1-Day Vermont Waterfall Itinerary
This itinerary strings together a full day of Vermont waterfall stops, with one swim-friendly river stop mixed in if you want a break from overlooks and trailheads.
This page is not turn-by-turn routing or a guaranteed timeline. The map and full guides will help you decide which stops actually fit your day.
Rank 1: Moss Glen Falls (Stowe) — Stowe
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Moss Glen Falls in Stowe is one of the quickest big-payoff waterfall walks in Vermont, with a short trail, a wide multi-tier…
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- About twenty minutes round-trip from the lot to the falls overlook
Rank 2: Bingham Falls — Stowe
A popular short-hike waterfall near Stowe with a dramatic gorge and slick rock.
- Can you swim?
- Conditional swim or wade access. Check flow and signage
- Walk
- 15-25 min
Rank 3: Sterling Gorge Falls — Stowe
Viewing only, not a swim stop
A short Stowe interpretive-gorge walk with multiple Sterling Brook cascades, steep edges, and slick rock.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- About twenty to thirty minutes round-trip along the Sterling Falls Gorge trail from the end of Sterling Gorge Road
Rank 4: Smugglers Falls — Cambridge
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Forest cascade. Roadside pull-off access—use the shoulder safely and watch traffic.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- Thirty minutes to an hour each way on a steep off-trail scramble from VT 108 above the state park
Rank 5: Warren Falls — Warren
Stacked Mad River pools and ledges off VT 100 — popular jump spot when flow is settled.
- Can you swim?
- Swim allowed in season. Check posted rules
- Walk
- Fifteen to twenty minutes from the VT 100 lot on a steep bank path to the stacked pools and falls
Rank 6: Bristol Falls — Bristol
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Rocky river pools. Roadside pull-off access—use the shoulder safely and watch traffic.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 1-3 min
Rank 7: Texas Falls — Hancock
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Forest cascade. Dedicated parking lot.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- Thirty to fifty minutes round-trip on the Texas Falls Nature Trail, or five minutes to the falls viewpoint from the lot
Rank 8: Thundering Brook Falls — Killington
Viewing only, not a swim stop
An easy accessible boardwalk walk in Killington to a dramatic waterfall viewing platform.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- Thirty to forty-five minutes round-trip on the accessible boardwalk loop to the viewing platform
Rank 9: Lye Brook Falls — Manchester
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Tall seasonal cascade reached by a moderate Manchester forest hike — flow drops sharply by mid-summer.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- About an hour to the falls for most hikers, and roughly the same back
Rank 10: Hamilton Falls — Jamaica
Vermont waterfall near Jamaica. Open the trip guide for access; flow varies with season.
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