State guide

Waterfalls in Vermont

29 waterfalls across 10 counties, ranked 24th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Northern Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom, Central Green Mountains and Champlain Slope, and Southern Vermont and Connecticut River Tributaries.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

Best WaterfallsMost Beautiful WaterfallsMust-See Waterfalls

Photo of Moss Glen Falls in Lamoille County, Vermont
Pictured: Moss Glen Falls, VT

Towns

Why Vermont Has So Many Waterfalls

Vermont's waterfalls trace the spine of the Green Mountains, which run the length of the state from Massachusetts to Quebec. These mountains are built of old, tough metamorphic rock, mostly schist, gneiss and quartzite, and during the Ice Age a continental glacier ground over them, deepening valleys and leaving tributary streams to drop steeply into them. Heavy snowfall in the high country and reliable rain through the year keep brooks running, and many have cut narrow gorges and potholes into the bedrock. Our directory lists 29 named falls in Vermont, ranking it 24th nationally, spread across the state rather than concentrated in a single county.

Windsor County leads with six, followed by Addison and Windham with five each. On the western flank of the Green Mountains, streams in Addison and Rutland counties fall toward the Champlain Valley, through country tied to the state's marble quarrying history. On the eastern side, rivers such as the Black, Williams and Saxtons descend toward the Connecticut River, where the town of Bellows Falls grew up beside a major drop on the main river. In the north, the Mount Mansfield area around Stowe holds two of the most visited falls in the state. Many Vermont falls are close to roads and villages, making them easy additions to a scenic drive.

Vermont Waterfall Regions

Northern Green Mountains and Northeast Kingdom

11 waterfalls · Lamoille County, Washington County, Chittenden County, Franklin County, Orleans County, and Essex County

The northern Green Mountains around Mount Mansfield, the state's highest peak, hold Vermont's two most reviewed falls. Moss Glen Falls near Stowe drops through a narrow gorge with pools below, and Bingham Falls, in Mount Mansfield State Forest, tumbles through potholes and a deep chasm. To the west, the Winooski River cuts through the mountains, with Bolton Falls and Winooski Falls marking drops along its course. In the remote Northeast Kingdom, Big Falls in Orleans County is a powerful drop on the Missisquoi River in a quiet rural setting. Essex County adds a falls along the upper Connecticut River.

Start with: Moss Glen Falls, Bingham Falls, Big Falls, Bolton Falls, Winooski Falls

Central Green Mountains and Champlain Slope

7 waterfalls · Addison County and Rutland County

West of the main ridge, streams fall from the mountains toward Otter Creek and Lake Champlain. In Addison County, Texas Falls drops through a narrow, sculpted gorge in the Green Mountain National Forest, and a second Moss Glen Falls, in Granville, is a tall, fan-shaped cascade visible from a short path along Route 100. The Falls of Lana, near Lake Dunmore in the Moosalamoo area, is a series of drops in a steep ravine. In Rutland County, Sutherland Falls in Proctor and Center Rutland Falls are tied to the marble industry and historic waterpower along Otter Creek.

Start with: Texas Falls, Moss Glen Falls, Falls of Lana, Sutherland Falls, Center Rutland Falls

Southern Vermont and Connecticut River Tributaries

11 waterfalls · Windsor County and Windham County

In southern Vermont, the Black, Williams, Saxtons and West rivers descend through rolling hills to the Connecticut River, and their falls are often close to villages and covered bridges. Buttermilk Falls in Windsor County, near Ludlow, is a cluster of cascades with swimming holes, and Black River Falls lies on the river of the same name. Windham County holds several small falls on the Saxtons River, recorded by USGS at heights under 20 feet, and Bellows Falls marks a historic drop on the Connecticut River itself. Many of these falls are swimming spots in summer and are easy to reach from local roads.

Start with: Buttermilk Falls, Black River Falls, Crystal Cascade Falls, Gerrys Falls, Little Cascade Falls

25 Featured Waterfalls in Vermont

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Moss Glen Falls

    Morristown, VT · Lamoille County
    4.8 (313 reviews)

    Scenic hiking trails offer sweeping views of this cascading waterfall, with gorges & pools below.

    Rating
    4.8 (313 Google reviews)
    Address
    Stowe, VT 05672
    Website
    northeastwaterfalls.com
    Nearest town
    Morristown, VT (5.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Worcester quad
    View details Directions Website

  2. Bingham Falls

    Morristown, VT · Lamoille County
    4.7 (200 reviews)

    Waterfall in Mt. Mansfield State Forest with deep pools & gorges housing wildlife & a trail network.

