4 swimming hole and creemee pairings: A guide to a perfect Vermont summer afternoon

Nothing says Vermont summer like the holy matrimony between a swim and a creemee on a hot, sticky day.

Whether you are the daring jumper who revels in the adrenaline rush of a chilly plummet or the lizard type who prefers to lay back and sunbathe on warm rocks, these swimming holes have something for you – even if it’s just the creemee stop on the way home.

If you find yourself at any or all of these spots, remember to practice good judgment − especially when jumping. Follow any and all posted signs, stay away from edges unless you are jumping, and maybe follow your mother’s advice: swim first, then creemee.

Bristol Falls and Village Creeme Stand

Also known as Bartlett Falls, this spot on the New Haven River is booming on warm days– for good reason. Parking is plentiful in the pullouts along Lincoln Road. From your car, you can walk straight to the cliff top and jump, though the tallest jump is not for the faint of heart. Bristol Falls also features smaller jumps and rocky river access which makes it a great spot for groups with various levels of jump enthusiasm.

There is a concrete slab for relaxing opposite the cliffside and a long stretch of swimmable river that meets a small waterfall. You can swim under the fall, if you are brave, and enter a little cave to splash in before making the trek back towards the cliffs. For a more low key scene, drive further up Lincoln Road and find your own flat rock, though be wary of sudden drop offs and smaller falls.

Bristol Falls, 880 VT-17, Bristol, VT.

You can’t miss Village Creeme Stand just before Bristol’s main street, on most routes to and from the falls. It is a bright yellow shack with plentiful picnic tables, a setting of a quintessential small town summer. Village Creeme Stand has classic creemee flavors, sundaes, and shakes, as well as a grill menu where you’ll find American fast food classics like chicken tenders and cheeseburgers. You can dip fries into your ice cream, if you’re into that sort of thing. Beware of the sizing at this stand – anything over a small spirals dangerously upward, and in the heat, it’s a race to get to the cone.

Village Creeme Stand, 41 West St., Bristol, Vermont, open every day 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Warren Falls and Canteen Creemee Company

Thrill seekers, check out Warren Falls, the Vermont phenomenon that is essentially a natural water park. Follow the trail from the right side of the parking lot all the way to the forested edge (signage points you toward “Cascades”) until you get an aerial view of deep, clear water flowing into small pools. Highlights include a wooden log serving as a balance beam between two boulders, a makeshift water slide to the left of a small waterfall, boulders to sit on or jump from, and a cliff whose halfway point marks a safe yet heart racing drop. The most precarious part of the falls site is navigating the rocks around the pools. They become especially slippery when wet and crowded on hot days and weekends, so consider going at an off-time and leaving your water shoes behind– bare feet lend themselves to greater traction at this spot.

Warren Falls, 3919 Vermont 100, Warren, Vermont.

Following your swim, drive 10 minutes into Waitsfield to Canteen Creemee Company, which is anything but your average creemee stand. In addition to exceptional creemees, Canteen has a full food menu including fried chicken sandwiches, a delicious banh mi, and even shrimp ceviche layered with fresh mango and avocado. The creemee menu has the classics: vanilla, chocolate, and maple, as well as rotating flavors which might include hibiscus, rose, pineapple, coconut, or even basil. The sundaes are decadent and massive – sharing friendly. Canteen acknowledges its long wait lines pridefully, reminding customers that they make everything fresh, so prepare to eat dessert first.

Canteen Creemee Company, 5123 Main St., Waitsfield, Vermont. Open Thurs-Mon, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Triple Buckets and Little Gordo

Though the first Burlington swimming spots that come to mind might be North beach or Leddy’s beach, consider driving an extra 30 minutes to Richmond, Vermont, home of Triple Buckets swimming hole on the Huntington River. The spot has great rocks for sunbathing and idyllic swimming conditions; it stays cool and fresh even through the muggiest heat, with a gentle current that pulls you between pools.

The Google Maps location will take you right to the top of a gravelly staircase next to a pull-out, marking the start of the trail. It is only a short walk until you get an aerial view of the three pools that comprise Triple Buckets. Parking is limited; take the first pull-out spot you see and walk along Dugway road until you hit the trail. As the Huntington Gorge just a half mile downstream has claimed many lives over the years, it is imperative you stick to the established Triple Buckets swimming hole rather than forging your own path downstream.

Triple Buckets, 146-1626 Dugway Road, Richmond, Vermont.

Head back to Burlington to Little Gordo Creemee Stand, Taco Gordo’s sister shop that opened during the pandemic. A trendy take on the old-school creemee stand, Little Gordo’s walk up window offers fresh flavors from Thai tea to nutella, ice cream blended with candy bits called “wizards,” choco tacos, and even cookie sandwiches. The stand becomes a popular sidewalk hangout spot at night, with upbeat music and a hanging disco ball that even makes waiting in the long line on a sticky summer night feel cool.

Little Gordo Creemee Stand, 71 S. Union S., Burlington, Vermont, open Weds-Sun 3-10 p.m..

East Middlebury Gorge and Vermont Maple Market

Alongside the mountainous Vermont 125A highway runs the Middlebury River, with a perfect outlet for swimming less than 10 minutes off of Vermont 7A. Immediately after crossing the first bridge en route to Ripton, turn right into the pull-out parking slot. You can get down to the water from either side of the bridge, but crossing back over the bridge and walking until you hit a dirt footpath is the most accessible option. Some highlights of this spot include the swim up into the gorge, the graffiti on the inside of the bridge (a three  snouted dog saying “Dog Bless America”), and the reasonable jump from the highest flat rock.

East Middlebury Gorge, Middlebury Gorge Concrete Arch Bridge, Middlebury, Vermont.

When heading north on Vermont 7A to and from the gorge, look for a lawn littered with brightly colored Adirondack chairs. It doesn’t get more Vermont than the maple creemee, and the Vermont Maple Market located in the Woodware lot on Vermont 7A highway has one of the best around. Their menu is no-fuss, only featuring maple creemees, but that’s really all they need. Made using locally sourced pure Vermont maple, it is an excellent pick-me-up dose of sweetness couched in rich maple flavor.

Vermont Maple Market, 1124 US 7, Middlebury, Vermont, open every day 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Contact Kate Sadoff at 310-849-1695 or ksadoff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont swimming holes near great creemee stands. 4 spots to try