Swimming Holes In the Ludlow Okemo Area

Buttermilk Falls In Ludlow, Vermont

BUTTERMILK FALLS
(BUTT)

PHOTO 1 TO STATE MAP
TOWNSRUTLAND, LUDLOW LAT, LON Lat:43.43639 Lon: -72.72833 Source: Measured Accuracy: Exact  

Link to Google Map

STATEVTWATERBranch BrookTYPEFallsDESCRIPTION

At least 3 falls, with chutes and pools galore. Walk between falls. Very large, deep pools at bottom of 2 of these falls. These falls and swimming places are now preserved for all thanks to the
Vermont River Conservancy, There is some nude swimming/sunbathing here. It is suggested that if you wish to go nude, please go down to the third (lowest) pool so that families can use the upper pools more freely. Thanks.

AREASNoneSANCTIONSemi-officialFEENoneFACILITIESNoneACTIVITIESSwimming, JumpingPHONENoneCAMPINGNot at siteBATHING SUITSCustomary upper pools/Optional lower pool. Also optional across the old, closed bridge at the end of the road, following paths to the left.DIRECTIONS

From Ludlow, go about 5 mi west on RT 103. Just past where RT 100 goes north, turn right at street sign "Buttermilk Falls Rd" (VFW hall is on right.) Go to the end of this road and park. You can walk to all falls from here. Take path off right side of road to falls.

CONFIDENCEVery ConfidentVERIFIEDYes

FRENCHVILLE AREA
[2 PLACES]
(FELC)

See below to STATE MAP
TOWNS: PLYMOUTH, WOODSTOCK, FELCHVILLE, READING, SOUTH READING

STATEVTWATERNorth Branch Black River

TYPERiver pools

DESCRIPTION Several swimming places along a road parallel to the North Branch Black River. See the directions below for details.AREAS

ACTIVITIESSwimming, Jumping, Rope Swing

BATHING SUITSVaried

DIRECTIONS From the cottage, take route 100 south towards Tyson. Turn left onto Tyson Reading Road at the Echo Lake Inn. A mile from the end of Tyson Reading Road is 20 Foot Drop.

TWENTY-FOOT HOLE [TWEN]:
About a mile from Felchville, at the crest of a small hill. A trail on the south side of the road - a bit steep- leads to three blue-green pools. The first, is called Twenty-Foot Hole PHOTO1. Go downstream to Fifteen-Foot Pool PHOTO2
and a bit further downstream is Ten-Foot Pool. LAT, LON Lat:43.46877 Lon:-72.56406  Source: Measured Accuracy: Exact  
Link to Google Map

This swimming place is now preserved for all thanks to the
Vermont River Conservancy.

READING HOLE [READ]:
There are other swimming places along this road, one is called the Reading Hole. No better directions to it. LAT, LON Lat:43.46877 Lon:-72.56406 Source: MapPoint Accuracy: Approximate
Link to Google Map

CONFIDENCEVery ConfidentVERIFIEDYes

CAVENDISH GORGE
(CAVE)

PHOTO1

PHOTO2TO STATE MAP
TOWNSCAVENDISH, LUDLOWLAT, LONLat:43.38275 Lon: -72.59711 Source: Measured Accuracy: Exact  

Link to Google Map

STATEVTWATERBlack RiverTYPERiverDESCRIPTION

The Black River spills over a dam, then meanders through a rugged, little explored gorge. Secluded and unpopular, there is a great deal of very exciting exploration and swimming to be had here. We were somewhat hesitant to enter the water as it seemed a little dark and murky. Not the best swimming hole you will ever visit, but not the worst either. Be very careful entering the steep gorge.

AREASNoneSANCTIONUnofficialFEENoneFACILITIESNoneACTIVITIESSwimmingPHONENoneCAMPINGNot at siteBATHING SUITSCustomaryDIRECTIONS

From Ludlow, follow Rte 103 east for approximately 3 miles to Rte 131 east through Proctorsville and Cavendish. Approximately 0.4 miles past Cavendish, watch on the right side of Rte 131 for a small waste water treatment facility near or beside a small, moderately well maintained dirt road labeled CVPS road. Turn right onto CVPS Rd and follow to a small parking area on the left. There is a gate (usually locked) at the entrance to the power plant., but if found unlocked, do NOT be tempted to park inside the gate. walk past the gate, (be respectful now since you are on power plant property) past the power plant, and follow a grassy path up hill and up river. To your left will be the gorge, although views from the rim will only occasionally reveal much of the gorge below. Continue approximately 0.4 miles upstream almost all the way to the dam, and find natural breaks in the gorge wall to enter into the gorge.  

