Vermont and swimming. An unlikely combination for most people. When flatlanders (those who are not native to Vermont) think of Vermont, the usual images come to mind of a crisp autumn day awash in colorful leaves or a pristine blue sky domed over a muted landscape smothered with snow. Vermonters, however, know of an overlooked season sandwiched between these two: the short, but fabulous Vermont summer. Take the same leaves in the green verve of summer, set them against the same blue dome of sky, add the sound of a roaring waterfall and a deep pool of the most remarkably clear water that you can imagine and you will begin to feel the allure of the Vermont swimming hole.

Buttermilk Falls, Ludlow. Photo courtesy of www.swimmingholes.info

Swimming holes abound in these Green Mountains. Finding them and exploring all that they have to offer can make for an exciting and wondrous adventure. Some are easy to spot. The line of parked cars on the roadside pullouts is a sure give away. These swimming holes are like town institutions as they have become an integral part of town life during the summer. Attracting a mixture of local folks and out of town visitors, they are melting pots of people and pets. Often crowded, they retain their natural beauty, providing everyone with the sweet, wholesome fun that only a swimming hole has to offer.

#5 Warren Falls

One such jewel is Warren Falls, located just off Route 100. With its multiple waterfalls, deep pools, natural waterslide and incredible rock formations, Warren Falls is the preeminent blueprint for all other swimming holes. Here, the Mad River flows north through a magnificent gorge that simply must be seen to be believed. There is something for everyone here from shallow water dabbling to deepwater plunging; one can easily spend a full day swimming, sliding, jumping, exploring and relaxing at Warren Falls. The one thing that you will not find here is seclusion; in a place as beautiful and accessible as this, you will nearly always have company. Come here early in the morning for a cool, shady swim and you might catch some solitude.

#4 Cady Falls

Other swimming holes are more difficult to find and therein lies some of the adventure. Cady Falls, located in Terrill Gorge along Kenfield Brook in Morristown, is some distance from the road and offers a better chance for privacy. An undersized parking area keeps the crowds down and the smaller nature of the falls makes it less of a destination. The appeal of Cady Falls is in its sense of secrecy and feeling of remoteness. Here, Kenfield Brook pours over a broad plate of rock to form an elegant, double waterfall. The soaring trees stationed on the high walls that ring the pool are like sentries, looking over the swimming hole and its visitors. Shady and cool, the splendor of Cady Falls instantly envelopes you when you approach. One of the more beautiful sounding waterfalls in Vermont, it’s easy to become mesmerized by the entire scene here.

#3-2 Buttermilk Falls

Somewhere between the awesome visual impact of Warren Falls and the sensory saturation of Cady Falls is an especially fun swimming hole called Buttermilk Falls. Spread out over a long section of Branch Brook near the town of Ludlow, Buttermilk Falls is sure to satisfy the summertime thirst for swimming. A trio of distinctly separate pools offers uniquely different swimming experiences. The uppermost long, narrow, deep pool is the most private and least visited. A small, but interesting waterfall upstream from here bears exploring. The middle pool, wide and deep, is fed by a side facing waterfall. Small rocks near the falls will occupy the children as they work up the nerve to jump, while the shallower, downstream area will keep the dogs busy chasing tennis balls all afternoon.

The final pool sits at the bottom of a gushing, gurgling waterfall with many hidden compartments. In time of low flow, this waterfall is particularly interesting and holds many surprises. The old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” certainly applies here. Take the time to thoroughly investigate this waterfall and you just might be surprised at what you find. Just don’t forget to swim in the bottom pool and lounge on the warm rocks above the falls too.

#1 Devil’s Gorge

Clarendon Gorge is a well known swimming hole just south of Rutland. With no waterfall, an unassuming swimming area, a bit too close to the traffic zooming up and down Route 7, a north facing cliff along the Clarendon River, a somewhat awkward rope swing and, at times, a crowd, you might think that this is not a special place at all. Though fun in its own right, the obvious swimming hole at the end of the trail from the parking lot is only half of the story. Walk, swim, trudge and scramble your way upstream, past the sharp bend in the river and discover the eerie chasm that is Devil’s Gorge. So narrow at one point, you can actually touch both sides of the chasm as you swim up to the uppermost waterfall. Deep, dark and spooky, Devil’s Gorge will test your resolve. Strong currents that can occur in this narrow channel make reaching the falls at the top of the gorge a challenge.

Perhaps now, the notion of swimming in Vermont is as clear as the water that fills these swimming holes and you’ve warmed up to the idea of taking a dip in these cold waters. But how can we be assured that we will always be able to enjoy these exceptional places? Enter the Vermont River Conservancy, which purchases waterfalls and gorges, swimming holes, lakeshores, riparian wildlife habitat, paddling and fishing areas and water related trails for conservation and, in most cases, perpetual access. Each of the swimming holes described here has been protected and perpetual access has been secured by the VRC. Through the efforts of the Vermont River Conservancy, these places, and many more like them, will remain accessible to all.

Dave Hajdasz is the New England web master for the www.swimmingholes.info website. With no rules and no lifeguards, common sense is essential to enjoying these places safely. Please swim responsibly.