SplashTrailWaterfall discovery guide
Thundering Falls, Killington, Vermont

Thundering Falls

Killington, Vermont

A waterfall in Killington, Vermont, managed by Green Mountain National Forest. Appalachian Trail from the River Road lot.

Short walk

Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

About Thundering Falls

OverviewThe HikeFacilitiesTips & Safety

Overview

  • Waterfall heightKent Brook tumbles 140 feet through a steep, narrow cataract; "said to be the sixth tallest waterfall in Vermont" (Forest Service).
  • Hike detailsAppalachian Trail from the River Road lot: 900 feet of boardwalk across the Ottauquechee floodplain, then accessible switchbacks and a spur to a viewing platform (Forest Service).
  • ParkingWheelchair-accessible parking lot on River Road, Killington: 1.5 miles from US Route 4 or 2.5 miles from VT Route 100 (Forest Service).
  • PetsNot verified. No rule found on the managing agency's page.
  • SeasonNo best season stated. "At high water it is a magnificent cascade" (Forest Service).

No sourced map point for this falls yet.

Managed by: Green Mountain National Forest (USDA Forest Service), with the Green Mountain Club and Appalachian Trail Conservancy

The Hike

Route
Appalachian Trail from the River Road lot: 900 feet of boardwalk across the Ottauquechee floodplain, then accessible switchbacks and a spur to a viewing platform (Forest Service).
Difficulty
Universally accessible: the only universally accessible part of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont (Forest Service).

Facilities

Parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking lot on River Road, Killington: 1.5 miles from US Route 4 or 2.5 miles from VT Route 100 (Forest Service).
Fees
Not verified

Tips & Safety

Swimming
Not verified No managing-agency statement found, so we don't say swimming is allowed.
Pets
Not verified. No rule found on the managing agency's page.
Season
No best season stated. "At high water it is a magnificent cascade" (Forest Service).

Safety

  • Wet rock near waterfalls is very slippery, even when it looks dry. Stay back from edges and off the tops of falls.
  • High water after rain or snowmelt makes crossings and pools dangerous. Turn back if a crossing looks deep or fast.
  • Daylight is not a safety guarantee. Plan your time around the route, the weather and your group, and carry a light.
  • Check the managing agency for closures and current conditions.

Not verified

No managing agency publishes: Swimming, Formal difficulty rating, Dog rules. We leave these out instead of guessing.