Bingham Falls

Bingham Falls is a powerful 30-foot plunge into a deep, circular pothole carved from dark metamorphic rock in the Stowe area of Vermont. The falls are fed by the West Branch of the Little River as it squeezes through a narrow slot in the bedrock before exploding into a jade-green swimming hole surrounded by towering rock walls. The pothole's smooth, sculpted walls are a testament to thousands of years of erosion, and the clear, cold water is irresistible on a hot summer day.

The trail from the Route 108 parking area is short — just 0.3 miles — but it descends steeply through a forest of birch and hemlock to the gorge below. Several unofficial trails branch off to different viewpoints along the gorge, including upstream cascades and additional swimming pools. The terrain is rugged and the footing can be treacherous on the steep descent to the water, especially when wet. This is not a maintained state park trail, so use caution.

Summer is the prime season for swimming, though the water stays quite cold even in August. Fall foliage adds brilliant color to the gorge canopy. The falls are located between Stowe and Smugglers' Notch, making them an easy stop on the way to or from the famous mountain pass. The parking lot on Route 108 can fill quickly on summer weekends — arrive early.