15 Waterfalls That Capture Vermont’s Natural Beauty  

Scattered across mountains, forests, and village edges, Vermont’s waterfalls deliver the kind of beauty that lingers. Some are easy roadside stops, and others reward those who hike a little. These 15 falls capture something timeless, and each one offers a reason to slow down.

Moss Glen Falls (Granville) 

A narrow, dramatic cascade drops 68 feet just off Vermont’s scenic Route 100. Surrounded by lush moss and ferns year-round, this stunning spot is easy to reach. Moss Glen Falls in Granville is so picturesque that it’s been featured in multiple tourism calendars.

Moss Glen Falls (Stowe) 

One of Vermont’s tallest waterfalls cuts through the forest with a multi-tiered descent nearly 125 feet high. Located in CC Putnam State Forest, Moss Glen Falls in Stowe becomes a frozen spectacle in winter and draws photographers during the vibrant peak of fall foliage.

Middlebury Falls   

Middlebury Falls sits at the center of town, dropping 18 feet beneath the Main Street bridge. Once used to power early mills in the 1800s, the waterfall remains a lively focal point. Visitors can enjoy views from nearby shops, especially during community light displays.

Lye Brook Falls 

A 4.7-mile round-trip hike through Lye Brook Wilderness leads to one of Vermont’s tallest waterfalls. Lye Brook Falls drops 125 feet over a rugged cliff surrounded by rare high-elevation forest. Moose tracks often appear on the trail, adding a touch of wild charm.

Buttermilk Falls

Just outside Ludlow, a short walk brings visitors to a beautifully layered cascade deep in the forest. Buttermilk Falls, located inside Okemo State Forest, features a milky rush of water across three tiers. Locals love it for summer swims and peaceful picnic breaks.

Big Falls  

Big Falls, located on the Missisquoi River in Troy, is among Vermont’s largest undammed waterfalls by volume. Though swimming isn’t safe due to its strong currents, the surrounding open fields and bursts of wildflowers make it a beautiful place to pause and admire.

Bingham Falls 

Hidden in Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Bingham Falls offers a dramatic plunge that crashes 25 feet into a deep rocky gorge. This powerful cascade is surrounded by massive boulders and tall pines. In colder months, the entire scene turns beautifully icy and surreal.

Texas Falls 

Inside Green Mountain National Forest, jagged granite ledges funnel water through a forested gorge. Texas Falls, named by early settlers, not the state, can be safely admired from a nearby viewing platform. It’s especially popular during autumn’s brilliant leaf-peeping season.

Thundering Brook Falls 

Thundering Brook Falls stands out as one of the most accessible stops along the Appalachian Trail. A 125-foot boardwalk leads visitors through wetlands to a view of the falls. It includes rare wheelchair access and attracts birds like the hermit thrush and veery in spring.

Hamilton Falls

A towering waterfall near Jamaica State Park roars down a 125-foot drop and draws hikers year-round. Known as Hamilton Falls, it’s reached via the West River Trail. Stories of strange happenings surround this spot, which takes its name from a local family and not Alexander Hamilton.

Sterling Falls Gorge 

Near Stowe, Sterling Falls Gorge slices through a tight canyon filled with short, surging waterfalls. A quick hike through Stowe Land Trust takes you there, where signs tell the story of the rocks below. In spring, rare orchids quietly bloom beside the path.

Falls Of Lana

Deep within the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, a series of cascades spills over 100 feet. These are the Falls of Lana, where nearby Lake Dunmore adds even more beauty. Casual visitors often miss the upper tiers, which sit above a former hydropower dam.

Emily’s Bridge Falls  

Emily’s Bridge Falls trickles beneath the historic Gold Brook Bridge in Stowe, forming a small seasonal cascade. Known for its connection to Vermont’s most haunted covered bridge, the falls add a subtle, eerie beauty that draws curious visitors and ghost hunters alike.

Hell Hollow Brook Falls

In Groton State Forest, a remote waterfall known as Hell Hollow Brook Falls only reveals its full power after heavy rain. Surrounded by wildflowers in spring and dense greenery in summer, this hidden spot offers one of the state’s most peaceful forest escapes.

Bartlett Falls 

Just outside downtown Bristol, a wide 15-foot cascade crashes into a natural swimming hole popular with locals. Known as Bartlett Falls or “Bristol Falls,” it stays cold all year. People often come to sunbathe or ride the current in tubes during warmer months.