Most lists of waterfalls in Vermont rank them by height or by how pretty they look on a phone screen. That is not how trips actually get planned. You usually start with a question: can we swim there, will the photos be worth the drive, is it a real hike, and can we still go after the snow flies? This guide sorts the state’s best-known falls by what you can actually do at each one, with the walk length, the posted rules, the parking reality, and the fees that apply in 2026.
It is current as of late October 2026, with the first snow already on Mount Mansfield. Bringing a group? The bus section near the end covers the road limits that catch planners off guard, including the legal ban on long vehicles through Smugglers’ Notch.
How to use this guide to waterfalls in Vermont
Each fall appears under the activity it suits best, with location, walk, rules, fees and parking. Vermont waterfalls sit on a patchwork of state parks, state forests, the Green Mountain National Forest, town land and private property, so rules change from site to site. Where an agency has published a rule, it is summarized below; the sign at the trailhead always has the final word.
Waterfalls in Vermont where swimming is customary (and where it is not)
Some falls are packed with swimmers on any hot July weekend. Others look inviting but are off limits for good reasons. The classic swim spots come first, then the places to keep your feet dry.
Warren Falls (Warren, Mad River Valley)
Warren Falls is a series of ledges, chutes and deep pools on the Mad River, on Green Mountain National Forest land that the Forest Service acquired in 1998. The trailhead is just under 2 miles south of Warren village on VT-100, and the walk to the water is only about 0.1 mile on packed dirt.
What you can do: swim, sunbathe on the ledges, and watch (or join) the cliff jumping that has made this spot famous. The Trail Finder listing for Warren Falls describes high cliffs, fast water and deep holes, and notes that the area is heavily used.
- Walk: about 0.1 mile one way, easy
- Rules: pack out all trash, do not build rock dams, stay on designated trails, dogs on leash
- Fees: none listed
- Parking: a lot on the west side of VT-100; do not park on the highway shoulder
Arrive before 10 a.m. on summer weekends. Once the lot fills, there is nowhere legal to leave a car nearby.
Bartlett Falls, also called Bristol Falls (Bristol)
On the New Haven River near Lincoln Road, Bartlett Falls drops into a wide, deep pool framed by a smooth rock wall. Local coverage in the Addison Independent counted at least 50 people at the falls on a single summer Saturday, and Bristol police issued 86 parking tickets there in one July.
What you can do: swim, float and picnic on the rocks. People jump here too, but depth changes with every storm.
- Walk: a short scramble down from roadside pull-offs
- Rules: a town ordinance bans parking any part of your vehicle on the pavement; leash dogs
- Fees: none that we could find
- Parking: small pull-offs along Lincoln Road that fill by noon on weekends
Bingham Falls (Stowe)
Bingham Falls is a narrow gorge and plunge pool off Route 108 (Mountain Road), about 6.4 miles from the Route 100 and 108 intersection in Stowe village. The 72-acre property was conserved in 2001 by Stowe Land Trust and is now part of Smugglers’ Notch State Park. The Vermont State Parks waterfall roundup calls it a popular swimming spot.
The catch is the approach. The quarter-mile trail is steep at the bottom and often wet, some sections run close to the gorge rim, and the land trust warns plainly that a fall into the gorge can be fatal. Swimming in the pool is customary; climbing the gorge walls and jumping from them is how people get hurt.
- Walk: about 0.25 mile down, moderate because of slick rock
- Rules: keep children well back from roped-off edges; stay on the trail
- Fees: none listed for the trail
- Parking: two small paved pull-offs, one on each side of Route 108
Hamilton Falls (Jamaica): wade, do not swim
Cobb Brook drops about 125 feet here, with one 40 to 50 foot plunge into a pool, and people have swum below it for generations. The state’s own page for the Hamilton Falls Natural Area states that more than twelve people have died at the site, most while trying to reach or leave the upper and middle pools.
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) calls swimming here very dangerous and not recommended, and asks visitors not to climb the rocks or attempt the middle pool. Wade at the base on a low-water day; hiking details are below.
Texas Falls (Hancock): look, do not swim
Texas Falls is off limits for swimming. The Forest Service site brochure is direct: “For your safety, swimming is not permitted.” See the photography section for the viewing bridge.
