Lesser-Known Connecticut Swimming Holes
“Lesser-known” here means quieter or lower-profile on the calendar, not unposted bushwhacks. Every row still links to a real place page with parking and access notes.
Expect tighter posting in Connecticut than elsewhere in New England. Read swim lines, parking, and seasonal closures in each guide before you drive. For the main swim list, see Best Connecticut Swimming Holes.
#1 Cotton Hollow Cascades — Glastonbury (posting and access vary)
Cotton Hollow Cascades is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#2 Greenleaf Falls — Stamford area (lower-profile brook scene)
Greenleaf Falls is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#3 Westledge Trail Cascades — Simsbury (ledge pools; read posting)
Westledge Trail Cascades is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#4 Chaplin Natchaug River swimming spots — eastern brook corridor
Chaplin Natchaug River Swimming Spots is a Connecticut freshwater public-access page using a conservative arrival pin and a…
- Swim
- Treat this as a freshwater public-access stop; swim only if the site and conditions clearly support it
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#5 Blackledge Falls — East Glastonbury
Blackledge Falls is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#6 Dean's Ravine Falls — Canaan area (quieter off-peak)
Dean's Ravine Falls is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#7 Nonnewaug Falls — Woodbury
Nonnewaug Falls is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#8 Chaplin area brook swims — eastern Connecticut
Swim: allowed. CHAPLIN AREA is a Connecticut freshwater public-access page using a conservative arrival pin and a matched…
- Swim
- Treat this as a freshwater public-access stop; swim only if the site and conditions clearly support it
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#9 Dividend Falls — Rocky Hill area (short approach)
Dividend Falls is a Connecticut waterfall page using a conservative arrival point and a matched falls pin for a…
- Swim
- This is better treated as a scenic waterfall stop than a swim spot
- Walk
- 5-15 min
#10 Hopeville Pond — Griswold (quieter pond swim when open)
Hopeville Pond State Park is a Connecticut freshwater freshwater beach/lake page using a conservative arrival pin and a…
- Swim
- Swimming is part of the appeal here, but scout water clarity, footing, crowding, and any posted advisories before entering
- Walk
- 5-15 min