Vermont · Swimming Holes
Bristol Falls
Swim: not recommended. Primary context is the New Haven River falls/pool along the Lincoln Gap Road (VT-116 → Lincoln Gap Rd) corridor in Bristol: community trip reports describe informal shoulder pull-offs near the gorge—verify current striping, land posting, farm gates, and winter road status before you park. This is natural river-bank access, not a staffed swim facility. Cold water year-round; current and depth change quickly after rain and snowmelt. Wet rock stays slippery; there are no lifeguards. Confirm depth and hazards yourself before wading or jumping; supervise children within arm’s reach in moving water.
New Haven River falls and pools along the Lincoln Gap Road corridor—informal roadside river access.
Bristol · Addison County
Photo to follow
First Time Here
Primary context is the New Haven River falls/pool along the Lincoln Gap Road (VT-116 → Lincoln Gap Rd) corridor in Bristol: community trip reports describe informal shoulder pull-offs near the gorge—verify current striping, land posting, farm gates, and winter road status before you park. This is natural river-bank access, not a staffed swim facility.
Cold water year-round; current and depth change quickly after rain and snowmelt. Wet rock stays slippery; there are no lifeguards. Confirm depth and hazards yourself before wading or jumping; supervise children within arm’s reach in moving water.
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 year-round; current and depth change quickly after rain and snowmelt. Wet rock stays slippery; there are no lifeguards. Confirm depth and hazards yourself before wading or jumping; supervise children within arm’s reach in moving water. This guide is independent—posted rules and land managers always win; verify access the day you visit.
Map & Trail
Primary context is the New Haven River falls/pool along the Lincoln Gap Road (VT-116 → Lincoln Gap Rd) corridor in Bristol: community trip reports describe informal shoulder pull-offs near the gorge—verify current striping, land posting, farm gates, and winter road status before you park. This is natural river-bank access, not a staffed swim facility. Driving directions bring you to that Lincoln Gap Road shoulder context—never treat coordinates as permission to block a farm gate.
- 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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