Waterfalls and Swimming Holes Near Lake Champlain and Burlington
This region covers Lake Champlain, the Champlain Islands, and the Winooski River approach into Burlington.
It works best when you want a mix of beach swimming, river access, and a few quick waterfall stops without driving deep into the mountains. Compare the map first, then open each guide for parking, swim rules, and walk time.
#1 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
#2 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
#3 Shelburne Falls — Shelburne
A Burlington-area waterfall authority page with easy regional relevance.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5 min
#4 Charlotte Town Beach — Charlotte
Freshwater town beach on Lake Champlain with a conservative shoreline pin.
- Swim
- Freshwater swimming
- Walk
- 5 min
#5 Leddy Beach — Burlington
Leddy Beach works well for easy lake access, lower-friction parking, and quick drop-in swims on Burlington's north side.
- Swim
- Freshwater beach swimming
- Walk
- 1-3 min
#6 Red Rocks — South Burlington
Red Rocks is a Vermont swim-access page in the Lake Champlain with a Burlington-area water stop with overlook parking, ledge…
- Swim
- Mixed wading and swimming
- Walk
- 5-10 min
#7 Sand Bar State Park Swim Beach — Milton
A big-water Lake Champlain beach stop with easy causeway access.
- Swim
- Sandy beach
- Walk
- 2-5 min
#8 Clark’s Falls — Milton
A Milton waterfall page with a credible falls pin and thin access detail.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#9 Burton Island Swim Beach — St. Albans
An island-beach Lake Champlain page using Kill Kare ferry parking and Burton Island’s official swimming area.
- Swim
- Lake Champlain beach swimming
- Walk
- 2-5 min
#10 Knight Point State Park Swim Beach — North Hero
A small island state-park beach with easy public access.
- Swim
- Rocky beach
- Walk
- 2-5 min