Swim rules and risks at Vermont waterfalls
These hazards apply at nearly all waterfalls in Vermont, and they never show up in summer photos.
- High water after rain. Vermont rivers rise fast after a storm, and the July 2023 floods showed how quickly a calm swimming hole becomes a torrent. If it rained hard in the last 24 to 48 hours, or the water looks brown and loud, skip the swim.
- Slick rock, not deep water, causes many injuries. At Hamilton Falls, the deaths came mostly from falls while climbing between pools. Wear shoes with real tread and keep three points of contact on any scramble.
- Cliff jumping. Depth changes as gravel and logs move. Check the landing zone every visit, and never jump into water you cannot see the bottom of.
- Cold water and no lifeguards. Mountain streams sap strength fast, no site here is staffed for rescue, and cell coverage drops in the notches.
- Respect closures. If a sign says no swimming, as at Texas Falls, it is there because of past accidents.
Simple rule for groups: if anyone has to ask “is it safe to jump?”, the answer for your group that day is no.
Waterfalls in Vermont for photography and fall color
Bring a camera instead of a towel. These short walks string together easily on a foliage drive.
Moss Glen Falls (Granville Gulf, Route 100)
Not the Stowe falls of the same name, this Moss Glen Falls drops about 80 feet beside Route 100 in the 1,171-acre Granville Gulf Reservation. Trail Finder puts the walk at about 0.2 mile round trip on a level gravel path to a viewing platform.
One 2026 caveat: the footbridge from the parking area to the viewing spot was damaged in the July 2023 flooding, and WCAX reported in October 2025 that FPR planned a redesigned bridge with a goal of opening it in summer 2026. Confirm its status, and never walk the Route 100 travel lanes to reach the falls.
- Walk: about 0.2 mile round trip, rated easy and accessible
- Fees: none
- Parking: a pull-off on Route 100, 2.7 miles north of Granville village, on the left heading north
- Photo tip: overcast days and a slow shutter speed smooth the water; the moss is greenest in late spring
Texas Falls (Hancock, Route 125)
Texas Falls tumbles through a twisting, water-polished gorge on Hancock Brook, and a bridge over the gorge gives the classic overhead view. From Route 100 in Hancock, head west on Route 125 for 3.1 miles and turn right on Forest Road 39 (Texas Falls Road). The falls observation parking is 0.5 mile up the road and the picnic area is at 0.7 mile.
The 1.2-mile Texas Falls Nature Trail loop (about 70 feet of climb) follows the brook through hardwoods. The picnic area has a pavilion with 10 tables, 13 more tables with grills, and two accessible vault toilets. There is no drinking water or trash service.
- Walk: a few minutes to the bridge, or the 1.2-mile loop
- Rules: no swimming; pack out all trash
- Fees: no day-use fee is listed; the pavilion is free first-come, first-served, and reservations go through Recreation.gov for a fee
- Parking: observation lot and picnic lot along Forest Road 39
Foliage timing in 2026
WCAX reported on September 29, 2026 that the season was rebounding sharply from the drought-damaged leaves of 2025, with vivid reds in the Mad River Valley and many northern and central Green Mountain areas expected to peak by early October. On October 17, the first snowflakes fell across parts of the state, and VTDigger photos showed a frosted summit on Mount Mansfield while the valleys still held color.
As of October 24, 2026, the high country is past peak and stick season is arriving, though low valleys in the south may hold late yellows for a few days. In a typical year the north and high elevations peak in late September to early October, and the south follows one to two weeks later.
Waterfalls in Vermont worth a real hike
These take an hour or more of walking. Pack water and sturdy shoes.
Lye Brook Falls (Manchester)
Lye Brook Falls is a long, sliding cascade inside the Lye Brook Wilderness of the Green Mountain National Forest. According to Trail Finder’s Lye Brook listing, the Lye Brook Trail enters the wilderness 0.5 mile from the trailhead, and a spur at the 2.3-mile mark leads south about 0.4 mile to the falls. Plan on roughly 5 to 5.5 miles round trip and 3 to 4 hours with a break. Expect rocky, muddy footing and black flies in late spring.