    Rating
    4.7 (200 Google reviews)
    Address
    Stowe, VT 05672
    Nearest town
    Morristown, VT (7.5 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Mansfield quad
    View details Directions

  3. Texas Falls

    Randolph, VT · Addison County
    4.7 (160 reviews)

    Texas Falls is a waterfall in Addison County, Vermont, about 12 miles west of Randolph. It appears on the USGS Bread Loaf topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (160 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hancock, VT 05748
    Nearest town
    Randolph, VT (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bread Loaf quad
    View details Directions

  4. Buttermilk Falls

    Chester, VT · Windsor County
    4.7 (142 reviews)

    Cluster of 3 waterfalls in a wooded state park with a 1.1-mi. hiking trail & swimming holes.

    Rating
    4.7 (142 Google reviews)
    Address
    Ludlow, VT 05149
    Nearest town
    Chester, VT (14 mi)
    USGS topo
    Ludlow quad
    View details Directions

  5. Moss Glen Falls

    Randolph, VT · Addison County
    4.8 (106 reviews)

    Moss Glen Falls is a waterfall in Addison County, Vermont, about 11 miles northwest of Randolph. It appears on the USGS Warren topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (106 Google reviews)
    Address
    Granville, VT 05747
    Website
    northeastwaterfalls.com
    Nearest town
    Randolph, VT (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Warren quad
    View details Directions Website

  6. Falls of Lana

    Brandon, VT · Addison County
    4.9 (40 reviews)

    Falls of Lana is a waterfall in Addison County, Vermont, about 7.4 miles north of Brandon. It appears on the USGS East Middlebury topographic map.

    Rating
    4.9 (40 Google reviews)
    Address
    Salisbury, VT 05769
    Nearest town
    Brandon, VT (7.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    East Middlebury quad
    View details Directions

  7. Big Falls

    Newport, VT · Orleans County
    5.0 (18 reviews)

    Big Falls is a waterfall in Orleans County, Vermont, about 9.1 miles west of Newport. It appears on the USGS North Troy topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (18 Google reviews)
    Address
    Troy, VT 05859
    Nearest town
    Newport, VT (9.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    North Troy quad
    View details Directions

  8. Black River Falls

    Springfield, VT · Windsor County
    4.8 (13 reviews)

    Black River Falls is a waterfall in Windsor County, Vermont, in Springfield. It appears on the USGS Springfield topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (13 Google reviews)
    Address
    Springfield, VT 05156
    Nearest town
    Springfield, VT (0.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Springfield quad
    View details Directions

  9. Sutherland Falls

    Rutland, VT · Rutland County
    4.0 (17 reviews)

    A 50-foot waterfall on a creek & powerhouse for historic marble quarrying works.

    Rating
    4.0 (17 Google reviews)
    Address
    Proctor, VT 05765
    Nearest town
    Rutland, VT (4.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Proctor quad
    View details Directions

  10. Center Rutland Falls

    Rutland, VT · Rutland County
    4.4 (9 reviews)

    Center Rutland Falls is a waterfall in Rutland County, Vermont, about 2.1 miles west of Rutland. It appears on the USGS West Rutland topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rutland, VT 05736
    Nearest town
    Rutland, VT (2.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    West Rutland quad
    View details Directions

  11. Crystal Cascade Falls

    Windsor, VT · Windsor County
    4.4 (9 reviews)

    Crystal Cascade Falls is a waterfall in Windsor County, Vermont, about 5.2 miles southwest of Windsor. It appears on the USGS Windsor topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Weathersfield, VT 05151
    Nearest town
    Windsor, VT (5.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Windsor quad
    View details Directions

  12. Bolton Falls

    Waterbury, VT · Washington County
    4.1 (10 reviews)

    Bolton Falls is a waterfall in Washington County, Vermont, about 3.3 miles northwest of Waterbury. It appears on the USGS Waterbury topographic map.

    Rating
    4.1 (10 Google reviews)
    Address
    Waterbury, VT 05676
    Nearest town
    Waterbury, VT (3.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Waterbury quad
    View details Directions

  13. Gerrys Falls

    Windsor, VT · Windsor County
    4.5 (6 reviews)

    Gerrys Falls is a waterfall in Windsor County, Vermont, about 3.3 miles southwest of Windsor. It appears on the USGS Windsor topographic map.