CONFIDENCEVery ConfidentVERIFIEDYes

CLARENDON GORGE
[3 PLACES]
(CLAR)

PHOTOS BELOWTO STATE MAP

TOWNSRUTLAND, CLARENDONSTATEVTWATERMill RiverTYPERiverDESCRIPTION

High cliffs and a deep pool with a rope swing. Popular local swimming holes, lots of parties resulting in some litter.

AREASGreen Mountain National ForestSANCTIONUnofficialFEENoFACILITIESUnknownACTIVITIESSwimming, JumpingPHONEUnknownCAMPINGNone at siteBATHING SUITSOptional/Customary, see belowDIRECTIONS

CLARENDON GORGE [CLAR]:
From Rutland, take RT 7 south. After passing the intersection for RT 103 (Rutland Airport), take your next left onto RT 7B. The road immediately forks here; left is RT 7B, straight is River Road. The parking area will be on the right near the large concrete blocks.  PHOTO
LAT, LON Lat: 43.51633 Lon: -72.96461 Source: Measured Accuracy: Exact  
Link to Google Map

DEVIL'S GORGE [DEVL]:
The safest way to reach the Devil's Gorge is to hike and swim upstream from the Clarendon Gorge swimming area described above. It is a reasonably long trek to the falls at the top of the gorge. This section of the river is extremely private.
PHOTO
LAT, LON Lat: 43.51602 Lon: -72.96540 Source: Measured Accuracy: Exact  
Link to Google Map

SWINGING BRIDGE [SWIN]: From Rutland, take RT 7 south. Take a left onto RT 103. Following RT 103 for approximately 2.5 miles, you will come to a large parking area on the right just before you cross the railroad tracks. This is used as an access point to the Long Trail. Park here and follow the well-worn path to the suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, take the path to the right, leading down to the river. Follow the river under the bridge to the swimming areas downstream. Lat/Lon Lat: 43.51993 Lon: -72.92620 Source: Measured Accuracy: Exact  
Link to Google Map

CONFIDENCEVery ConfidentVERIFIEDYes

CONGDON'S POINT
(CONG)

NO PHOTOSTO STATE MAP
TOWNSRUTLAND, CHITTENDENLAT, LONLat:43.71482 Lon: -72.90536 Source: MapPoint Accuracy: Approximate

Link to Google Map

STATEVTWATERLeffer's Pond, Chittenden ReservoirTYPELakeDESCRIPTIONA rocky point on a small lake that has been a long-time favorite for nude sunbathers and swimmers.AREASGreen Mountain National ForestSANCTIONUnofficialFEEUnknownFACILITIESUnknownACTIVITIESSwimmingPHONEUnknownCAMPINGNone at siteBATHING SUITSOptionalDIRECTIONS

From the intersection of RT 4 and RT 7 in the center of Rutland, follow US 7 north for approximately 5.25 miles and take a right onto Sangamon Hill Road. Follow this road until it ends, then take a left on East Pittsford Road. This road becomes Main Street just past the left turn off for Powerhouse Road. Staying on Main Street, you will enter the center of Chittenden. Mountain Top Road will lead off to the left. Stay straight and this road is now Chittenden Dam Road. Follow the road about 2 miles until you see a sign and road for the boat ramp on the right side, at this point, you will be at the foot of the concrete spillway. Turn right up the boat launch road to the parking area at the dam.

The trail to Congdon's Point begins about a tenth of a mile or so behind the bar gate to the right at the top of the boat ramp. The trail goes left from this old woods road, passes two coves and a large boulder. Keep the water in sight, as the trail may be a little confusing north of the boulder. Congdon's Point is the third and outermost point from the boat ramp. Nude swimmers and sunbathers have been enjoying this spot for years.   

CONFIDENCEPretty ConfidentVERIFIEDNo

DORSET QUARRY
(DORS)

PHOTOTO STATE MAP
TOWNSJAMAICA, MANCHESTER, DORSETLAT, LONLat:43.23625 Lon: -73.08289 Source: Measured Accuracy: Exact

Link to Google Map

STATEVTWATERDorset QuarryTYPEQuarryDESCRIPTION

Beautiful old marble quarry filled with fresh, clean water. Lots of cliffs to jump from. Very popular and well-known local swimming place. There are a few, very interesting sculptures carved into the marble. See how many you can find.

AREASNoneSANCTIONPrivate property but the quarry owners allow public access. Swim at your own risk.FEENoneFACILITIESNoneACTIVITIESSwimming, JumpingPHONENoneCAMPINGCamp across the street at the commercial campground.BATHING SUITSRequiredDIRECTIONS

From Manchester, on RT 7 in south western VT, take RT 30 northwest. The quarry is on RT 30 on the right as you are going into Dorset at the intersection with Kelly Road (dirt). Do not park on RT 30, rather, pull onto Kelly Road heading north and park on the left side of the road. There is room for many cars here.

CONFIDENCEVery ConfidentVERIFIEDYes