Buttermilk Falls Swimming Hole

Whether you’re looking for a place to cool off, relax at a scenic spot or take photos, Buttermilk Falls offers it all. You’ll park along the side of a country road and hike a short distance down to Branch Brook, where you’ll have your choice of where to hop in. There is a fairly easy-going trail that parallels the brook, with side paths leading back up to the road, so you can spend a good part of the day exploring different sections of the brook. There are three separate waterfalls, with the middle and upper falls being the most popular due to the gorgeous green pools of water beneath them. It’s not uncommon to see people of all ages jumping from the rocks or picnicking at the rocky shoreline. People come from all over the northeast to swim here, and hot summer days can get crowded. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, there are plenty of other quieter places along this section of the brook you can explore. 

The falls and surrounding land is managed by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and a conservation easement protects it from future development so that families can continue visiting this special place for generations to come.