- Trailhead: from VT-7A in Manchester Center, follow VT-11 and VT-30 east 1.9 miles, turn right on East Manchester Road, go 1.2 miles, then left on Glen Road and straight to the trailhead lot
- Rules: wilderness area rules apply; pets permitted; hiking and snowshoeing only
- Fees: none
- Winter: the access road is not plowed, so the trail is effectively a summer and fall hike
The Forest Service has a project to move trailhead parking to a new 30 to 40 vehicle lot on Lye Brook Road; ask the Manchester Ranger Station, (802) 362-2307, which lot is in use.
Hamilton Falls (Jamaica State Park)
The intended approach is on foot from Jamaica State Park. State parks staff describe the route as about 2 miles on the West River Trail, a mild former railroad grade along the river, then 1.1 miles on the blue-blazed Hamilton Falls Trail, which climbs more steeply. Count on about 6 miles round trip.
Since a 2021 access change, FPR has restricted the tiny lot on West Windham Road beside the falls and sends visitors to the park. A 2024 draft master plan suggests access may change again.
- Rules: stay on marked trails, carry out trash, do not climb the rocks near the falls; swimming is very dangerous and not recommended
- Fees: Jamaica State Park day-use fees apply ($5 adults 14 and up, $2 children 4 to 13, free under 4)
- Season: the park runs from the third weekend in May through the second Monday in October, with hours of 10 a.m. to sunset
- Note: the West River Trail has had landslide issues; check conditions after heavy rain
Falls of Lana (Salisbury, Moosalamoo)
The Falls of Lana drops along Sucker Brook in the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area. The Forest Service trailhead sits on the right side of VT-53 just before the Branbury State Park entrance when you approach from Brandon. The climb is short but steep, and the trail continues to Silver Lake if you want a longer outing.
It makes a fine half day: hike the falls, then swim at Branbury’s 1,000-foot sandy beach on Lake Dunmore (state park fee in season). The falls are on Forest Service land, not in the park.
- Walk: short and steep to the falls; longer if you continue to Silver Lake
- Fees: no fee listed at the Forest Service trailhead; Branbury day-use fees apply in season
- Parking: the Forest Service lot on VT-53; it has been the subject of a reconstruction project to add 15 spaces
Thundering Falls (Killington)
Thundering Falls is the easy outlier: it sits on the Appalachian Trail near Gifford Woods State Park, with accessible parking on River Road in Killington, per the Vermont State Parks waterfall guide.
Waterfalls in Vermont you can see in winter
A few falls stay reachable after the gates close. Bring microspikes for everyone, since packed trails near spray freeze solid.
Moss Glen Falls (Stowe, C.C. Putnam State Forest)
The Stowe Moss Glen Falls cascades about 125 feet in total through a narrow cleft. From Stowe, go north on VT-100 for 3 miles, bear right on Randolph Road, then turn onto Moss Glen Falls Road. The parking area is on the right at a sharp bend about 0.5 mile from Randolph Road.
The Trail Finder listing notes a detail that matters in winter: the lot is plowed because it doubles as a bus turnaround. Snowshoeing is a listed use. Do not block the turnaround.
- Walk: 0.5 mile round trip
- Fees: none
- Winter: lot plowed; trail packed by snowshoers after storms
Quechee Gorge and the Dewey’s Mills dam falls (Hartford)
Quechee Gorge is not a natural waterfall, but water spills over the dam at the head of the gorge beside old mill ruins, and winter builds ice along the walls. The Route 4 bridge puts you about 165 feet above the Ottauquechee River, according to Vermont State Parks.
Trail Finder lists the gorge trail at about 1.5 miles out and back, starting at the Dewey’s Mills Pond boat landing, with the bottom of the gorge about half a mile past the Visitor Center connector. In winter, the listing says, parking is at the Quechee Gorge Visitor Center on Route 4. The state park season ends the second Monday in October.
What closes or gets harder in winter
- Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch closes each winter between the state forest parking area near Stowe Mountain Resort and Smugglers’ Notch Resort, usually from late October or November until May. Bingham Falls is on the Stowe side near the resort, so confirm that its pull-offs are open and plowed before you go.
- Texas Falls has a winter gate on Forest Road 39; the Forest Service plows the road for parking up to the gate, so plan on a longer walk in.
- Lye Brook Falls loses its access road to snow, since it is not plowed.
