Vermont Swimming Holes — 45+ Gorge Creeks & Cold River Pools

45 natural swimming destinations in Vermont.

Vermont has 45 swimming holes in our directory, including 19 river, 7 creek, 4 waterfall, 7 lake, 2 quarry. Those counts come from our live U.S. swimming holes dataset. Use GPS distance sorting or city nearby lists when you already know your starting point.

Vermont swimming holes (also searched as swimming holes in VT) are cold, scenic, and seasonal — Green Mountain gorges, brook pools, and a few reservoir shorelines. Water stays chilly even in July; after storms, current and turbidity spike fast.

Adams Hole near St. Johnsbury, gorge classics around Cavendish and Falls of Lana, and Ompompanoosuc River pools see strong interest. Read the full editorial guide: swimming holes in Vermont.

Use Burlington, Brattleboro, St. Johnsbury, Wilmington, and Manchester nearby lists — or sort by GPS on swimming holes near me.

Near major cities: Bennington · Brattleboro · Burlington · Manchester · Middlebury · Montpelier · Rutland · St. Johnsbury · Stowe · Wilmington · Woodstock

By water type: River (19) · Creek (7) · Waterfall (4) · Lake (7) · Quarry (2) · Other (6)

Guides: Hidden gems (19) · Family friendly (5)

Popular regions: Lamoille River Valley swimming holes

Guides: Vermont swimming holes guide · Swimming holes near Burlington · Swimming holes near St. Johnsbury · Swimming holes near Wilmington

Popular swimming holes in Vermont

Most-searched spots — open each listing for directions, fees, and safety notes.

Cavendish Gorge — river swimming hole near Cavendish, VT

RiverVT

Cavendish Gorge

Carved over millennia by the Black River, this dramatic gorge cuts through ancient rock with a quiet authority, offering one of the most visually striking natural .

FreeCavendish

Falls Of Lana — brook swimming hole near Middlebury, VT

BrookVT

Falls Of Lana

Fed by the cold, clear waters of Sucker Brook, this unofficial . There are no signs directing you to a snack bar, no lifeguard whistles, no manicured lawns.

FreeMiddlebury

Ompompanoosuc River Swimming Spots In Vermont — river swimming hole near White River Junction, VT

RiverVT

Ompompanoosuc River Swimming Spots In Vermont

A name as lyrical and untamed as the landscape it carves through. Winds quietly through the hills of eastern Vermont, passing through small villages and dense forest before emptying into the Connecticut River.

FreeWhite River Junction

Adams Hole — brook swimming hole near St. Johnsbury, VT

BrookVT

Adams Hole

There are no signs pointing the way, no entry gates, and no snack bars. Just the brook, the trees, and the sound of water moving over stone.

FreeSt. Johnsbury

Vermont swimming holes FAQ

Where are the best swimming holes in Vermont?

Popular searches include Adams Hole, Cavendish Gorge, Falls of Lana, Ompompanoosuc River pools, and southern VT ledge spots near Wilmington. Choose by region — Northeast Kingdom, southern VT, and Burlington day trips differ.

Where are swimming holes in VT near Stowe?

Stowe-area searches often mean Mad River / Waterbury / Green Mountain day trips rather than a single village beach. Use nearby metro lists and confirm access — many gorge holes have limited parking.

How cold is Vermont swimming hole water?

Expect cold mountain water even on hot days. Limit swim time, watch for hypothermia signs, and never jump without checking depth the same day.

How do I find swimming holes near me in Vermont?

Open Burlington, Brattleboro, St. Johnsbury, Wilmington, or Manchester nearby pages, or use GPS near-me sorting. Confirm access and Leave No Trace etiquette on each listing.

All 45 listings

3 Places — natural swimming hole near Bennington, VT

Varies See DescriptionVT

3 Places

The Batten Kill River corridor and the Green Mountain backcountry set the scene: think moss-covered banks, the sound of moving water filtering through stands of birch and maple, and skies that seem somehow bluer once you're surrounded by all that green.

FreeBennington

Adams Hole — brook swimming hole near St. Johnsbury, VT

BrookVT

Adams Hole

There are no signs pointing the way, no entry gates, and no snack bars. Just the brook, the trees, and the sound of water moving over stone.

FreeSt. Johnsbury

Arlington Area — natural swimming hole near VT, VT

VT

Arlington Area

The landscape here is quintessentially New England. Weathered farmhouses punctuating open meadows, forested ridgelines catching the morning mist, and clear mountain streams threading through valley floors.

