About this spot
Packer's Falls is a well-known swimming hole on the Lamprey River in Durham, reached via Packers Falls Road off Route 108, with a small roadside pullout on Bennett Road holding five or six cars. The falls tumble over ledge into a deep pool split by the road bridge, and smoothed rock has worn natural water slides that locals and UNH students use alongside the popular bridge jump. It sits within town-owned Packers Falls Park, a small conservation area with a short streamside path, but the swimming area itself is unofficial and unsupervised — no lifeguards, restrooms, or fee. Submerged rocks and fast current after rain make depth and footing unpredictable, so check water levels and scout before jumping, especially during high spring flow.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.