Regional & State Guides

New England Swimming Holes: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine & Massachusetts

New England swimming holes are cold northern creek and river pools — short season, busy summer weekends, and strong state-by-state inventories.

Region
VT · NH · ME · MA
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State + metro guides below

New England swimming is best planned by state:

Cold water, early parking, wait after storms.

Top picks for this trip

Spots from our directory

Lincoln Region Swimming Holes — varies (see below) swimming hole near Lincoln, NH
Varies (see below) NH

Lincoln Region Swimming Holes

Lincoln Region Swimming Holes is a Varies (See Below) swimming destination near Lincoln in New Hampshire. The setting stays informal and low-key.

Free Lincoln
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Mad River Area — river swimming hole near Montpelier, VT
River VT

Mad River Area

Mad River Area sits in Vermont. Swimmers come for a natural day on the water without resort amenities.

Free Montpelier
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Frequently asked questions

Where are the best swimming holes in New England?

Vermont, New Hampshire White Mountains, Maine rivers, and Massachusetts Berkshires/fall corridors are the strongest documented clusters. Use each state guide for mapped listings.

Safety notice: Natural swimming conditions change with weather, season, and water quality. Verify current conditions with local land managers before you go. Swim at your own risk — there are rarely lifeguards at these sites.

Last updated: 2026-07-18. Written by Secret Swimming Holes Editorial. See our editorial policy for how we research and update guides.