Fee variesVermont

Benson's Hole — brook swimming hole near Manchester, VT

BrookVT

Benson's Hole

Unofficial and unimproved, this natural gem rewards those willing to navigate tricky backroads and arrive self-sufficient. No signage, no parking lot, no concession stand.

FreeManchester

Bolton Potholes — falls swimming hole near Burlington, VT

FallsVT

Bolton Potholes

Bolton Potholes on Joiner Brook near Bolton, Vermont are free cascading granite pools popular with Burlington and Waterbury day-trippers. Cold mountain water and rock jumping — scout every landing.

Fee requiredBurlington

Bristol Falls & Circle Current — falls, pools swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

Falls, PoolsVT

Bristol Falls & Circle Current

Bristol Falls & Circle Current near Montpelier, Vermont is a falls swimming spot on New Haven River. What people come for: Natural rock slides; Swirling currents at Circle Current. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in June to September. Always check water depth before jumping.

FreeMontpelier

Brockways Mills Gorge — river swimming hole near Brattleboro, VT

RiverVT

Brockways Mills Gorge

Brockways Mills Gorge is a river swimming spot on Williams River near Brattleboro, Vermont. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters; Dramatic rock formations. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in June to August. Water conditions can change rapidly.

FreeBrattleboro

Burlington Area — natural swimming hole near VT, VT

VT

Burlington Area

Burlington Area is a natural swimming spot in Vermont. What people come for: Crystal-clear mountain-fed waters; Varied depths for all swimming levels. You will find restrooms and parking. Best visited in spring. Lake Champlain water temperatures remain cold for much of the year.

Fee variesVermont

Buttermilk Falls — falls swimming hole near Rutland, VT

FallsVT

Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls near Rutland, Vermont is a falls swimming spot on Branch Brook. What people come for: Exciting swimming and jumping activities; Picturesque cascades and lush surroundings. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in Summer. Always check water depth before jumping.

FreeRutland

Cavendish Gorge — river swimming hole near Cavendish, VT

RiverVT

Cavendish Gorge

Carved over millennia by the Black River, this dramatic gorge cuts through ancient rock with a quiet authority, offering one of the most visually striking natural .

FreeCavendish

Congdon's Point — lake swimming hole near Rutland, VT

LakeVT

Congdon's Point

This is not a beach with a parking lot and a snack bar. It's the kind of place you find by following a wooded trail, navigating around boulders, and suddenly arriving somewhere that feels entirely your own.

Fee variesRutland

Clarendon Gorge Swimming Spots, Vermont — river swimming hole near Rutland, VT

RiverVT

Clarendon Gorge Swimming Spots, Vermont

Clarendon Gorge Swimming Spots, Vermont lies in Vermont, where Mill River moves through a wooded corridor. The Mill River has spent millennia carving its way through the bedrock here, leaving behind a dramatic channel of sculpted stone, deep cold pools, and sheer rock faces that seem almost too.

FreeRutland

Dog River — river swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

RiverVT

Dog River

There are no crowds, no entrance booths, and no manicured facilities. Just cold, clear Vermont river water and the steady sound of current moving over stone.

FreeMontpelier

Dorset Quarry — quarry swimming hole near Jamaica, VT

QuarryVT

Dorset Quarry

It's the oldest marble quarry in the United States, carved out of the earth centuries ago and now filled with water so clear and still that the white marble walls shimmer beneath the surface like something out of a dream.

FreeJamaica

Dummerston Region Swimming Holes — river swimming hole near Brattleboro, VT

RiverVT

Dummerston Region Swimming Holes

Scattered along the banks of the West River and Rock River in Southern Vermont, the Dummerston Region . These are unofficial, unhurried spots where the water runs cold and clear, the forest leans close overhead, and the only agenda is the afternoon itself.

FreeBrattleboro

East Middlebury Gorge — river swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

RiverVT

East Middlebury Gorge

East Middlebury Gorge is a clear Middlebury River swimming hole in Vermont with rock ledges and cold mountain water near Middlebury and East Middlebury. Free informal access — check depth before any jump.

FreeMontpelier

Falls Of Lana — brook swimming hole near Middlebury, VT

BrookVT

Falls Of Lana

Fed by the cold, clear waters of Sucker Brook, this unofficial . There are no signs directing you to a snack bar, no lifeguard whistles, no manicured lawns.

