Waterfalls as the treat at the end of a hike I think will entice any child, especially if you can swim in the pool at the base of the falls. This is how I can get my kids to hike with me most of the time. However, when I find the waterfalls along the roadside the kids are all too happy to get out and explore. This kind of fun the kids are always up for.
We explored 7 waterfalls in Vermont that are lots of fun to hike to, swim in, and explore. We used our GPS to find all of them. Come explore these Vermont waterfalls with us.
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Roadside Waterfalls
All these waterfalls are easy to get to so they are perfect for little kids. However, I find everyone loves to stop for a photo with these falls if not swim in the pools. If you’ve forgotten your swimsuit, sit on a rock, and dip your toes to cool off. I do like to bring a small towel to dry my feet off before walking back to the car. I’m not a fan of using my socks to dry my feet. I don’t recommend wearing flip-flops on any walk or hike into the woods. I find there is nothing worse after enjoying the waterfall than to end up back at your car with muddy, dirty feet.
Safety Tip: Always be extra careful when entering any river. Be aware of the current and any slippery rocks. It’s best to test the water yourself before allowing any small child to enter a river or pool at the base of a waterfall.
Buttermilk Waterfalls in Ludlow
Buttermilk falls are located in Ludlow, close to the junction of Rt 100 and Rt 103, off Buttermilk Falls Rd. If you ski Okemo resort these waterfalls are only 5 mins up the road. Although you do need to walk down an embankment for the upper falls the lower falls have a nice and easy path. The lower falls area has a few small drops of water and some nice quiet areas along the river to put your feet in.
We had some fun relaxing by these lower falls and checking out the little tides pools on the edge of the river. This was a very clean area and people were respectful of nature. The water was cool but not too cold to get into.
There were several cars parked along the roadside but overall the waterfalls weren’t that busy. The upper falls, if you walk down straight from the road do come down a steeper embankment. Be careful.
The upper falls have a really nice pool at the base and although we didn’t jump off the rocks into it, others did. Above the upper falls the river is beautiful. The river curved around and had many rocks in it to explore. We didn’t hike up the river but were able to get a few pictures.
Moss Glen Waterfalls in Granville
The Moss Glen Falls in Granville is right on Rt 100 with a small parking area. The falls are about a 25-minute drive south of Mad River Glen ski resort. There are actually two waterfalls here. Once you walk onto the wooden bridge there is one set of falls to the right that is very steep and comes cascading down the rock face.
The other set of falls is the main falls with a big dramatic drop into a picturesque pool of water. As you approach the viewing area you can walk on the stones to the right of the handrail to get to the sandy area at the pool’s edge. However, try taking your ‘selfie’ from both locations. I found that standing on the platform I had more light for the photo.
Since this waterfall was right on Rt 100 I did not go swimming and I wouldn’t really advise it. But this is a really nice place to stop and stretch your legs for 15 mins or so before continuing on with your trip.
Bartlett’s Waterfalls in Bristol
Bartlett’s Falls is within the New Haven River. The falls are along Lincoln Rd right off Rt 116 in Bristol. There is a small circular parking area close to Rt 116 but most people parked on Lincoln Rd along the river.
There are several dumps that make up the falls along the river. Again there are some good places to enter the river and some areas I would stay away from. However, there were several people relaxing by the river’s edge enjoying the water.
If you want to be at the top of the falls drive farther away from Rt 116. The closer you are to Rt 116 the calmer the river. If you have smaller children I would certainly recommend staying closer to the bridge on Rt 116. There is an entrance to the river within the trees in the circular parking area.
If you venture to the river farther up the road toward the large waterfall be sure to wear sneakers. There are big rocks to maneuver to get to the river. There are also plenty of rocks to sunbathe on.
Check out some more kids friendly hikes in Vermont on the Travel Vermont website.
Bolton Potholes
It’s probably best to go to the Bolton Potholes on the weekend when you can park in the school parking lot off Rt 2. These potholes are along Bolton Valley Access Rd. just up from Rt 2. However, there is the smallest of parking lots on the access road.
If you walk up the access road, past the house there is a gravel path with signs warning you to be careful in the river. Please note the area of the map that shows private property along the river. Please respect the owner’s rights and stay away from their house.
