Old City Falls
Worth a detour
Is it plungeworthy?
A 2-tier tiered on Old City Brook.
The details
- Tiers
- 2 drops
- Type
- Tiered
- Watercourse
- Old City Brook
- Coordinates
- 43.88154, -72.37032
About Old City Falls
Old City Falls is a 25-foot tiered in Vermont, on Old City Brook. The water falls in 2 distinct tiers.
It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.
Plungeworthy rates Old City Falls 6.9/10 — worth a detour. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.
What you'll find
Old City Falls drops 40-45 feet in a plunge-then-cascade sequence through a 100-foot-deep gorge, at the site of Strafford's earliest 1767 settlement — hence the 'Old City' name. It's a genuinely scenic, boulder-strewn falls that feels bigger than its footprint given the depth of the surrounding canyon.
The 5.2-acre town preserve was built out with real amenities for a free site — a picnic shelter, tables, and an enclosed restroom — plus two deep, clear swimming pools at the base carved by the falls itself. It's a hidden-gem quality spot: well-maintained but far less trafficked than Bartlett or Warren.
Access is a short, moderately steep path from a dedicated parking area — under ten minutes to the canyon bottom — making it one of the easier falls in the state to reach despite the deep gorge setting.
Getting there
- Trailhead
- Old City Falls Nature Preserve, off Old City Falls Road
- Parking
- Dedicated small parking area, free
- Road
- I-89 to Sharon exit 2, VT-132 east about 7 miles to South Strafford; entrance on the left just after the bridge
- Hike
- 0.2 mi round trip (Short and moderately steep)
- Heads up
- Gated during the off-season — visitors can park outside and walk in around the gate.
When to go
A quieter, locals'-favorite swimming and picnicking spot; best as a warm-weather day-trip stop given the picnic shelter and restroom facilities.
Rules & fees
- Hours
- Gated in the off-season; walk-in access remains
Researched from Town of Strafford — Old City Falls · Vermont 251 Adventures — Old City Falls. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Old City Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.
Where it is
Planning a visit? We want your photo.
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Before you go
The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.
Common questions
How tall is Old City Falls?
Old City Falls drops about 25 feet across 2 tiers, in Vermont.
Where is Old City Falls?
Old City Falls is a waterfall in Vermont, at 43.88154, -72.37032.
Is Old City Falls worth visiting?
Worth a detour — Plungeworthy rates it 6.9/10.
Gear for the trip
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