Waterfalls Near Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch
These Vermont waterfalls pair well with a Stowe or Smugglers’ Notch base, with a mix of notch favorites, quick roadside views, and a few worthwhile Mad River Valley add-ons.
Use the list to compare stops, then open each guide for parking, walk time, and seasonal closures. Think of it as a smart short list for the area, not a strict ranking of difficulty.
Rank 1: Moss Glen Falls — 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: Hell Brook Cascades — Stowe
Vermont waterfall near Stowe. Open the trip guide for access; flow varies with season.
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: 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 7: Thundering Brook Falls — Killington area
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 8: Hamilton Falls — Jamaica
Vermont waterfall near Jamaica. Open the trip guide for access; flow varies with season.
Rank 9: Falls of Lana — Salisbury
A short walk near Lake Dunmore to a layered Sucker Brook cascade and classic Vermont waterfall view.
- Can you swim?
- Conditional swim or wade access. Check flow and signage
- Walk
- 10-20 min
Rank 10: 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
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