Waterfalls and Swimming Holes
If you’ve been to Vermont, you know how naturally beautiful the state is. In addition to having grand mountains and luscious forests, the state is home to numerous breathtaking waterfalls and swimming holes.
Buttermilk Falls (50 miles)
Located in the Okemo State Forest in Ludlow (approximately 50 miles from our property), Buttermilk Falls is one of the top waterfalls in Vermont you must visit. You hike less than a mile to get to this natural beauty surrounded by forestry. Three cascades make up the falls, and there’s a beautiful swimming pool that lies below the lower and upper falls. The lower falls flow into a deep 25-foot-wide pool of water you and your friends can swim in.
There are rocky ledges along the falls you can sit on to admire the view from. The swimming pools can get crowded during the summer months, but if you’re okay with sharing the water you can find room for a swim.
Address to enter into navigation:
Buttermilk Falls, Ludlow, VT
Pikes Falls (18 miles)
Children probably enjoy Pikes Falls more so than any other age group. During hot, summer days, they can be seen sliding down a 10-foot long rock slide into a pool at Pikes Falls. The looks of pure pleasure on their faces confirm their true love for this place. The pool, about 40 feet wide, 25 feet long, and up to 10 feet deep, with its with clear, olive-green tinted water, is complimented with a large rocky beach running along its edges. With such a large pool and a suitable beach for relaxing or eating a snack, one could imagine that Pikes Falls would be crowded. However, that is not usually the case; it will have a few friendly swimmers on a hot day, but is not often jam-packed.
Address to enter into navigation:
Pike Falls, Jamaica, VT
Hamilton Falls (26 miles)
A short distance northeast of Jamaica State Park is the final mile of Cobb Brook, a water source renowned for one of Vermont's tallest waterfalls, 125-foot Hamilton Falls. The waters of the brook literally slice their way sideways through deeply cut gorge walls before landing in popular wading pools at the base of the formation. At the top of the falls is a deep pothole, rock ledges, and an emergency ladder in the event that someone slips and falls into the pothole. For your own safety, swimming is prohibited at the top of the falls.
An out and back trail will take you straight to this water wonder. While the falls may be the big payoff at the end of your adventure, remember getting there is half the fun.
You'll follow the West River Trail for 2 miles and then turn off onto the Hamilton Falls trail for the last mile of your trek. The first section of your journey is an easy stroll along wide flat terrain. The trail meanders along the tree-lined bed of the former West River Railroad.
After two miles, take the blue-blazed Hamilton Falls Trail. The route used to be a wagon and truck road utilized to carry cargo down to the railroad. This part of your adventure will take a little more effort than the first with an uphill climb, but it's worth it!
When you arrive at the base of the falls, you'll be enchanted by the cascading waterfall that tumbles over three tiers. The impressive 125-foot drop creates a magical display.
The natural rock formations are almost otherworldly in their shape. The base of the falls is magnificent but you'll also want to take the short 1/10 mile trail to the top to check out the view.
Address:
48 Salmon Hole La., Jamaica, VT
