Best Vermont Swimming Holes
These are some of the best swimming holes in Vermont from across the state, including river pools, quarry dips, and classic cold-water summer stops.
Open each guide for parking, access, hazards, and local swim context before you go. This page works best when you want to compare a few different kinds of swim stops before choosing one.
#1 Cornfield Swimming Hole — West Hartford
Informal West River bar off Route 30 north of Brattleboro—shoulder pull-off after I-91, short worn path, wide shallow bars… (Brattleboro, Vermont).
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- Short informal walk from the Route 30 pull-off to the river bar
#2 Dorset Quarry — Dorset
Route 30 access to a flooded marble quarry—registration, cold deep water, and posted rules that prohibit diving.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- A short walk from typical parking to the quarry rim
#3 Lareau Swim Hole — Waitsfield
Short roadside approach on the Mad River—plan for cold water, mixed use (waders, floaters, jumpers), and summer crowds.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- Often a short walk from typical parking to the river edge
#4 Gold Brook Swimming Hole — Stowe
Bridge pool on Gold Brook off the Route 100 / Waterbury Road corridor—small cold water, steep bank possible, tight neighbor…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- Often a short walk from typical parking to the bridge pool
#5 Mad River Path — Waitsfield
Meadow Road trailhead near Route 100—walk the West Greenway and pick your own Mad River access points along the corridor.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- Minutes from the trailhead to first river views; longer if you explore several stops along the path
#6 Dog River Jacuzzi — Northfield
Town-managed Dog River stop near Northfield Falls—park at the Route 12 fire department lot, short bank walk to a tight… (Berlin, Vermont).
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- A short walk down the bank from the fire department parking
#7 Bolton Potholes — Bolton
Joiner Brook potholes near Bolton—walk or bicycle access only per conservancy and town documentation; extreme hazard, foamy…
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- Depends on your legal bike or shuttle plan
#8 Bristol Falls — Bristol
New Haven River falls and pools along the Lincoln Gap Road corridor—informal shoulder context, cold slick rock, no…
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- Varies by which legal shoulder or bank approach you use
#9 Cavendish Gorge — Cavendish
Black River gorge in Cavendish near the hydropower corridor—short foot access per recreation summaries; cold slick bedrock…
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- Short foot access described regionally
#10 Rock River Swimming Holes — South Newfane
Windham County Rock River pools from signed Route 30 recreation pull-offs—short rocky trail, limited parking, mountain-fed…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 5-10 min