Best Swimming Holes From Stowe
Stowe is a strong base for a Mad River and Route 100 swim day. This list mixes classic river pools with a few waterfall stops people use as cool-offs—not every rank is a deep swim.
Early summer can still mean cold water and slick rock after rain. Use the map for drive order, then open each guide for parking, walk-in time, crowd patterns, and posted rules.
Rank 1: Bingham Falls — Stowe
A popular short-hike waterfall near Stowe with a dramatic gorge and slick rock.
- Can you swim?
- Conditional swim or wade access. Check flow and signage
- Walk
- 15-25 min
Rank 2: Moss Glen Falls — Stowe
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Moss Glen Falls in Stowe is one of the quickest big-payoff waterfall walks in Vermont, with a short trail, a wide multi-tier…
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- About twenty minutes round-trip from the lot to the falls overlook
Rank 3: Foster's Hole — Stowe
Vermont waterfall near Stowe. Open the trip guide for access; flow varies with season.
Rank 4: Cady Falls Swimming Hole — Morrisville
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Cascade drop. Trail access (15-25 minutes one way).
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 15-25 min
Rank 5: Waterbury Center State Park Swim Area — Waterbury Center
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Lake shoreline. Dedicated parking lot.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- A couple of minutes from the day-use lot to the sand and grassy swim area
Rank 6: Little River State Park Swim Beach — Waterbury
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Brook cascades. Dedicated parking lot.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 5 min
Rank 7: Sterling Gorge Falls — Stowe
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A short Stowe interpretive-gorge walk with multiple Sterling Brook cascades, steep edges, and slick rock.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- About twenty to thirty minutes round-trip along the Sterling Falls Gorge trail from the end of Sterling Gorge Road