Best Vermont Swimming Holes to Visit
This page brings together Vermont swimming holes and a few waterfall stops where swimming is part of the visit, all on one map for easier trip planning.
If you want a swim-first day in Vermont, this is a good place to start. Use the list to compare stops, then open each guide for parking, flow, footing, and posted rules. The order is for planning, not a safety ranking.
#1 Warren Falls — Warren
Swim: allowed. Roadside-access waterfall and swimming area on the Mad River in Warren, Vermont (Mad River Valley), with…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 5 min
#2 Bingham Falls — Stowe
Waterfall and swimmable pool on Mountain Road. Dirt pull-offs by the signed trailhead.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- 10-15 min
#3 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
#4 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
#5 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
#6 Salmon Hole (West River) — Jamaica
Developed West River swim beach inside Jamaica State Park near Salmon Hole Lane—park fees, cold moving water, posted swim…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- Usually a short walk from signed park parking to the beach
#7 Quechee Gorge Swimming Area — Quechee
Big scenery, steep trail, and a crowded summer river stop.
- Swim
- Wading and swimming in lower flow
- Walk
- 10-15 min
#8 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
#9 Foster’s Hole — Stowe
Notch Brook pool near Stowe—roadside pull-off on Notch Brook Road, short stone steps down to a cold mountain brook with a…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- Short walk from typical Notch Brook Road pull-off down stone steps
#10 Trout River Falls — Montgomery
Short roadside approach, river travel at the end, and a standout green pool in summer.
- Swim
- Popular swimming and wading in low water
- Walk
- 15 min