FreeMiddlebury

Floating Bridge — lake swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

LakeVT

Floating Bridge

Floating Bridge lies in Vermont, where Sunset Lake moves through a wooded corridor. The Floating Bridge on Sunset Lake in Brookfield, Vermont is unmistakably the latter.

FreeMontpelier

Four Corners — brook swimming hole near Lowell, VT

BrookVT

Four Corners

Situated where the towns of Lowell, Troy, and Jay converge, this beloved unofficial gathering place sits along Bugbee Brook, a clear, cold tributary of the Missisquoi River.

FreeLowell

Felchville Vermont Swimming Holes — river pools swimming hole near Woodstock, VT

River poolsVT

Felchville Vermont Swimming Holes

Felchville Vermont Swimming Holes lies in Vermont, where North Branch Black River moves through a wooded corridor. These are places you stumble upon and remember for years.

FreeWoodstock

Glen Lake — lake swimming hole near Rutland, VT

LakeVT

Glen Lake

This is not a developed beach with snack bars and crowds. It's the kind of place you discover, return to, and tell only your closest friends about.

Fee variesRutland

Hapgood Pond — pond swimming hole near Rutland, VT

PondVT

Hapgood Pond

Fed by glacial history and framed by dense, cathedral-like stands of northern hardwoods and conifers, this clear-water pond offers the kind of .

Fee variesRutland

Jamaica Vermont Swimming Holes — river swimming hole near Brattleboro, VT

RiverVT

Jamaica Vermont Swimming Holes

Jamaica Vermont Swimming Holes lies in Vermont, where Varies moves through a wooded corridor. Salmon Hole at Jamaica State Park and Pikes Falls.

Fee variesBrattleboro

Kents Corner Area — river, pond swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

River, PondVT

Kents Corner Area

Dirt roads wind past old stone walls, weathered barns, and stands of birch and maple. And the sound of moving water seems to follow you everywhere.

Fee variesMontpelier

Lamoille River Valley Swimming Holes — river swimming hole near Stowe, VT

RiverVT

Lamoille River Valley Swimming Holes

Lamoille River Valley Swimming Holes near Stowe, Vermont is a river swimming spot on Lamoille River. What people come for: Jeff Falls' 7-foot waterfall; Secluded pools at Brewster River Gorge. You will find parking. Best visited in June to August. Always enter feet-first.

Fee variesStowe

Mad River Area — river swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

RiverVT

Mad River Area

Mad River Area near Montpelier, Vermont is a river swimming spot on Mad River, Lincoln Brook. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters; Natural rock slides. Access is free, and you will find restrooms and camping. Best visited in Summer. Assess water conditions upon arrival.

FreeMontpelier

Marble Street Quarry — quarry swimming hole near Rutland, VT

QuarryVT

Marble Street Quarry

Marble Street Quarry near Vermont is a flooded quarry swimming hole with clear deep water. Access rules vary — confirm it is open to the public before entering; never trespass.

Fee variesRutland

Middlebury Area — natural swimming hole near VT, VT

VT

Middlebury Area

Nestled in the heart of Vermont's Addison County, the Middlebury area is one of New England's most rewarding destinations for natural swimming.

Fee variesVermont

Middlebury And Burlington Vt Swimming Holes — various swimming hole near Middlebury, VT

VariousVT

Middlebury And Burlington Vt Swimming Holes

Middlebury and Burlington-area Vermont swimming holes include Dog Team Falls and other clear creek pools within day-trip range of Lake Champlain towns. Free informal access — cold mountain water.

FreeMiddlebury

Montgomery Center Vermont Swimming Holes — falls swimming hole near Stowe, VT

FallsVT

Montgomery Center Vermont Swimming Holes

Montgomery Center, Vermont has several waterfall and creek swimming holes in the northern Green Mountains near Lowell and Stowe day-trip range. Cold clear water, short hikes, and no facilities at most pools.

FreeStowe

Osgood Brook Culvert — brook swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

BrookVT

Osgood Brook Culvert

This is not a developed recreation area with signage, parking lots, or crowds. It's a simple, roadside pause along Osgood Brook, where the water gathers into a small, inviting pool beside a rustic culvert, framed by the unhurried rhythms of central Vermont's countryside.