Safety Tip: Look at the area of the map that says “don’t swim here”
About 30 feet up the path on the right is a stone staircase going down to the bottom of the river which is perfect for little kids to wade around in and swim.
If you continue to walk up the gravel path you will come to the top of the potholes with lots of rocks to climb on to and get to Joiner Brook and the potholes. There are some really great falls here and a few places kids love to jump off the rocks into one of the pools. If you attempt this you should definitely need to know how to swim.
Waterfall Hikes
None of these waterfalls are difficult hikes at all. In fact, they are very kid-friendly hikes. However, I am going to encourage you to make sure everyone is again wearing sneaking or hiking shoes. I also suggest that you bring plenty of water and a snack to enjoy while viewing the waterfalls. And always take time to enjoy the wildflowers.
Bingham Waterfalls in Stowe
Bingham Falls is off Rt 108 which is off Rt 100 in Stowe. This is a 1/2 mile hike to the waterfall. There is a well-made trail all the way from the parking lot. There is fencing at certain places along the river to protect the vegetation as well as people.
Once you arrive at the river, because of the fencing you need to decide to go right or left. Right brings you downstream to the bottom of the falls and left upstream. We went upstream when we first arrived at the river to see if there are any smaller falls and there are. There is also some really beautiful scenery to explore upstream.
The sight of these falls is pretty special. I really enjoyed how these falls carved their way through the rocks and boulders. The water was churning hard as it carved its way through the rocks to get to the falls. It was fun to see all the different swirls the water went through to get to the river at the bottom.
There are some steep steps to get down to the bottom of the waterfall so be careful. However, as long as you are paying attention you shouldn’t have any issues.
While you are on the hunt for waterfalls you can also check out Picturesque Covered Bridges in Vermont.
There was one person swimming at this waterfall wearing a wet suit but most people were just sunbathing on the boulders along the river and sticking their feet into the river.
Moss Glen Waterfalls in Stowe
The second Moss Glen Falls in Stowe is on a side road off Rt 100. I’m not sure why there are two waterfalls in the state with the same name but they are both worth a trip to. These falls are quite large. There isn’t much parking but people seemed to park along the road.
This is a short hike through a bit of a marshy area first. We were grateful for a loose interpretation of a wooden walkway to get through the beginning area to this hike.
However, in this area, we found some amazing examples of beavers at work. There were several trees down by a beaver’s handy work. The kids were very fascinated by this, heck I was too.
This is a quick hike up to the viewing point for the large waterfall. However, you can explore the river below before you climb up the hill to see the falls. Several families with small kids were playing in the river along the lower path and enjoying the cool water.
If you hike beyond the falls you can get to the river upstream which is quite calm. The girls enjoyed exploring this part of the river. In fact, we found a nice fallen tree by the river’s edge to have our lunch.
We hiked a bit more upstream but didn’t really find an end to the hike or any other falls but we did find an old stone cellar to a building that several trees were now growing in. We also found a painted rock along the trail.
Falls of Lana in Salisbury
The Falls of Lana which is on the Silver Lake Trail is on Rt 53 in Salisbury. There is a good size parking lot but it was crowded when we arrived.
I left this hike for last because it did seem to be all uphill. This is a very well-maintained trail that continues beyond the falls to more trails with lookouts and to Silver lake.
Secret Entrance to the Falls
There isn’t a sign or a trail off the main trail to get to the bottom of the Falls of Lana. However, as you make your way up the main trail you will walk under a large pipe, I’m talking 3 feet diameter, running from the lake above to a hydroelectric plant downhill. Once you pass this pipe and enter the woods again you will need to veer off the trail to the left and hike down. There isn’t a marked trail, in fact, you feel like you are just going off into the woods without any purpose. However, you will hear the falls as you descend the rocky slope.
This is where I warn you, this part of the trail isn’t for anyone that has balance issues or for small kids! The falls are beautiful though. I would recommend this hike for older kids that can hike on their own without any assistance.
We were hot enough to swim at the bottom of these falls though. I will spare you the video of me swimming but here is Clint and Ainsley enjoying the first pool. It was frigid!
For smaller kids, I suggest continuing to hike up to either Silver Lake or even just the main trail to the top of the path. At the top, you can easily play in the river. We first went up to the top and along another trail but realized most trails were closed due to Falcon nesting.
Evelyn did put her feet in the river at the top of the trail and said the flow was easy to navigate.
