When the summer heat settles into the Green Mountains, every Vermonter has a favorite way to cool off. Some are classic, sprawling spaces like the sandy beaches of the Waterbury Reservoir. Others are dramatic rock formations like the potholes above Bolton, and a few are quiet, shaded basins hidden just far enough into the woods that you’ll only find them if a local points the way.
Staying with us at our Vermont bed and breakfast puts you right at the center of the region’s best swimming. Dozens of mountain brooks and hidden cascades flow right through our surrounding valleys, most of them less than a half-hour drive from our front porch.
Grab a towel, pack a dry change of clothes, and use this guide to find the perfect swimming spot for your afternoon, from state park beaches to some of our favorite swimming holes in Vermont.
The Perfect Afternoon Basecamp: Waterbury Reservoir
If you are looking for an easy, classic beach day where you can lay out a blanket and watch the clouds pass over Mount Mansfield, Waterbury Reservoir is the closest and most convenient option.
Waterbury Center State Park
177 Reservoir Road, Waterbury Center
Just a ten-minute drive up the road from the inn, Waterbury Center State Park is the day-use side of the reservoir, which sits on a gorgeous 90-acre peninsula stretching into the water. There’s a long sandy swimming beach with a designated swim area, 17 picnic sites with charcoal grills, a universally accessible nature trail, and a beach wheelchair available on request. You can rent canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards on site through Umiak Outfitters, or launch your own from the trailer ramp
The park is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Please note that because this is a protected wildlife and recreation area, pets aren’t permitted.
A Short Drive to Vermont’s Best Swimming Holes
These are the spots that turn a hot afternoon into a small adventure.
A Quick Safety Note: Vermont’s rivers and swimming holes can change dramatically after rainstorms. Always check local conditions, avoid fast-moving water, and remember that even popular swimming spots can become dangerous when water levels are high.
Bolton Potholes
Bolton Valley Access Road, Bolton
About 15 minutes west of Waterbury, Bolton Potholes is one of Vermont’s most famous swimming holes. Joiner Brook tumbles through a series of dramatic rock formations, creating waterfalls, smooth stone chutes, and deep pools carved into the bedrock over thousands of years. The scenery is undeniably beautiful, but this is a place where caution should always come before adventure.
The Vermont River Conservancy warns that at least seven people have lost their lives here, all in the upper “Eagle’s Eye” pothole, where powerful currents can aerate the water and make floating impossible, even for strong swimmers. Never enter the water if it appears foamy, frothy, or fast-moving, and avoid the area entirely after heavy rain.
Before visiting, be aware that parking restrictions are strictly enforced. There is currently no legal parking directly at the site, parking is not permitted at Smilie Memorial School, and roadside parking along Route 2 and portions of Bolton Valley Access Road is prohibited. Visitors should review current access information before making the trip.
Dog River “Jacuzzi” Natural Area
2095 VT-12, Northfield
A twenty-five-minute drive south of the inn brings you to a spot that lives up to its playful name. Here, the Dog River drops over a four-foot bedrock shelf into a deep pool, creating a natural swirling current that mimics a hot tub. You can park at the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department lot under the Dog River Park sign and walk down the bank right behind the station. There is a lovely natural amphitheater above the water with a picnic table, making it an excellent spot to enjoy a packed lunch while listening to the river rush past.
Hancock Brook Swimming Hole
Hancock Brook Road, Worcester
This one is for the swimming hole purist. Head north on Route 12 into Worcester, turn onto Hancock Brook Road, and park along the shoulder about a half-mile in. A short, steep footpath leads you down the bank to a series of quiet, heavily shaded basins. Our favorite is the “Upper Pot,” where a small waterfall pours over smooth stone into a crisp, cool pool. It requires some sure footing to get down, but on a scorching July afternoon, the deep shade here is absolute heaven.
This spot is on the way back from the Worcester Mountain trailhead, making it the ultimate reward after a long, sweaty morning hike.
North Branch Cascades Trail
Route 12, between Worcester and Lake Elmore
The North Branch Cascades Trail is the most family-friendly place on this list. A one-mile wooded trail follows the North Branch of the Winooski through a mossy hemlock and red spruce forest, with seven waterfalls and a dozen stone stairways leading down to deep wading pools along the way.
Note: Please use the southern or middle parking lots, as the northern lot is undergoing maintenance.
Terrill Gorge
Stagecoach Road, Morristown
Terrill Gorge is one of the prettiest gorges in central Vermont. Rapids, water-smoothed potholes, and several deep swimming areas line Kenfield Brook as it winds through a hemlock and birch forest. From the parking turnout on Stagecoach Road, it is a half-mile walk down a wooded trail to the water. The cliffs and rocks can be slippery, so use caution near the edges.
Stop at North Country Donuts for a sweet treat on the way up, and a pretzel and pint at Rock Art Brewery in Morrisville on the way back.
A Day Trip to the Lamoille Valley
If you want to turn your swim into a full-day road trip, head northwest past Stowe into the historic town of Johnson. It takes about forty-five minutes to get there, but the valley holds two iconic swimming spots that are well worth the drive.
Beard Recreation Park
School Street, Johnson
Right in the village of Johnson, this is the ultimate family pick. Located on the Gihon River right next to a 150-year-old covered bridge, it offers a wide, swimming-pool-sized basin with a very gradual sand and gravel entry. Kids can splash safely, and there’s plenty of open, rocky shoreline to sit back and soak up the sun. There is a parking lot on site, the 150-year-old Power House Covered Bridge is right next door, and the upper fields have flat trails for a stroll before or after a swim.
Journey’s End Swimming Hole
Plot Road, Johnson
Up in the hills above Johnson Village, Journey’s End is the moodier counterpart to Beard with a half-mile stretch of forested stream along Foote Brook, with a waterfall and a deeper pool tucked beneath a canopy of mature hardwoods. Pick up fresh salads and sandwiches from Maple Hill Barn on your way in for the perfect picnic spread. Just check their Facebook page for their weekly hours.
What to Pack Before Exploring Vermont’s Swimming Holes
Before you head out from our front porch, a few quick tips will ensure your afternoon goes smoothly:
Pack water shoes (the rocks at every spot on this list are slippery), a towel, a dry change of clothes, and plenty of drinking water. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent at most of these locations, so plan your route ahead and let someone know where you are going.
For picnic supplies on your way out of Waterbury, Cabot Creamery has world-class Vermont cheese and crackers for a beachside picnic board. Just down the road from us, Black Cap Coffee and Bakery offers made-to-order sandwiches and breakfast burritos, but they also have a Grab & Go cold case if you’re in a hurry. Don’t forget to swing by Bridgeside Books for a new riverside read, and you’re set for the day.
Where to Stay
After an afternoon spent splashing in mountain streams and sunbathing on river rocks, there is nothing quite like coming back to the Old Stagecoach Inn. Our shaded front porch is the perfect spot to enjoy a drink from the Library Pub, catch a cool evening breeze, and swap stories with other travelers about the hidden spots you discovered.
We would love to help you plan the perfect Vermont summer getaway. Check availability today, and as always, we are happy to share more of our favorite local trails, restaurants, and seasonal stops when you arrive!