FreeMontpelier

Ompompanoosuc River Swimming Spots In Vermont — river swimming hole near White River Junction, VT

RiverVT

Ompompanoosuc River Swimming Spots In Vermont

A name as lyrical and untamed as the landscape it carves through. Winds quietly through the hills of eastern Vermont, passing through small villages and dense forest before emptying into the Connecticut River.

FreeWhite River Junction

Poultney River Swimming Holes — river swimming hole near Rutland, VT

RiverVT

Poultney River Swimming Holes

Poultney River Swimming Holes lies in Vermont. Accessible from pull-outs along Route 140 east of East Poultney, these unofficial .

FreeRutland

Quechee Gorge — river swimming hole near White River, VT

RiverVT

Quechee Gorge

QUECHEE GORGE is a river destination on Ottauquechee River in VT near White River, Woodstock, Quechee. Fee note: None. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.

Fee variesWhite River

Rochester — river swimming hole near Rutland, VT

RiverVT

Rochester

Rochester is a river swimming spot on Branch of White River near Rutland, Vermont. What people come for: Cool, clear water ideal for swimming and tubing; Accessible location near Rochester, VT. Best visited in September-October. Always scout the river current and depth before entering.

Fee variesRutland

Red Rocks Park Swimming Area, Burlington Vt — lake swimming hole near Burlington, VT

LakeVT

Red Rocks Park Swimming Area, Burlington Vt

Perched on the southeastern shore of Lake Champlain, Red Rocks Park is one of Burlington's most beloved natural escapes. A place where ancient geology, clear freshwater, and a laid-back Vermont spirit converge.

Fee variesBurlington

Stockbridge Vermont River Swimming Holes — river swimming hole near Rutland, VT

RiverVT

Stockbridge Vermont River Swimming Holes

Stockbridge Vermont River Swimming Holes near Rutland, Vermont is a river swimming spot on White River, Tweed River. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters of White and Tweed Rivers; Natural rock slides for adventurous fun. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in spring. Always check water conditions and depth before entering.

FreeRutland

Stowe Vermont Swimming Holes — varies swimming hole near Montpelier, VT

VariesVT

Stowe Vermont Swimming Holes

Spread across the river corridors and forested ravines surrounding Stowe, Morrisville, and Montpelier, these spots draw swimmers, hikers, and photographers into cold, clear water framed by moss-covered ledges, dramatic cascades, and canopies of maple and birch.

Fee variesMontpelier

The Cornfield — river swimming hole near Brattleboro, VT

RiverVT

The Cornfield

The Cornfield lies in Vermont, where West River moves through a wooded corridor. There are no signs announcing its presence, no entry gates, no snack bars.

FreeBrattleboro

The Ledges — reservoir swimming hole near Brattleboro, VT

ReservoirVT

The Ledges

The Ledges on Harriman Reservoir near Wilmington, Vermont is a rock-slab shoreline swim known as one of New England’s established clothing-optional beaches. Free informal access — pack out trash and respect other users.

FreeBrattleboro

The Mill — brook flowing through a breached dam swimming hole near Putnamville, VT

Brook flowing through a breached damVT

The Mill

Set along the clear, cold waters of Minister Brook near Worcester, this unofficial . A remnant of an earlier era that nature has spent decades reclaiming and reshaping.

FreePutnamville

The Power Station — creek swimming hole near Rutland, VT

CreekVT

The Power Station

Its name tells the story: this informal . There are no signs pointing you here, no lifeguards on duty, and no manicured amenities.

Fee variesRutland

Timber Crib Dam — river swimming hole near Brattleboro, VT

RiverVT

Timber Crib Dam

This unofficial, undeveloped spot sits between the towns of Brattleboro and Guilford, offering a genuinely rustic river experience far removed from manicured beaches and crowded pools.

FreeBrattleboro

Tolles Hill Dam — dam/ river swimming hole near Ludlow, VT

Dam/ RiverVT

Tolles Hill Dam

Tolles Hill Dam is a dam swimming spot on Black River near Ludlow, Vermont. What people come for: Cool and refreshing Black River waters; Scenic forested surroundings. Best visited in Summer. Exercise extreme caution around the dam structure.

Fee variesLudlow

White River — river swimming hole near West Hartford, VT

RiverVT

White River

It's unofficial, unpolished, and entirely genuine. A place where locals have been cooling off for generations and visitors quickly understand why.

FreeWest Hartford