Waterfalls and Swimming Holes Near the Northeast Kingdom
This page covers the Northeast Kingdomand Vermont's far northern tier: big lakes, cold rivers, and short walks to real falls.
It is best for travelers already heading toward Willoughby, Barton, Troy, Brighton, or the quieter corners of Essex County. Use the map to see what groups well, then open each guide for swim access, parking, and walk details.
#1 Lake Willoughby South Beach — Westmore
A strong public NEK lake-beach page with real trip-planning value.
- Swim
- Beach swimming
- Walk
- 2 min
#2 Lake Willoughby North Beach — Westmore
A second public Willoughby beach page with real NEK trip value.
- Swim
- Beach swimming
- Walk
- 2 min
#3 Big Falls — Troy
A short NEK gorge trail with big-river energy and real payoff.
- Swim
- Wading and swimming below the falls in lower flow
- Walk
- 5-10 min
#4 Big Falls Eddy — North Troy
A safer swim-access page below Big Falls with strong NEK value.
- Swim
- Wading and swimming
- Walk
- 5 min
#5 Crystal Lake State Park Swim Beach — Barton
A straightforward Crystal Lake beach with official public access.
- Swim
- Sandy beach
- Walk
- 2-5 min
#6 Crystal Lake Falls — Barton
A Barton waterfall page with a credible falls pin and thin access detail.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#7 Brighton State Park Swim Area — Brighton
A managed Spectacle Pond beach with easy Island Pond access (Island Pond, Vermont).
- Swim
- Sandy beach
- Walk
- 2-5 min
#8 Roaring Brook Falls — Bradford
A Bradford waterfall page with a credible falls pin and thin access detail.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#9 Wells River Conservation Area — Newbury
A quieter named Wells River public-access page with real breadth.
- Swim
- Wading and swimming
- Walk
- 5 min
#10 Nulhegan Pond Access — Brunswick
Freshwater access near the Nulhegan basin with a conservative access-point pin.
- Swim
- Freshwater swimming
- Walk
- 5 min