    Rating
    4.5 (6 Google reviews)
    Address
    Windsor, VT 05089
    Nearest town
    Windsor, VT (3.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Windsor quad
    View details Directions

  14. Highgate Falls

    Swanton, VT · Franklin County
    4.6 (5 reviews)

    Highgate Falls is a waterfall in Franklin County, Vermont, about 3.9 miles east of Swanton. It appears on the USGS Highgate Center topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Highgate, VT 05459
    Nearest town
    Swanton, VT (3.9 mi)
    USGS topo
    Highgate Center quad
    View details Directions

  15. Winooski Falls

    Winooski, VT · Chittenden County
    3.4 (10 reviews)

    Winooski Falls is a waterfall in Chittenden County, Vermont, in Winooski. It appears on the USGS Burlington topographic map.

    Rating
    3.4 (10 Google reviews)
    Address
    Burlington, VT 05404
    Nearest town
    Winooski, VT (0.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Burlington quad
    View details Directions

  16. Bailey Falls

    Brandon, VT · Addison County
    3.8 (6 reviews)

    Bailey Falls is a waterfall in Addison County, Vermont, about 11 miles northeast of Brandon. It appears on the USGS Bread Loaf topographic map.

    Rating
    3.8 (6 Google reviews)
    Address
    Hancock, VT 05748
    Nearest town
    Brandon, VT (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Bread Loaf quad
    View details Directions

  17. Little Cascade Falls

    Windsor, VT · Windsor County
    5.0 (3 reviews)

    Little Cascade Falls is a waterfall in Windsor County, Vermont, about 5.0 miles southwest of Windsor. It appears on the USGS Windsor topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Weathersfield, VT 05151
    Nearest town
    Windsor, VT (5.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Windsor quad
    View details Directions

  18. Huntington Falls

    Middlebury (village), VT · Addison County
    3.6 (5 reviews)

    Huntington Falls is a waterfall in Addison County, Vermont, about 4.0 miles north of Middlebury (village). It appears on the USGS Middlebury topographic map.

    Rating
    3.6 (5 Google reviews)
    Address
    Weybridge, VT 05753
    Nearest town
    Middlebury (village), VT (4.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Middlebury quad
    View details Directions

  19. Bingham Falls

    Johnson, VT · Lamoille County
    3.1 (7 reviews)

    Bingham Falls is a waterfall in Lamoille County, Vermont, about 8.2 miles southwest of Johnson. It appears on the USGS Mount Mansfield topographic map.

    Rating
    3.1 (7 Google reviews)
    Address
    Cambridge, VT 05464
    Nearest town
    Johnson, VT (8.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mount Mansfield quad
    View details Directions

  20. Blake Falls

    Hardwick, VT · Washington County
    5.0 (2 reviews)

    Blake Falls is a waterfall in Washington County, Vermont, about 5.7 miles southwest of Hardwick. It appears on the USGS Woodbury topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (2 Google reviews)
    Address
    Woodbury, VT 05650
    Nearest town
    Hardwick, VT (5.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Woodbury quad
    View details Directions

  21. Beecher Falls

    Guildhall, VT · Essex County
    3.0 (2 reviews)

    Beecher Falls is a waterfall in Essex County, Vermont, about 31 miles north of Guildhall. USGS notes: Located on the state line between Vermont and Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, 1.3 mi ENE of the town of Canaan

    Rating
    3.0 (2 Google reviews)
    Address
    Stewartstown, NH 03576
    Nearest town
    Guildhall, VT (31 mi)
    USGS topo
    Monadnock Mountain OE N quad
    View details Directions

  22. Moretown Falls

    Waterbury, VT · Washington County
    2.3 (3 reviews)

    Moretown Falls is a waterfall in Washington County, Vermont, about 6.0 miles south of Waterbury. It appears on the USGS Waterbury topographic map.

