About this spot
Bartlett Falls (also called Bristol Falls) sits on the New Haven River just off Lincoln Gap Road, about a mile north of Bristol via VT-116, with free roadside parking on the gorge rim. A bedrock shelf plunges roughly 14 feet into a 40-by-120-foot pool with ledges for jumping and a hidden alcove behind the curtain of water. Widely called Vermont's most popular swimming hole, it draws packed weekend crowds; weekday mornings before 10am offer more space. The real hazard is the crowding itself, with jumpers landing on swimmers below, plus slick rock and shifting water levels after rain. Access is unrestricted and free, with no lifeguards on duty.
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.