Where and How To Safely Swim This Summer

Ask any Vermonter to share favorite summer memories, and chances are you’ll hear the words “swimming hole.” For eons, we have been drawn to waterfalls and gorges for their mesmerizing, ever-changing flow, the roar and thud, luxuriant green mosses, and quiet beauty. Thanks to the miracles of 500 million years of geologic change, Vermont’s pools and cascades are graced with a kaleidoscope of pebbles, pools, riffles, and deep potholes. These shady retreats are great places to cool off – whether swimming with kids, taking a dip after a hike, reading from a rocky perch, or just relaxing beside a babbling brook.

On the heels of the latest heat wave, it’s tempting to jump into cool water or take an afternoon dip in a swimming hole. As thousands of Vermonters head to their favorite swimming hole with friends and family, find yours using Vermont River Conservancy’s interactive guide to rivers where you’ll discover places to swim, paddle, fish, and explore.

When you head to the river this summer, make sure you’re prepared to stay safe, especially because the impacts of climate change are making Vermont’s favorite summer pastime more dangerous than ever before. Each spring, days can reach 80°F when water is still cold and running high, a recipe for disaster. Even the strongest swimmers can be overwhelmed by water that’s too cold and too swift to be safe. After years of back-to-back floods, we’ve all seen murky waters carry large trash and equipment downstream – objects that can lurk unexpectedly below otherwise calm waters. What may appear to be “deep enough” or “shallow enough” may be misleading (even when your feet can touch the pebbles and rocks!).

Father and daughter walking in river. Photo by Evan Kay

To have fun at your favorite swimming hole, Vermont River Conservancy has tips to help make sure your summer fun doesn’t end in disaster:

• Dip a toe. Check the water temperature before jumping in. Is it too cold?
• Always go with a buddy! It’s more fun with a friend, and you can keep each other safe.
• Stay afloat. Everyone should always wear life vests when boating, and ensure children have proper floating when swimming.
• Look-for-the-log: Watch out for logs or other debris under the water. You never know what’s lurking under strong currents.
• See foam? Go home. Currents that aerate the water and create bubbles are not safe, even for the strongest swimmers. No one can float in air-filled water. (This is distinct from natural foam that sits atop the edges of some water bodies).
• Stay out of rivers for at LEAST 48 hours after heavy rain. Why? Days after heavy rain, there are far more pollutants and toxins in the water. Plus, murky water makes it harder to see what hazards might be under the surface.
• Always have a Water Watcher: Children should never be left unattended. One adult can be assigned the “water watcher” if other adults want to relax, read a book, or swim. 

Want to see lists of sites to visit in your region? Check out our Central Vermont and family-friendly swimming hole itineraries.

Central Vermont Swimming Holes Itinerary
Family-Friendly Swimming Holes Itinerary
Swimming Hole Resources
Vermont Swimming Holes Webinar
Water Safety in Vermont

*First printed in The Bridge on July 14, 2025