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West River Trail Cascades
Jamaica, Vermont
Cascade drop. Dedicated parking lot. Near Jamaica.
At a glance
Overview
Cascade drop. Plan for about Sixty to ninety minutes round-trip on the flat West River Trail from Jamaica State Park to the Ball Mountain Dam side trails. (2.5 mi one way if you hike the full approach). Most visitors come for the view; swimming may be limited or not allowed.
- County
- Windham County
- Water type
- Cascade
- Swim feature type
- Waterfall pool
Know before you go
Public
Not wheelchair accessible
Conditions
Conditions snapshot
Check posted signs and official updates before entering.
Getting there
The West River Trail Cascades are a string of small cascades and whitewater features along the West River Trail (the old Brattleboro & Whitehall rail bed) between Jamaica State Park and the Ball Mountain Dam corridor in Jamaica, Windham County. The trail itself is the draw: a mostly flat multi-use path along the West River, with a few signed side trails down to cobble beaches and cascades. This is a trail and scenic stop rather than a swim destination -- the West River here runs cold, sediment-heavy after rain, and current-fed on Ball Mountain Dam release weekends. There is no lifeguard, no facilities beyond Jamaica State Park, and the river current can be dangerous during dam releases. Park at Jamaica State Park (day-use fees apply) and head upstream along the trail; watch for the paddle-release calendar on the USACE Ball Mountain Lake page during April, September, and October release weekends.
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