This is a kid-friendly swimming hole that is only a few miles away from Ludlow, VT. Our family…read morestopped by for a visit with our dog in July 2026. Here are 3 tips for newbies. First, it can get very crowded along the road (there is no official parking lot). Be sure to pack your patience. If you arrive mid-afternoon, more spaces near the entrance may open. Second, no public restrooms are available. So, plan accordingly. Third, the middle falls are easiest to access if you're here for a short time. Overall, it was a nice place for a quick visit. However, Buttermilks Falls are not as impressive as other Vermont locations with swimming holes such as Bartlett Falls or Warren Falls. The latter is particularly scenic with a high cliff jump that is for brave teenagers and adults only. The state of Vermont is blessed to have so many natural swimming areas!

Wow ! What a hidden gem ! We were visiting Ludlow VT and saw this fall . Kids wanted to enjoy…read morewater and this was a perfect choice for us . The water was colddddddddddd though. Ufff . Very cold . The first dip was tough ! Later once you get use of it , it felt a bit better . Pathway was a bit crazy , in some places .it is about a 2 mile walk but we just went not too far : .. the lower and middle falls is also accessible from car parking lots outside . Parking is outside and sometimes you have to park 5-8 mins away from the falls . Not much of restrooms around . Lots of dogs in the water :) It was an amazing tint though ! Loved it . 5 stars !

A great hike of moderate difficulty. The summit is lovely, with beautiful views of Lake George and…read morethe surrounding mountains. Some areas of the trail are fairly eroded, but there were crews there working to protect the trail and divert water. Even with a full parking lot, the hike was long enough that we didn't see people very often along the way. We saw some families with little ones, but none near the top, so I'm not sure how far they made it. This wouldn't be an easy hike carrying kids, and I don't think most kids under 10 would stick it through to the end. A few portions are pretty steep, so it'd be tough on little legs. The one downside is that apparently Dacy Clearing Road isn't always fully open to vehicles, so rather than parking closer to the trailhead, you may have a few extra miles to walk on a gravel road. This takes your roundtrip from approximately 5 miles to roughly 8.

One of the most beautiful places I've hiked in. The view from the summit is spectacular on a sunny…read moresummer day, and probably even better in the fall. The hike to the top can be long or short, depending on your skill level, and how you want it to be. If you choose to do a longer hike, you can park at the Hogtown parking lot at the bottom. If you choose the shorter path ( 1.8 mi) to the summit, you must drive further down a dirt path (if the gate to go further is open) for another mile or so and park at the Dacy clearing. The hike itself is not bad. It can be a little rocky and steep, but if you're in average shape, you should be okay. It is for the average to moderate hikers. There were a lot of families with smaller children and dogs when I went. It's definitely something a family can enjoy. If you go on a nice day, I would recommend bringing lunch or snacks with you. It was really nice to eat with a view of the Adirondacks, and Lake George.

This is a gorgeous waterfall and swimming hole about a 45 minute drive from Burlington, VT! My…read morewife, two teenage sons, mini-poodle, and I came here in July 2024 on a hot summer day to cool off for an hour. Lots of pluses. First, it has a wide receiving pool area that is conducive to large groups and is more kid-friendly than other swimming holes (such as Warren Falls). Second, parking is generally available on the side of the road above the falls. You can descend along the second pathway down which is less steep than the first pathway. Third, dogs with a leash are allowed in the area. Would strongly recommend bringing water shoes (river shoes) if you don't like the pain of multiple rocks on your bare feet. Also, it tends to be a bit more quiet from 3pm-4pm, but got crowded when we departed at 5pm. Overall, this is a great place to experience a swimming hole in Vermont - especially if you are staying nearby in Burlington, VT.

I am into cold plunging for health and wellness. It was a cold rainy Aug. day and we headed to…read moreBristol for food and falls. Bartlett falls are amazing. Very accessible and pristine. We had a lovely swim. We parked on the side of the road and walked down..easy peasy.

Just had an amazing time at the only Caves in the Adirondacks! We had a blast walking down and…read moreexploring the caves. All the caves are outdoors and can be self guided! Perfect for families but be careful to wear sneakers as some areas are slippery! We brought our newborn and it wasn't too bad! Just go slow if you're also with elderly parents. Fun place!

Absolutely beautiful. Loved every minute of trekking through the caves, bridges and trails. This is…read morea must see attraction in the Adirondacks and a great way to see the natural landscape. Grab a walking stick and get ready for a fun outdoorsy adventure and don't forget to check out the gem & gift shops on the way out!

Easy walk to the falls with kids and adults on a walkway surrounded by wildflowers. Tougher but…read moremanageable hike to the top if you want to go for it! We saw a couple who took lunch and sat on a rock right next to the falls - fabulous idea for next time!

I was looking for a short and easy hike with views and this place popped up after searching the…read moreinternet. There's a dirt road that leads to the parking area for this trail. The parking lot was packed when we went but some people were parking on the side of the road. There's a sign at the beginning of the trail which is a boardwalk. The boardwalk was nicely maintained and easy to walk on. The whole trail is 0.5 miles and it's out and back. Once we got to the dirt trail, there were a couple of other trail entrances which connects to the larger Appalachian Trail; we decided to head to the waterfall. There was a viewing platform and the waterfall was majestic! We climbed up to near the top of the waterfall and it was steep but worth it. If you're looking for an easy and kid-friendly hike, this is the one you can't miss if you're in the area. I also think it's stroller friendly.

