Waterbury Park and Ride
Park & ride
4.2 (39)
201 Lincoln St, Waterbury, VT 05676
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
RiverVT
Mad River Area
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan the historical Moretown Gorge stop without confusing it with other Mad River Valley sites, hotel amenities or a current water-quality clearance.
Water type
River
Access
Informal
Fee
No current destination-wide fee schedule established. Do not infer free parking or admission from the hotel record or archived description.
Best season
Plan around current access, weather and river information. No season guarantees suitable gorge swimming or a safe water entry
Nearby towns
Moretown; Waitsfield And Warren Are Other Mad River Valley Communities
Water body
Mad River At The Historical Moretown Gorge Stop; Other Tributaries Are Separate Destinations
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Moretown; Waitsfield And Warren Are Other Mad River Valley Communities
Place-name search
Moretown Gorge, Moretown, Vermont
Map searches for the named location. Confirm the entrance and current access with the park before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Mad River Area: start by choosing a specific stop
The preserved listing name covers a broad valley, but its archived directions identify Moretown Gorge. Treat this page as planning for that historical stop, not a single entrance to every pool, tributary or beach in the Mad River Valley.
What the sources establish
The Mad River Valley Chamber describes a rocky river swimming destination in Moretown village and limited parking. Its description does not establish present safe depth, supervision, a legal roadside space or permission to jump. The town's valley page also names Ward's Swimming Hole on Route 100B. Do not assume those names identify the same entry.
Retire the automatic pull-off directions
The archive describes a Route 100B bridge, a small pull-off and a gorge coordinate. None has been independently confirmed as a current lawful arrival or water entry in this review. Confirm the chosen parking arrangement and signed approach before travel. A general tourism suggestion to walk from town is not permission to park anywhere, block a road or cross private land.
Build a realistic river-day plan
Monitoring is not an all-clear
Mad River Watch describes a long-running volunteer monitoring program across the river and tributaries. Its program page links historical data and mentions 2025 volunteer dates; that is not a current 2026 result for Moretown Gorge. Check the site, sampling date and scope of any report. Historical low bacteria readings, clear-looking water and warm weather do not certify today's conditions.
Leave jumping and sliding out of the recommendation
No safe jumping depth or natural-slide route has been established. Avoid fast or rising water and keep a sightseeing-only alternative when conditions or permissions are uncertain. This guide does not certify swimming ability, child suitability, lifeguards or a step-free approach.
Plan amenities and other stops separately
Current toilets, drinking water, fees, camping and accessible river entry at the gorge were not established. Ask about the specific destination and bring essentials. Warren Falls, Ward's Swimming Hole, Lincoln Brook and Waterbury reservoir parks need their own access and rules checks; they are not interchangeable with this historical approach.
Why the gallery is pending
The saved listing match belongs to Mad River Lodge, a hotel on Mill Brook Road in Waitsfield. Its rooms and parking cannot be presented as gorge facilities, and its photographs have been held before preparation. A correct river gallery still needs source association and visual review. For general visitor planning the chamber lists 802-496-3409, which is not a gorge management or emergency line.
Getting There
Choose Moretown Gorge deliberately rather than navigating to the broad Mad River Area name or Mad River Lodge. The chamber places the gorge in Moretown village and notes limited parking. Confirm a lawful parking area and signed approach before travel. Archived directions describe a Route 100B bridge and a roadside pull-off; their current legality and exact water-entry route are not verified. Do not substitute Ward's Swimming Hole, Warren Falls or a reservoir beach without planning that separate destination.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Chamber notes limited parking in Moretown village. Its general walking suggestion is not permission to park anywhere or enter private land. Other valley stops have separate access arrangements.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
51 S Main St Car Park
Parking lot
51 S Main St, Waterbury, VT 05676
Perry Hill Trailhead
Hiking area
4.8 (87)
River Rd, Waterbury, VT 05676
Hunger Mountain Trailhead
Hiking area
4.8 (73)
Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Mad River Path Millbrook Trailhead
Hiking area
3 (6)
485 Harris Hill #539, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Little River State Park
State park
4.6 (401)
Water Reservoir, 3444 Little River Rd, Waterbury, VT 05676
Popular spot for hiking, biking & camping, plus boat rentals, fishing & swimming at a reservoir.
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Gold Brook Campground, LLC
Campground
4.5 (182)
1900 Waterbury Rd, Stowe, VT 05672
Public showerRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Waterbury Center State Park
State park
4.7 (358)
177 Reservoir Rd, Waterbury Center, VT 05677
90-acre park on a reservoir offers picnic sites, boat rentals, a nature trail & a swimming beach.
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Mad River Area
Which swimming stop does this area listing describe?
The archived directions identify Moretown Gorge. The broad Mad River Area name should not be treated as a single entry to every swimming site in the valley.
Can I use the old bridge pull-off and coordinate?
Their current legality and precise water-entry route were not independently verified. Confirm lawful parking and signed access for the chosen stop rather than using the archived approach automatically.
Is Ward's Swimming Hole the same place?
The town names Ward's Swimming Hole and the chamber separately describes Moretown Gorge. This review does not establish that they share an entrance; plan the intended destination explicitly.
Does Mad River Watch mean swimming is safe today?
No. Check the sampling site and date of any report. The program page and historical records do not certify present water quality or gorge conditions.
Can I jump or use natural rock slides?
No safe jumping depth or slide route was established. This listing does not recommend jumping or sliding, even where tourism copy mentions rocks.
Are hotel amenities or free parking available at the gorge?
The saved Mad River Lodge record is an unrelated hotel. Do not transfer its parking, Wi-Fi or facilities to the river. Confirm gorge amenities and any charges separately.
Highlights
Moretown Gorge distinguished from broader valley
Source-linked regional planning
Water-monitoring context without safety guarantees
Hotel and river identities separated
Unique Features
Moretown village river-gorge setting described by the chamber
Mad River Valley destination context
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump from rocks, use improvised slides or infer safe depth by scouting a landing zone
- Avoid fast, rising or flood-affected water
- Clear appearance and historical monitoring results do not prove present water quality
- Keep a sightseeing-only alternative and do not assume supervised swimming
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Moretown's municipal page identifies the town as a gateway to the Mad River Valley and describes the Mad River Byway. This regional context does not establish one shared manager for all swimming sites.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph from lawful stable viewpoints. No correctly associated gallery for this gorge has been approved; lodge images are not river-access evidence.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect private land, posted paths and lawful parking. Carry out litter and avoid damaging river banks.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Plan around current access, weather and river information. No season guarantees suitable gorge swimming or a safe water entry.
Difficulty Level
Exact approach difficulty and step-free access not verified. Gorge currents and slippery terrain need a conservative plan.
Fee
No current destination-wide fee schedule established. Do not infer free parking or admission from the hotel record or archived description.
Facilities
Hotel parking, Wi-Fi and room facilities do not describe the river. Confirm toilets, drinking water, changing facilities and mobility access for the chosen stop; bring essential supplies.
Activities
River scenery and site-specific recreation when permitted; no jumping or sliding recommendation
Phone
802-496-3409 (Mad River Valley Chamber visitor information, not a gorge management or emergency line)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No overnight permission established for the gorge. Arrange lawful lodging or a separately managed campsite; do not camp at a river pull-off by assumption.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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