20 Foot Hole

There is something truly spectacular about the tiny gorge of colorful blue water at 20 Foot Hole. Tucked away in the woods just out of sight from the road, you’ll find yourself wanting to swim and rock-hop all day, surrounded by hemlocks, white pines and hardwood trees. Access to the Black River is through an unmarked roadside path, but you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the kiosk down the trail a short distance.

From the kiosk, you can carefully look over the edge down into the gorge for an elevated view and then follow the trail down a very short, steep section to the water’s edge. Be careful to not trip on the roots or wet rocks. A small cascade flows down into this gorge, making it an even more scenic place to swim. From here you can wander downstream almost a quarter-mile, finding other cascades and pools to enjoy along the way. Not as many people venture downstream, so walking the extra distance can provide a little more solitude if the main gorge area is crowded. 20 Foot Hole used to be a very popular place for cliff jumping into the deeper pools, but the water is too shallow now. Flooding from severe storms washed rocks and other debris into the water, making it too dangerous for jumping, but that doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying this incredible spot.