Waterfalls and Swimming Holes Near Southern Vermont
This region covers southern Vermont from Manchester and Dorset to Ludlow, Wilmington, and Brattleboro: quarry swims, gorge pools, and real waterfall hikes.
It works well for a Route 100 south trip, a Manchester weekend, or a Brattleboro-area detour when you want both swimming and waterfalls on the same map. Open each guide for cold-water cautions, parking, and posted swim rules before you go.
Rank 1: Dorset Quarry — Dorset
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Quarry water. Check posted parking and respect neighbors.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 2-5 min
Rank 2: 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 3: Hamilton Falls — Jamaica
Vermont waterfall near Jamaica. Open the trip guide for access; flow varies with season.
Rank 4: Cavendish Gorge — Cavendish
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Gorge pools. Limited shoulder parking—arrive early or carpool.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 15-25 min
Rank 5: 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 6: Buttermilk Falls — Ludlow
Tiered Falls Brook cascade with cold pools and granite ledges, a short woods walk from the road.
- Can you swim?
- Swim allowed in season. Check posted rules
- Walk
- 10-20 min
Rank 7: Cornfield Swimming Hole — Brattleboro
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
- 3-5 min
Rank 8: Broad Brook Falls — Brattleboro
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Tiered falls. Limited shoulder parking—arrive early or carpool.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 1-3 min
Rank 9: Saxtons River Falls — Saxtons River
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Tiered falls. Roadside pull-off access—use the shoulder safely and watch traffic.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- A couple of minutes of sidewalk viewing from the Centennial Bridge in the village of Saxtons River
Rank 10: The Ledges (Harriman Reservoir) — Wilmington
Rocky river pools. Dedicated parking lot.
- Can you swim?
- Conditional swim or wade access. Check flow and signage
- Walk
- Thirty to fifty minutes each way along a rooty bank trail from the main Harriman lot to the Ledges
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