CARVER FALLS
West Haven, Vermont
| RATING: |
3.0 / 5.0 stars (Great) |
(see below for larger image and additional photographs) |
| STATE: |
Vermont |
| COUNTY: |
Rutland |
| TOWN: |
West Haven |
| PARK: |
Carver Falls Hydro Station |
| PRIVATE PROPERTY: |
Yes (but the general public is welcome to visit) |
| TYPE: |
Plunges and cascades below a dam |
| HEIGHT: |
80-foot total drop |
| WATER SOURCE: |
Poultney River |
| WATERSHED SIZE: |
Large |
| TRAIL LENGTH: |
Less than 0.1 mile |
| TRAIL DIFFICULTY: |
Easy to initial views; moderate to views of lower falls |
| HIKING TIME: |
2 minutes one-way |
| ALTITUDE GAIN: |
Down 10 feet to initial views; down 40 feet to views of lower falls |
| WHEN TO VISIT: |
April to November |
| SWIMMING: |
Not Possible and/or Prohibited |
| DELORME ATLAS: |
2007: Page 28, C-4 (the falls are not marked on the VT atlas)
2015: Page 62, A-2 (the falls are not marked on the NH/VT atlas) |
| HANDICAP ACCESS: |
Yes (only the views of the upper falls and dam are accessible) |
| DOGS ALLOWED: |
Yes |
| COST TO VISIT: |
Free (as of 2017) |
| LENS TO BRING: |
Wide-angle (14-35mm) and/or standard (35-70mm) |
| ALTERNATE NAMES: |
Carvers Falls, Great Falls, Dry Falls |
| GPS-TRAILHEAD: |
43.626333, -73.307167 |
| GPS-WATERFALL: |
Upper falls & dam: 43.626878, -73.307051
Lower falls: 43.627416, -73.307527 |
| COMPASS: |
225° excluding declination (the falls face northwest) |
| INCLUDED IN BOOK?: |
No, the falls are not currently included within the guidebook |
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THE FALLS
The Green Mountain Power (GMP) company of Vermont manages about 46 dams (as of 2017). Several of these dams are located where some of New England's largest falls once flowed naturally. There isn't much that can be done about the current state of these falls (the dams aren't likely going anywhere), but GMP has done a fine job of allowing visitors to see the dam and falls up close. I really do think it's commendable when these hydropower companies spend the time and effort to develop parks and observation areas around their properties, and Carver Falls is a fine example of it. There's an observation deck providing a side-view of the dam and some major cascades below it. Further downstream, a rough and narrow path leads to a view of the even more impressive 50-foot lower falls. Downstream of those falls, you'll find some lofty rock walls and a wide channel of water. Once you see both falls you may find yourself wondering how scenic this place must have been hundreds of years ago.
TRAIL INFORMATION
Follow the edge of a chain link fence for 100 feet and the dam, falls, and a handicap-accessible platform will be visible on your right. From here you can see the entire dam and much of the falls. For a view of the more impressive bottom section of the falls, take a left and make your way down to the base of a tall black tower. There's a rough path in the woods behind the tower that leads right to an elevated view of the bottom falls. Watch your footing carefully while hiking in this area as the drop-offs are insanely steep. This path was also moderately overgrown during my last visit here.
There another waterfall accessible from the same trailhead as Carver Falls, but you need to bushwhack to it. This waterfalls is described in the Vermont Waterfalls guidebook by Russell Dunn.
DIRECTIONS
From the junction of US-7 and US-4 in Rutland, take US-4 west to exit 2. Take a left at the end of the offramp to jump onto VT 22A south. Follow VT22A south (Washington St) for 0.9 mile and turn right onto West St. Follow West St west for 1.5 miles (crossing over the Poultney River after 1.2 miles) and turn right onto Manchester Rd. Follow Manchester Rd for 1.7 miles and bear right at a fork onto Carvers Falls Lane. Drive 0.5 mile on Carvers Falls Lane and park in a pull-off on the right side of the road. Don't block the gate to the hydro station. This trailhead is actually in New York, but the falls are shared by both New York and Vermont.
UPDATES SINCE THE 2ND EDITION
NONE NOTED.
If you know of any updates to this waterfall, or notice any errors either on this website and/or within the New England Waterfalls guidebook, please send me an email at gparsons66@hotmail.com or leave a Facebook comment at the bottom of this page. Updates to all of the waterfalls in the latest edition of the guidebook can always be found here: book updates
OPTIONAL HIKES
the lower falls of Carver Falls, Vermont
the dam at Carver Falls, Vermont
Carver Falls, Vermont
the dam at Carver Falls, Vermont
the dam and penstock at Carver Falls, Vermont
INTERESTED IN VISITING MORE WATERFALLS IN NEW ENGLAND?
The 3rd edition of the New England Waterfalls guidebook contains 552-pages of detailed information on hundreds of waterfalls throughout all corners of New England. This 3rd edition has been completely updated and it is the first to be printed in FULL COLOR! Click on the image below to explore some sample pages of the guidebook on Amazon.com.
TIPS FOR VISITING WATERFALLS & SWIMMING HOLES
Here are some tips to help ensure that your trip to New England's waterfalls and swimming holes will be a safe and enjoyable one:
- DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS - When you visit waterfalls, you should consider bringing all of the following: (a) bug spray; (b) food/snacks; (c) water/sports drinks; (d) camera/smart-phone; (e) guidebook/trail map; (f) daypack/backpack; and (g) hiking shoes, hiking boots or watershoes. A full day hiking packing list can be found here.
