Vermont · Swimming Holes
Bolton Potholes
Swim: not recommended. Vermont River Conservancy and the Town of Bolton document **no legal car parking** at the potholes: access is **foot or bicycle only**; parking is prohibited on Smilie Memorial Elementary grounds, along US-2 per state statute, and on Bolton Valley Access Road for two miles north of US-2 per town ordinance. Mapped coordinates along Bolton Valley Access Road are a **walk-or-bike approach reference only**—not a parking space. Re-read current ordinances before you go. Cold water, strong currents possible, and extremely slippery rock; documented fatalities have occurred—never enter foamy/aerated water. Flow changes with rain; there are no lifeguards. Dogs are not allowed at the site per land-manager posting. If anything looks off, choose another day.
Joiner Brook potholes near Bolton—walk-in access only; land-manager rules govern parking.
Bolton · Chittenden County
Photo to follow
First Time Here
Vermont River Conservancy and the Town of Bolton document **no legal car parking** at the potholes: access is **foot or bicycle only**; parking is prohibited on Smilie Memorial Elementary grounds, along US-2 per state statute, and on Bolton Valley Access Road for two miles north of US-2 per town ordinance. Mapped coordinates along Bolton Valley Access Road are a **walk-or-bike approach reference only**—not a parking spot. Re-read current ordinances before you go.
Cold water, strong currents possible, and extremely slippery rock; documented fatalities have occurred—never enter foamy/aerated water. Flow changes with rain; there are no lifeguards. Dogs are not allowed at the site per land-manager posting. If anything looks off, choose another day.
Flow, posting, and neighbor context change with the season—use this page as orientation, then verify on site.
Should You Go
Good for
- Visitors comfortable with cold moving water and natural, uneven footing
- Groups that will read Conditions then still judge each access on site
- People willing to follow posted access and neighbor context
Skip if
- You need lifeguards or a managed pool
- High water or storms make you uneasy—wait for another day
- You want lifeguarded water and zero ambiguity about rules before you arrive
Safety on site
Cold water, strong currents possible, and extremely slippery rock; documented fatalities have occurred—never enter foamy/aerated water. Flow changes with rain; there are no lifeguards. Dogs are not allowed at the site per land-manager posting. If anything looks off, choose another day. This guide is independent—posted rules and land managers always win; verify access the day you visit.
Map & Trail
Vermont River Conservancy and the Town of Bolton document **no legal car parking** at the potholes: access is **foot or bicycle only**; parking is prohibited on Smilie Memorial Elementary grounds, along US-2 per state statute, and on Bolton Valley Access Road for two miles north of US-2 per town ordinance. Mapped coordinates along Bolton Valley Access Road are a **walk-or-bike approach reference only**—not a parking spot. Re-read current ordinances before you go. Use maps to plan a legal bike or shuttle drop-off, then walk the remaining distance—do not treat the road point as a car park.
- Natural river access—footing and posting change with season and weather.
- Confirm trail names, distances, and seasonal closures against official sources when you can.
Gallery
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