry enough water for the hike even if you are heading to water. A river is not a hydration plan.

Let the conditions decide the swim. If the water is high, cold, or pushy, the destination can still be worth it.

The picks

1. Franconia Falls - Lincoln, New Hampshire

Franconia Falls is for people who want the swim to feel earned. The approach changes the mood of the day, and the rock-and-river setting makes it memorable when conditions are right.

• Best for: Hike-and-swim days and confident walkers
• Watch for: Distance, river level, slippery rock, and afternoon storms
• Make it better: Start early and be willing to turn it into a scenic hike if the water is wrong.

2. Rattlesnake Pool - Stoneham, Maine

Rattlesnake Pool is the kind of clear-water hike people remember, but the approach and conditions should be respected. It is best treated as a scenic reward with swimming only when the day makes sense.

• Best for: Clear-water adventure and western Maine hiking days
• Watch for: Trail access, cold water, and fragile conditions
• Make it better: Keep the group small and the expectations flexible.

3. Gulf Hagas and Screw Auger Falls area - Brownville and Katahdin Iron Works, Maine

This is a bigger commitment than a casual swim stop. The waterfalls and gorge scenery are the reason to go, while any water contact should be treated as condition-dependent and secondary.

• Best for: Serious day trips with dramatic Maine scenery
• Watch for: Remote access, fees, trail distance, and fast water
• Make it better: Plan it as a hike first, then decide about water when you are there.

4. Falls of Lana and Lake Dunmore - Salisbury, Vermont

The Falls of Lana area gives you a hike-and-water pairing with one important advantage: Lake Dunmore can help anchor the day if the falls are better for looking than swimming.

• Best for: Vermont trail days with a lake fallback
• Watch for: Trail conditions, slippery rocks, and posted rules
• Make it better: Use the lake as the dependable swim piece.

5. Tully Lake and Doanes Falls area - Royalston, Massachusetts

This is one of the best Massachusetts versions of the hike-and-swim formula. Tully gives the day a practical anchor, while the surrounding falls add shade, movement, and atmosphere.

• Best for: North-central Massachusetts adventure without a huge drive
• Watch for: Trail conditions, water level, and remote-feeling areas
• Make it better: End at the lake if the waterfall conditions are not swim-friendly.

6. Royalston Falls area - Royalston, Massachusetts

Royalston has a quieter, wooded feel than the headline New Hampshire routes. It is a good reminder that a hike-and-swim day does not need to be famous to be satisfying.

• Best for: Shaded walking, waterfall scenery, and low-key summer exploring
• Watch for: Trail footing and limited services
• Make it better: Bring everything you need and avoid treating the falls as guaranteed swimming.

7. Abbey Pond Cascades - Middlebury, Vermont

Abbey Pond is for people who like the approach as much as the water. It can be a beautiful summer walk, but the swim piece should be flexible and conditions-led.

• Best for: Vermont hiking days with a water reward
• Watch for: Trail steepness, mud, bugs, and changing flows
• Make it better: Make it a morning plan and bring dry layers.

8. Thirteen Falls area - White Mountains, New Hampshire

Thirteen Falls belongs to the more ambitious end of this list. It is not a casual roadside dip, and that is exactly why it needs honest framing.

• Best for: Experienced hikers and bigger White Mountains days
• Watch for: Distance, weather, remoteness, and water conditions
• Make it better: Only choose it when the hiking plan is already solid.

Before you go

• Check the latest rain, river level, heat, and water-quality notice before you drive.
• Read posted signs at the water, even if a guide or map looked good earlier in the week.
• Do not assume lifeguards are present just because a beach or pond is open.
• Keep a second pick within the same region whenever possible.
• Leave roadside shoulders, gates, private driveways, and emergency access clear.
• Pack out trash, keep music low near homes, and treat local swim spots as borrowed space.

More guides

• Start with the full New England Swimming Holes map
• Browse all New England guide articles
• Browse no-hike New England swimming holes
• Compare swimming holes with restrooms and real amenities
• Check warm early-season swimming ideas
• Plan around rain and river conditions

FAQ

What should I pack for a hike-and-swim day?

Bring real shoes, water, snacks, dry clothes, a small towel, bug spray, and a plan for changing weather.

Can kids do hike-and-swim trails?

Some can, but choose short, easy approaches with clear exits and a lake or pond backup.

Should I swim after a hot hike?

Enter slowly and use judgment. Cold water, current, and fatigue can change how your body responds.

Updated 2026-05-31. Conditions, parking rules, lifeguard staffing, fees, reservations, and water-quality postings can change quickly in summer. Check the current park, town, or state notice before you drive.