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.
#1 Dorset Quarry — Dorset
Route 30 access to a flooded marble quarry—registration, cold deep water, and posted rules that prohibit diving.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- A short walk from typical parking to the quarry rim
#2 Lye Brook Falls — Manchester
A popular Manchester hike to one of Vermont's tallest waterfalls, with a real walk-in and a viewing-first payoff.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 45-60 min
#3 Hamilton Falls — Jamaica
A high-payoff Jamaica waterfall with a moderate hike, a dramatic setting, and a serious safety story.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 1 hr
#4 Cavendish Gorge — Cavendish
Black River gorge in Cavendish near the hydropower corridor—short foot access per recreation summaries; cold slick bedrock…
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- Short foot access described regionally
#5 Thundering Brook Falls — Killington
Short boardwalk falls on Thundering Brook—viewing only, not a swim hole.
- Swim
- Not possible
- Walk
- 10-20 min
#6 Buttermilk Falls — Ludlow
Falls Brook tiers near Ludlow—cold pools, granite ledges, and a short woods walk from the road.
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- About half a mile each way from typical roadside parking to the falls
#7 Cornfield Swimming Hole — Brattleboro
Informal West River bar off Route 30 north of Brattleboro—shoulder pull-off after I-91, short worn path, wide shallow bars…
- Swim
- Allowed
- Walk
- Short informal walk from the Route 30 pull-off to the river bar
#8 Broad Brook Falls — Brattleboro
A Brattleboro roadside-trail waterfall page with a tiny walk and a quick overlook of the falls.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 0-5 min
#9 Saxtons River Falls — Saxtons River
A named village-side waterfall page with clean regional value.
- Swim
- Not recommended
- Walk
- 5 min
#10 The Ledges (Harriman Reservoir) — Wilmington
The Ledges is the better-known Harriman Reservoir ledge-and-beach page, with a long local history, a wooded approach, and a…
- Swim
- Reservoir swimming and ledge entry
- Walk
- 20 min