Map — Lareau Swim Hole | New England Swimming Holes

Parking and roadside use must follow posting. Route 100 carries through traffic—watch for pedestrians.

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Coordinates point to the main parking / entry area (not a specific pool depth). Cross-check any app pin with what you see on the ground before you unload.

Parking

Intake frames primary access across Route 100 from the Lareau Farm area. Park only where clearly allowed; keep through lanes and driveways clear. Summer crowds add pressure—have a backup plan if the shoulder feels full.

Directions

Approach on Vermont Route 100 through Waitsfield in the Mad River Valley. Use the button below for turn-by-turn to the pinned coordinates.

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Explore nearby spots

Other places in the catalog you may want to compare for access, water, and conditions.

Mad River Path – West GreenwaySwim: allowed. Waitsfield’s Mad River Path (West Greenway): park at the Meadow Road trailhead near Route 100, take a short flat walk on a multi-access river corridor—not one single swim hole. Pebble and gravel entries, shallow to moderate wading, and gentle current in many reaches when the river is low; cold water, no lifeguards, and footing that changes by stop.View guide →
Warren FallsSwim: allowed. Roadside-access waterfall and swimming area on the Mad River in Warren, Vermont (Mad River Valley), with short access, plunge pools, cascades, and hazards including slippery rock, fast current, cliff jumping, and variable depth.View guide →
Dog River Jacuzzi Natural AreaSwim: allowed. Compact Dog River plunge pool near Northfield Falls (Town of Berlin): park at the Route 12 fire department lot, short bank walk, cold water, and a small pool below a bedrock drop—not a long riverside beach. No lifeguards; current and slippery rock change with the river.View guide →
Bristol FallsSwim: 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.View guide →
Bolton PotholesSwim: 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.View guide →
Wrightsville ReservoirSwim: allowed. **Wrightsville Beach** is a managed swim and picnic area on the **Wrightsville Reservoir** impoundment, run by the Wrightsville Beach Recreation District (Middlesex, Montpelier, East Montpelier, Worcester). Check **wrightsvillebeachvt.com** and the **Middlesex** recreation page for day-use fees, season dates, shelters, and boating/no-wake rules. Turn-by-turn directions target the signed Wrightsville Beach recreation area on VT-12—match the beach gate and lot you see in the field. Expect **open water** with motor traffic nearby; water stays cold even on hot days. Lifeguards only when explicitly posted. Shoreline and ramps can be slick—supervise children and follow district signage.View guide →