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Final Thoughts
I love finding waterfalls and seeing how they have carved their way to a river at the bottom of a mountain. Do you like to hike to waterfalls? Where have you hiked that you enjoyed a waterfall?
These are beautiful! We saw some of these on a road trip last summer. I absolutely LOVE Route 100!
I have to agree with you, Rt 100 is a wonderful drive. We also found covered bridges in the area that I highlighted in another post.
These pictures are beautiful! I always try to find a waterfall hike when my kids are with me. They love them – especially if they can get a little wet.
Agreed, Pam. I kids love to get wet.
We love visiting waterfalls and bridges. I would like to visit all of them and start with Bartlett’s Waterfalls in Bristol.
A very nice place to start indeed and I’m sure you will love them all.
I love waterfalls, and these are gorgeous! I hope we can make it out that way one day. We planned to go east this summer, but of course, we have to make another plan.
I’m sure you will enjoy the area and the waterfalls when you make it east. They will still be here waiting for you.
I love places like this. I’ve never been to Vermont but I hope to do a New England road trip to all of the states around there one day. I can’t wait to get back out and travel.
I agree, Eva. I’m sure when you make it to the northeast you will enjoy these waterfalls and all the northeast has to offer.
I LOVE waterfalls. I just created a trip for a NY waterfall trip. VT will have to be next!
I love hiking to waterfalls, they are the best. I would love to find waterfalls in every state. I will have to check out your post about NY waterfalls.
Looks like a fun activity discovering the waterfalls in Vermont. Which season do you prefer to visit the waterfalls?
I like to hike in the spring when the snow from the mountains is melting and feeding the rivers and waterfalls.
I live in Vermont and haven’t visited all of them. Just forwarded this post to my husband, since it will be awesome to visit them all this summer!
I hope you do get to visit all these waterfalls this summer. Be sure to wear sneakers and bring your bathing suits so you can go swimming and a towel to dry off with. Enjoy!
Such great coverage of soooo many fabulous waterfalls! Thank you for such a comprehensive list!!
Thanks, we had a great time exploring all of them as well.
Beautiful Pictures and visuals. When borders have cleared for opening between Canada and the US, I want to go to Vermont to explore your waterfalls. I may even do the same thing in my own region of Atlantic Canada.
I’d love to hear about waterfalls in your area too. Lake Champlain is also another area to explore in Vermont. It’s beautiful.
This is freaking amazing! I want to go there now! Adding this to our adventure list now!
All of them are pretty fun to explore. I hope when you visit them you enjoy them as much as we did.
I love how beautiful yet peaceful waterfalls are. I also love that they are all unique.
Agreed. Everyone is so different and special. That’s why you can keep hiking to them and your experiences are different it’s great.
Gorgeous! You’ve convinced me to come and explore quite a few places now! As soon as we can travel to the States that is…
I’m so glad Erin. I think wanderlust is a good thing. It gives us things to look forward to doing. I know I have added to my list go places to check out once we can travel again.
Who doesn’t love a beautiful waterfall! Looks like great fun! Really great photography!
Thanks, Barbara. I enjoyed photographing so I’m glad you like the photos.
The East coast is so dreamy. I would love to do all of these hikes!
I’m sure you and your family will love them, Lisa.
I love your photos, they really capture the essence of all the fantastic waterfall hikes Vermont has to offer.
Thanks, Shirley. I had a lot of fun playing with my camera while photographing them.
I am loving your Vermont posts…a place we called home for five years. You’re inspiring me to return for a visit. It is such a beautiful state.
Thanks, Karen. We love Vermont too.
These are all beautiful. We may head up that way this summer to take it all in. I am trying to come up with some fun things to do over the weekends.
Me too. Hoping to take some short weekend trips around the area.
I love being near waterfalls! There are beautiful falls in Vermont.
Agreed. A waterfall hike is always therapeutic.
Hey 🙂 Love the layout of your website, the information and all the pics! Waterfalls are so beautiful to me. When we travel to Gatlinburg, Tn., my family and I always make it a point to go see some of the waterfalls there in the Smokey Mountains. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much, Melissa. I’m glad to meet another waterfall lover. They are so much fun.
Hiking, swimming, and waterfalls, three of my favourite things to do. Great blog and photos/video.
Our favorite things to do as well.