Best Massachusetts Swimming Holes

Massachusetts swim culture around waterfalls is real, but it is uneven: some spots are mostly for wading or scouting, while others can support a fuller swim when the water level is right.

Treat this list as a planning map, not a guarantee. Open each page for what the water is doing, what the landowner expects, and where slippery rock or cold shock is the actual risk. Pair it with top Massachusetts waterfalls when you want more scenery than swim time.

Interactive map of Massachusetts for the ten ranked guides on this page. Marker numbers match the list; tap a pin for a preview and a link to open the full field guide.

#1 Umpachene Falls — New Marlborough

Umpachene Falls is a waterfall stop in New Marlborough with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#2 Chapel Falls (Chapel Brook Reservation) — Ashfield

Chapel Falls Trail (Chapel Brook Reservation) is a waterfall stop in Ashfield with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#3 Tannery Falls — Savoy

Tannery Falls is a waterfall stop in Savoy with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
5-45 min

#4 Sages Ravine (Lower Falls) — Mount Washington

Sages Ravine (Lower Falls) is a waterfall stop in Mount Washington with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#5 Wahconah Falls — Dalton

Wahconah Falls is a waterfall stop in Dalton with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#6 Trap Falls — Ashby

Trap Falls is a waterfall stop in Ashby with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#7 Whirley Baths — Charlemont area

Whirley Baths is a freshwater swim spot in Greenfield, Williamstown, Charlemont with separate parking and water pins (Greenfield, Williamstown,…

Swim
Not recommended
Walk
5 min

#8 Goldmine Brook Potholes — Huntington area

Goldmine Brook Potholes is a freshwater swim spot in Springfield, Westfield, Huntington, Chester with separate parking and… (Springfield, Westfield,…

Swim
Not recommended
Walk
5 min

#9 Race Brook Falls (Lower Falls) — Sheffield

Race Brook Falls - Lower Falls is a waterfall stop in Sheffield with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#10 Glendale Falls — Pittsfield area

Glendale Falls is a waterfall stop in Pittsfield, Hinsdale, West Worthington with separate arrival and falls pins (Pittsfield, Hinsdale, West Worthington,…

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
8 min