Warren Upper Pools

Warren · Mad River Valley

An upstream Mad River alternative above the headline falls.

Swimming

Scout-first swimm…

Access

Upstream ledge scramble

Parking

Limited

Water

Moderate

Footing

Slick

Light

Bright

Difficulty

Reward

Risk

Open On Map Conditions Nearby

Good fit

Visitors who like scouting quieter upstream pockets

People already headed to the Warren Falls corridor

Hot-day swimmers avoiding the busiest main drops

Skip

The Mad River is still moving hard

You want signed, formal river access

You are bringing a big group with coolers

Before you go

Use the Warren Falls pull-off and move carefully on polished ledge.
This is an overflow-style alternative, not a separate developed site.
Depth and current can change fast after rain or release-driven flow.
Stay off the slick edges above the main drops.
Expect less structure and more scouting than at the main pools.

Photos

Nearby Spots

Warren Falls450 ft awayWaterfalls
Mad River roadside stop in Warren, short access, cold water, and slick rock.View Guide
Punch Bowl Swimming Hole3.9 mi awaySwimming Holes
Punch Bowl Swimming Hole is the better-known private-access Mad River Valley swim page with real local history and strong word-of-mouth awareness. It needs a careful posture because the access norms are different from public river corridors, but it is still one of the most important remaining swim pages in the valley.View Guide
Ward's Swim Hole4.6 mi awaySwimming Holes
Ward's Swim Hole is one of the softer-named Mad River Valley local swim pages, useful mainly as regional depth for people looking beyond the headline Warren and Waitsfield spots. It should stay honest as a lower-confidence local river stop rather than a polished marquee destination.View Guide
Lareau Swim Hole5.8 mi awaySwimming Holes
Mad River off Route 100 near Waitsfield—short approach, cold water, mixed waders and jumpers, busy fair weekends.View Guide
Mad River Path – West Greenway6.3 mi awaySwimming Holes
Meadow Road trailhead—multi-stop Mad River greenway; USGS Moretown trend is valley-wide, not depth at one entry.View Guide
New Haven River Upper Pools9.3 mi awaySwimming Holes
New Haven River Upper Pools are the quieter river pockets upstream of Bartlett Falls, with ledgy shelves, small slides, and a less concentrated feel than the main plunge area below. This is still a New Haven River visit, so flow changes matter, and the reward comes from scouting the calmer pockets rather than committing to the busiest jump lines.View Guide