About this spot
Locally known as Bartlett Falls (also called Bristol Falls), this swimming hole sits on the New Haven River along Lincoln Road about a mile outside Bristol, VT. Roadside parking is on Lincoln Road roughly 0.2 miles from its junction with VT-116/17; a short path drops down to the pool. The river falls about 14 feet into a deep, jade-green pool tinted by mineral-rich bedrock, with rock ledges on the north side used for jumping and a shallower area downstream for wading. A ledge on the south side lets swimmers duck in behind the falls. It's one of Vermont's most popular swimming holes, so expect crowds on warm weekends; slippery rocks and variable spring runoff are the main hazards.
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.