Always a pleasure to go here to swim cook an just enjoy freedom outside with family fun an food…read more Love going here it always brings back childhood memories. Used to come here as a kid now get the chance to bring the new families here to enjoy the same kind of entertainment. What a pleasure.

We had a great time at the beach! There is also a playground, but my guys didn't get out of the…read morewater. There was also a large area so that my fiancé & his friends could play horseshoes. My only problem was that they didn't have a lot of sizes left for their t shirts at the gift shop, but it was mid August when we were there. It didn't stop me from buying a bunch of stuff from them. We'll definitely be back next year!

This is a small state park off US 7 about 10 miles north of Manchester Center VT. It's a 5-10…read moreminute walk from parking lot to the lake. The lake is fairly shallow, it's very clean, not a large beach area and very picturesque. It's not Lake Tahoe by any means but it's very pleasant and refreshing.

This is a beautiful park with a Great Lake for swimming. Parking is plentiful and close to the…read moreswimming area. The bathrooms and changing areas are clean.

The tin man greets you at this treasure trove of trails for walking/running/hiking/snowshoeing, an…read moreadventure forest for kids, and extensive mountain biking trails.

Driving by and I saw this wooden covered bridge so we had to pull over and check it out! So glad…read morewe did, The bridge is located right with this cute,well cared for small park. Well maintained trees, bushes and plants. Love to see how well they take care of the landscape here, also lots of garbage cans around. The park even has a few benches to sit and relax on. The wooden covered bridge was very cool to see and walk through. No cars allowed.... so this allows you to walk right inside the bridge ( love that there is a picnic bench inside too)The bridge goes over a small stream loaded with rocks and wildlife. On the outside of the bridge there are also another pathway to get a closer look at the stream. Very cute area perfect for a quick lunch break and rest before getting back on the road.

Living Memorial Park is a local gem. Just past the quaint Creamery Covered Bridge off Rt 9, you'll…read morefind this park, central to the Brattleboro community. On one side of the entrance around the corner from the public pool there are play areas, basketball hoops, a gazebo and benches. Residents and non-residents alike may use the pool and small children's water park for a small fee. There are public bathrooms, but they are what you would expect from an old, public park bathroom...built with concrete blocks and minimally cleaned (ie: kinda gross), but at least they're available. On the other side of the entrance is a baseball field. In the winter, the hill is a popular spot for sledding and skiing. There is a T-bar and the capacity to make snow. Many local children get their start skiing here because it is incredibly inexpensive to buy a day pass and free for children under 5. If you venture further up the hill you'll find other fields, an ice skating rink, a small outdoor stage, and a picnic pavilion. The views from the top of the hill are beautiful, and from the top there are hiking trails through the woods around the park.

I stayed in the cabin moose and it was absolutely terrific! Very clean and spacious. The ceiling…read morefan kept us cool even during late summer heat. The bathrooms and showers were also very clean (just remember to bring quarters because you do have to pay for showers). There's lovely restaurants and nearby day hikes. 10/10!

Gifford Woods State Park is a great location for hikers (or any visitor to the Killington area for…read morethat matter) to bunk for a couple of nights. The park hosts 4 cabins, 22 tent/RV sites, and 21 lean-to sites located around two paved/well-maintained dirt roads on the premises. It appears to be open Memorial Day weekend to late October. It is a breeze to find, easily located just off Route 100. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the park so you may catch a glimpse of some thru-hikers on their journey between Maine and Georgia! The park is very well-maintained! The campsite was neatly raked, the fire pit cleaned out for use. I stayed at campsite #1 and it was quite spacious...a bit further removed from the road than the other campsites. The whole site was marked out with a fine gravel, plenty of room for parking and maneuvering the car. Each road loop contains modern bathrooms and coin-operated hot showers. There are areas for picnicking, volleyball, horseshoes, trash/recycling, and drinking water. Kent Pond is just across the way complete with boat launch and fishing! Booking and check-in were a breeze for this location. I called 10 days before our intended arrival and got a site no problem. On arrival, the ranger at the park office was very friendly and sold us firewood and ice straight from there. If you need any assistance during off-hours, the ranger lives in a cute house attached to the park office. They encouraged us to knock on the door at any time if we needed help. The campsite is pet-friendly and I came across quite a few well-behaved dogs during my stay. Quiet hours are from 10pm-7am. The park itself is pretty quiet all day long... I heard nothing but birds chirping, trees rustling, and a bit less-welcoming: the traffic from Route 100. This didn't bother me so much since I generally wear earplugs to sleep but something to consider if you prefer a more rustic atmosphere when camping. Tent sites are between $20-$22/night, $27-$29 for a lean-to site, and $50 for cabins. There is a 2-night minimum for reservations. Affordable, clean, convenient... I would definitely stay here again!