WaterfallNear Me

Thundering Brook Falls

Rutland County, Vermont

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Rutland County, Vermont
Access status
National forest accessible trail route and parking documented
The walk
0.3 mile one way (Trail Finder)
Ground & access
Boardwalk and gravel path. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy gives maximum grades of 7 percent on the boardwalk and 9 percent on the gravel, with slight transitions between surfaces and a wet stretch near the falls.
USDA Forest Service: Thundering Falls

Thundering Brook Falls, also called Thundering Falls, drops about 140 feet through a narrow cataract on Kent Brook in the Green Mountain National Forest. From the River Road parking area, the Appalachian Trail crosses the open Ottauquechee River floodplain on about 900 feet of boardwalk, then climbs by an accessible switchback and spur trail to a viewing platform at the base of the falls. This is one of the few sections of the Appalachian Trail built to accessibility standards. Return the same way, or continue up the Appalachian Trail about 0.2 mile to a small parking lot on Thundering Brook Road.

Plan your visit

River Road parking area in Killington, Appalachian Trail boardwalk across the Ottauquechee River floodplain, then the accessible switchback and spur to the Thundering Falls viewing platform

Trail Finder gives 0.30 mile one way from the River Road parking area to the falls. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy lists the accessible section as 0.6 miles.

Boardwalk and gravel path. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy gives maximum grades of 7 percent on the boardwalk and 9 percent on the gravel, with slight transitions between surfaces and a wet stretch near the falls.

Where to start

River Road parking area in Killington. From the junction of VT 100 and US 4, drive 2 miles east to River Road on the left, then 1.5 miles to the lot on the left. The Forest Service describes it as wheelchair accessible parking; the Appalachian Trail Conservancy says it is packed dirt with no ADA spaces.

Timing & water

No seasonal closure is mentioned. The falls are most powerful at high water. Pets are permitted on a leash (Trail Finder).

Before you go

Trail Finder lists no fee.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Vermont

Waterfall location

Rutland County, Vermont.

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