- Jamaica State Park ends its staffed season on the second Monday in October (October 12 in 2026), so check with FPR on off-season access before planning a Hamilton Falls hike.
Waterfalls in Vermont compared side by side
Distances are approximate walking distances.
| Waterfall | Town | Best for | Walk | Swimming | Winter access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Falls | Warren | Swimming, jumping | 0.1 mi one way | Customary | Limited |
| Bartlett (Bristol) Falls | Bristol | Swimming | Short scramble | Customary | Limited |
| Bingham Falls | Stowe | Swim, gorge views | 0.25 mi one way, steep | Customary, risky | Check pull-offs |
| Hamilton Falls | Jamaica | Big hike, views | About 3 mi one way | Not recommended | Check with FPR |
| Texas Falls | Hancock | Photos, picnics | Minutes to 1.2 mi loop | Prohibited | Walk from gate |
| Moss Glen (Granville) | Granville | Roadside photos | 0.2 mi round trip | No | Roadside |
| Lye Brook Falls | Manchester | Long hike | About 2.7 mi one way | Not advised | Road unplowed |
| Falls of Lana | Salisbury | Hike plus lake | Short, steep | Lake beach nearby | Gates closed |
| Moss Glen (Stowe) | Stowe | Winter ice, photos | 0.5 mi round trip | No | Lot plowed |
| Quechee Gorge | Hartford | Gorge views, winter | Up to 1.5 mi round trip | No | Visitor Center lot |
Fees, parking and who to call
Most Vermont waterfalls are free; staffed state parks charge day use in season. The Vermont State Parks fee schedule lists $5 for adults 14 and older, $2 for children 4 to 13, and free entry under age 4. Groups of 25 or more pay $3 per adult, and K-12 school groups during the school year pay $0.50 per person if they contact the park at least two weeks ahead.
On fees for the future: Vermont Public reported in May 2026 that FPR is seeking authority for demand-based pricing at campsites and day-use areas, but the state said it was not proposing increases for summer 2026. Any increase would need a 90-day public notice and comment period.
| Site | Managed by | Fee | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Falls | Green Mountain National Forest | None | Lot on west side of VT-100 |
| Texas Falls | Green Mountain National Forest | None for day use; pavilion reservations extra | Two lots on Forest Road 39 |
| Lye Brook Falls | Green Mountain National Forest | None | Glen Road trailhead lot |
| Falls of Lana | Green Mountain National Forest | None at trailhead | Lot on VT-53 |
| Hamilton Falls | Vermont FPR (Jamaica State Park) | State park day-use fee | Park at Jamaica State Park |
| Bingham Falls | Vermont FPR (Smugglers’ Notch State Park) | None listed | Two pull-offs on Route 108 |
| Moss Glen (Granville) | Vermont FPR | None | Route 100 pull-off |
| Moss Glen (Stowe) | Vermont FPR | None | Small lot, plowed |
| Quechee Gorge | Vermont FPR | State park fee in season | Visitor Center on Route 4 |
Taking a group to waterfalls in Vermont by bus
Vermont’s back roads and tiny trailhead lots decide what a group can do. Choose the vehicle around the roads.
Smugglers’ Notch is off limits to full-size coaches. Vermont law (23 V.S.A. § 1006b) bans single-frame vehicles over 40 feet and tractor-trailer combinations over 45 feet from the Smugglers’ Notch section of Route 108, with a $10,000 civil penalty that rises to $20,000 if the vehicle blocks traffic. That covers a standard 45-foot motorcoach. Smaller buses and RVs are strongly encouraged to use other routes because of the tight, boulder-lined turns. If your group wants Bingham Falls, approach from Stowe and turn around before the Notch, or send a small vehicle.
Know the small lots. Bingham Falls has two paved pull-offs. Moss Glen Falls in Stowe has a small lot that doubles as a bus turnaround, so a driver can turn there but should not park and block it. Warren and Bartlett Falls fill by late morning in summer, and roadside parking is ticketed, so plan a quick drop-off and a driver wait in town. Our guide to staging versus parking a charter bus explains how to set that up.
Watch weight limits. The bridge into Jamaica State Park carries an 8-ton weight limit, according to the park. A loaded coach weighs far more than that, so plan to unload outside the park and walk in, and confirm the drop-off spot with the park in advance.