    Rating
    2.3 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Moretown, VT 05660
    Nearest town
    Waterbury, VT (6.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Waterbury quad
    View details Directions

  23. Gages Falls

    Bellows Falls, VT · Windham County

    Gages Falls is a waterfall in Windham County, Vermont, about 1.3 miles southwest of Bellows Falls. USGS notes: 3 ft. high; located along the Saxtons River at Covered Bridge Road in North Westminster, 0.5 mi. NW of Bald Hill

    Address
    Windham County, VT (GPS 43.1163, -72.4562)
    Nearest town
    Bellows Falls, VT (1.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Walpole quad
    View details Directions

  24. Saxtons River Falls

    Bellows Falls, VT · Windham County

    Saxtons River Falls is a waterfall in Windham County, Vermont, about 3.3 miles west of Bellows Falls. USGS notes: 19 ft. high; located along Saxtons River at the bridge on Westminster W Rd over Saxtons River in the Village of Saxtons River

    Address
    Windham County, VT (GPS 43.1377, -72.5096)
    Nearest town
    Bellows Falls, VT (3.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Saxtons River quad
    View details Directions

  25. Sokoki Falls

    Rockingham, VT · Windham County

    Sokoki Falls is a waterfall in Windham County, Vermont, about 2.0 miles northwest of Rockingham. USGS notes: 16 ft. high; in the community of Brockways Mills, along the Williams River

    Address
    Windham County, VT (GPS 43.2086, -72.5171)
    Nearest town
    Rockingham, VT (2.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Saxtons River quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Vermont

  1. Falls of Lana 4.9 from 40 reviews · Brandon
  2. Moss Glen Falls 4.8 from 313 reviews · Morristown
  3. Moss Glen Falls 4.8 from 106 reviews · Randolph
  4. Bingham Falls 4.7 from 200 reviews · Morristown
  5. Texas Falls 4.7 from 160 reviews · Randolph

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 1 Vermont waterfall mention swimming, including Buttermilk Falls.

Vermont Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Vermont are about 139 miles apart.

Names and History

The most reused names are Moss Glen Falls (2) and Bingham Falls (2), so check the county and town before you set out.

8 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Falls of Lana (also Sucker Brook Falls) and Center Rutland Falls (also Mead's Falls).

From the USGS record for Sokoki Falls: "named for a band of Abenaki Indians who once lived in the area"

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Vermont

Spring snowmelt dominates Vermont's waterfall calendar. Flows usually peak from April into May, but that period coincides with mud season, when unpaved roads turn to mud and higher-elevation trails are vulnerable to damage, so many visitors focus on roadside falls in spring. By late May and June, trails dry out and falls still run well. Midsummer brings lower flows on smaller brooks, though summer thunderstorms can bring brief surges and swimming holes draw crowds. Fall foliage, generally from late September through mid October, is Vermont's busiest season, especially along Route 100 and around Stowe. Late autumn rains often revive the falls. Winter turns many falls into ice formations, but snow-covered approaches and short days require caution.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Vermont

Vermont waterfalls are a mix of public and private land. The Green Mountain National Forest manages several in the central and southern mountains, and state forests and parks, such as Mount Mansfield State Forest, hold others. Many smaller falls are in towns, on private land with long-standing public use, or along rivers where access is informal; respect posted signs and parking rules. Roadside pullouts along Route 100 fill during foliage season. Hazards include cold water even in summer, strong currents and deep pools in narrow gorges, and slippery, moss-covered ledges. Gorge swimming holes have been the site of drownings and serious falls. Major floods in 2011 and 2023 reshaped some streams and trails, so conditions can differ from older descriptions.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Vermont Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Windsor621%Buttermilk Falls
Addison517%Texas Falls
Windham517%Gages Falls
Washington414%Bolton Falls
Lamoille310%Moss Glen Falls
Rutland27%Sutherland Falls
Chittenden13%Winooski Falls
Essex13%Beecher Falls
Franklin13%Highgate Falls
Orleans13%Big Falls

All Vermont Waterfalls A to Z

Vermont Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Vermont?

Our directory lists 29 waterfalls in Vermont, all officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, 24th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 1.1% of the national total. 55% of them are in just three counties: Windsor, Addison, and Windham.

What is the most visited waterfall in Vermont?

By Google review count, Moss Glen Falls in Lamoille County leads with 313 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Bingham Falls is next.

Why are there two Moss Glen Falls in Vermont?

The name is used for two separate falls: one near Stowe in Lamoille County and one in Granville in Addison County. Both are in our directory and both are among the state's most reviewed.

Should I avoid Vermont hiking trails in mud season?

Higher-elevation trails are often discouraged or closed during spring mud season, roughly April into late May, to prevent erosion. Roadside and low-elevation falls are better choices then.

Which Vermont town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Guildhall has 16 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Vermont directory.