- CONSIDER BUYING WATER SHOES - You won't see too many people using them, but watershoes are fantastic pieces of equipment that can make your trip to waterfalls and swimming holes safer and more enjoyable. Merrill and Keen make some fantastic watershoes (here are some great ones from Merrill: womens / mens).
- LEAVE NO TRACE - When you visit waterfalls and swimming holes, you'll often see some trash and sometimes you'll even find clothing left behind by others. It's really, really sad, and it irks the heck out of us. Won't you consider carrying out some of trash and clothing left by others when you leave? That would leave the spot more beautiful for the next person. Bring a trash bag and be a hero!
- PRIVATE PROPERTY - Many waterfalls and swimming holes are located on private property and so we are truly fortunate that many landowners allow us to enjoy them. If you want to ensure that they stay open to the public, please do your best to leave no trace. If you see a sign that says 'Private Property', turn around and find another waterfall to visit or a different place to swim.
- BRING A DSLR CAMERA AND TRIPOD WITH YOU - If you want to take high-quality photographs of waterfalls, your smart-phone just won't cut it. Get a DSLR camera, a tripod, and learn to master the art of waterfall photography.
- SCOUT FIRST, SWIM SECOND - Never enter a swimming hole without first scouting it, even if you see somebody else swimming in it. Stop and access the risks based upon the depth of water, the power of the current, evidence of slippery rocks, and other safety factors.
- CLIFF JUMPING - Cliff jumping is dangerous. Like, seriously dangerous. Understand the risks before you partake in this activity. Many have died from doing this in New England. Here is a list of all known deaths at waterfalls and swimming holes in New England.
- PLEASE DON'T BUILD ROCK CAIRNS - Please do not build new rock cairns at waterfalls or swimming holes. Cairns are a strong reminder of human presence, and don't we all want to see waterfalls in their natural state and glory? Photographers get particularly annoyed at seeing cairns, so please resist the urge to build them.
- DON'T RELY ON YOUR GPS TO GET YOU TO THE TRAILHEAD - Waterfalls don't have addresses, so relying on your GPS to get you to a trailhead is great way to get yourself lost. You need a guidebook, a road atlas, and/or a hiking map to visit the vast majority of waterfalls in New England. Also keep in mind that waterfalls are often located in wild areas, where smart-phone map apps and car GPS units may not work at all.
- WATERFALLS IN SPRING - The best time to visit waterfalls is generally in the spring during the annual snowmelt (which is April to June). However, most waterfalls will often look great for several days after a significant rain storm.
- HELP KEEP THE ULTRA-SECRET SWIMMING HOLES A SECRET (FOREVER) - If you find some ultra-secret swimming holes, please do your best to keep them a secret. Do not post their locations online or wildly share directions or photos with others. All of the swimming holes that are included in the guidebook and online through this website are the well-known swimming spots. There are many more holes that are much further off the beaten path, but they deserve a chance to stay wild and pristine.
- DON'T SCRAMBLE UP WATERFALLS - So many people been seriously injured and killed in the waterfalls of New England. Many of these folks got too close to a waterfall and slipped and fell. Don't become a statistic: stay far back from the edge.
- WEAR TRACTION IF YOU VISIT WATERFALLS IN WINTER - Visiting waterfalls in winter can be rewarding, but there is often a higher element of danger. You may need crampons, snowshoes, and/or some other form of traction (like Microspikes) in order to safely hike to waterfalls in winter.
- SUPPORT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONSERVE WATERFALLS & SWIMMING HOLES - There are some organizations in New England that work diligently to conserve and maintain waterfalls and swimming holes. Please consider supporting these organizations, either with their trail maintenance projects or with monetary donations. Here are three excellent organizations engaged in this extremely important mission: the Trustees of Reservations, the Vermont River Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy.
HELPFUL LINKS
Here are some helpful links to help you explore and enjoy more waterfalls and hikes throughout New England:
- Waterfalls of Connecticut = link
- Waterfalls of Maine = link
- Waterfalls of Massachusetts = link
- Waterfalls of New Hampshire = link
- Waterfalls of Rhode Island = link
- Waterfalls of Vermont = link
- Best Waterfalls in New England = link
- Best Swimming Holes in New England = link
- Top 25 Day Hikes in New England = link
- Top 25 Family-Friendly Day Hikes in New England = link
- Waterfalls Near Boston, Massachusetts = link
- Waterfalls Near Lincoln, New Hampshire = link
- Waterfalls Near North Conway, New Hampshire = link
- Waterfalls Near Stowe, Vermont = link
- Waterfall Photography Tips = link
OTHER WATERFALL GUIDEBOOKS
In addition to the New England Waterfalls guidebook, there are several other guidebooks that can help you find waterfalls and swimming holes in this region:
- Connecticut Waterfalls (1st Edition: 2014) = link
- Hiking Waterfalls in New England: A Guide to the Region's Best Waterfall Hikes (2nd Edition: 2022) = link
- Hiking Waterfalls Maine: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes (1st Edition: 2020) = link
- Vermont Waterfalls (1st Edition: 2015) = link
- Waterfalls of the White Mountains: 30 Hikes to 100 Waterfalls (3rd Edition: 2019) = link
WATERFALLS ON FACEBOOK
Join the growing communities of waterfall aficionados on Facebook! You can share your photographs, follow the adventures of other waterfall hunters, and find new places to explore:
- Request to join the "New England Waterfalls" community > link
- Request to join the "New Hampshire Waterfalls" community > link
- Request to join the "Northeastern Waterfalls" community > link
- Request to join the "Vermont Waterfalls" community > link
- Request to join the "Waterfalls of the United States" community > link
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And if you'd like to follow the New England Waterfalls page on Facebook, click here.
ASK A QUESTION / LEAVE A COMMENT / PROVIDE AN UPDATE:
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