Use the big lots as anchors. The Quechee Gorge Visitor Center lot on Route 4 is the most practical stop in this guide for a large group, with restrooms and short walks to the gorge. Texas Falls also works well for a picnic stop, with a pavilion that can be reserved.
Pick the right vehicle. For Stowe, the Mad River Valley and Granville Gulf, a minibus rental handles narrow roads and small pull-offs better than a coach. An 18-passenger minibus suits a hiking club, while a 30-passenger minibus fits a larger school or church group. If you are moving 50 or more people on main highways to Quechee or Manchester, a 55-passenger charter bus is the efficient choice. Not sure which? Read what size charter bus you need or weigh one coach against two minibuses, which often wins on Vermont back roads.
Plan breaks. Most trailheads lack restrooms, so build in stops in Stowe, Waitsfield, Middlebury or Manchester. Our tips on spacing out bathroom and snack breaks on a bus trip help.
When you have a route in mind, you can request a quote online and our team will check the vehicle against the roads you plan to use. For local service details, see our Vermont charter bus page.
More Vermont and New England trip ideas
Our list of hidden gems in Vermont covers quieter stops off the main routes, and the scenic drives in Vermont guide maps out Route 100 and the gaps. Leaf peepers should read about the best places in Vermont for fall foliage. For a base near Moss Glen and Bingham, see things to do in Stowe, or browse small towns in Vermont for overnight options. Heading south afterward? Try our roundup of hidden waterfalls in Massachusetts.
Waterfalls in Vermont: frequently asked questions
What are the best waterfalls in Vermont for swimming?
Warren Falls on the Mad River and Bartlett Falls (Bristol Falls) on the New Haven River are the classic swimming spots, and Bingham Falls near Stowe is also popular. Swimming at Hamilton Falls is officially not recommended, and swimming at Texas Falls is prohibited.
Is swimming allowed at Hamilton Falls?
The state calls swimming at Hamilton Falls very dangerous and not recommended. More than twelve people have died there, mostly while trying to reach or leave the upper and middle pools. Wade at the base on a low-water day and do not climb the rocks.
Can you swim at Texas Falls in Vermont?
No. The Green Mountain National Forest does not permit swimming at Texas Falls for safety reasons. You can view the falls from the bridge, walk the 1.2-mile nature trail and use the picnic area.
How long is the hike to Lye Brook Falls?
The Lye Brook Trail reaches a spur at about 2.3 miles, and the spur runs about 0.4 mile to the falls. Plan on roughly 5 to 5.5 miles round trip and 3 to 4 hours. There is no fee, and the access road is not plowed in winter.
Do you have to pay to see waterfalls in Vermont?
Most falls are free, including Warren Falls, Texas Falls, Lye Brook Falls and both Moss Glen Falls. Sites inside staffed state parks, such as Hamilton Falls at Jamaica State Park, charge the day-use fee in season: $5 for adults, $2 for children 4 to 13, and free under 4.
Which Vermont waterfalls can you visit in winter?
Moss Glen Falls in Stowe is the easiest, since its small lot is plowed. Quechee Gorge is also good, with winter parking at the Quechee Gorge Visitor Center on Route 4. Texas Falls is reachable on foot from a winter gate. Bring microspikes for icy trails.
Can a charter bus drive through Smugglers’ Notch to Bingham Falls?
No full-size coach should try. Vermont law bans single-frame vehicles over 40 feet from the Smugglers’ Notch section of Route 108, with a $10,000 penalty, and the road closes in winter. Approach Bingham Falls from Stowe or use a smaller vehicle.
When is the best time to see Vermont waterfalls?
Late spring brings the highest flow from snowmelt. Summer is best for swimming holes, and late September to mid October brings foliage around the falls. In 2026, color peaked in the north and high country in early October, and the state was entering stick season by late October.
Plan your waterfall day
Vermont’s falls reward a little planning: check the water level, know the rules for each site, and choose a vehicle that fits the roads. If you want a driver who already knows which pull-offs can fit a bus, get in touch with BusXoXo or call (308) 304-6668, and we will help you shape a route that spends more time at the water and less time looking for parking.