Waterfalls and Swimming Holes Near Shelburne Falls & the Pioneer Valley

The Pioneer Valley is where Berkshire waterfall country meets river swims and a few calm lake beaches, which makes it one of the easiest western Massachusetts regions to turn into a full summer day.

Use the map to judge drive order, then open each page for short-walk access, parking, and posted swim rules. For a denser Berkshire waterfall stack, see waterfalls in the Berkshires.

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

#1 Gardner Falls — Shelburne Falls

Gardner Falls is a waterfall stop in Shelburne Falls with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#2 Tannery Falls — Savoy

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

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
5-45 min

#3 Bear's Den Falls — New Salem

Bear's Den Falls is a waterfall stop in New Salem with separate arrival and falls pins.

Swim
Waterfall first
Walk
10 min

#4 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

#5 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

#6 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

#7 Mohawk Trail State Forest Beach — Charlemont

Mohawk Trail State Forest Beach is a state-park lake beach in Charlemont with separate parking and shoreline pins.

Swim
Allowed
Walk
5 min

#8 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

#9 Deerfield River near Deerfield Academy — Deerfield

Deerfield River near Deerfield Academy is a freshwater river swim spot in MA with separate parking and water pins (MA, Massachusetts).

Swim
Not recommended
Walk
5 min

#10 Wendell State Forest — Ruggles Pond — Wendell

Wendell State Forest - Ruggles Pond is a state-park pond or lake access point in Wendell with separate parking and shoreline…

Swim
Allowed
Walk
5 min