Right now
Right now as of Nov 10, 2026
- Status Jamaica State Park's listed season ended on the second Monday in October.
Status note (Nov 10, 2026): Jamaica State Park's listed season ended on the second Monday in October. The park says the West River Trail is open but its slope is still adjusting. What the status labels mean
Hamilton Falls is a 125-foot cascade on Cobb Brook in a State Natural Area within Jamaica State Park, Vermont. The park says it is a 3-mile hike each way from the campground. Swimming is very dangerous and not recommended: the park says more than 12 people have died reaching or leaving the upper and middle pools.
About Hamilton Falls
Vermont FPR lists the Hamilton Falls Natural Area at 211 acres, including the falls and a forest buffer, in Jamaica State Park in the Town of Jamaica. The park covers 772 acres and opened to the public in 1969, per Vermont State Parks.
"Cobb Brook cascades 125 feet down a mountain slope, through a pine-hemlock woodland and into a series of large potholes," FPR says.
FPR adds that there are several falls, and the most spectacular drops 40 to 50 feet into a large pool. It calls Hamilton Falls "unique, dramatic, and dangerous."
Vermont State Parks says the natural area "includes one of the largest waterfalls in Vermont."
About our map pin
Our map pin is the USGS GNIS point for Hamilton Falls, in Windham County. We have no trailhead pin; the hike starts from the park campground.
For other Vermont falls, see Lye Brook Falls near Manchester and Warren Falls on the Mad River, or browse all Vermont waterfalls.
Getting there and parking
Jamaica State Park is at 48 Salmon Hole Lane in Jamaica, about one-half mile from the town center, per Vermont State Parks.
The Depot Street Bridge leading into the park has an 8-ton weight limit with no exceptions, per Vermont State Parks. Check your vehicle weight if you tow an RV.
Fees and hours
Vermont State Parks says day-use and camping fees apply. It lists day-use hours as 10am to official sunset.
Contact
Jamaica State Park: 802-874-4600.
Map and nearby falls
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Hamilton Falls trail: 3 miles from the campground
Vermont State Parks says Hamilton Falls "can be reached by a 3-mile hike (one way) from the campground." That makes about 6 miles round trip by our math.
The park says one trail follows the West River and connects to the trail leading to Hamilton Falls. The West River Trail follows the river upstream for about 2.5 miles to Ball Mountain Dam.
West River Trail conditions
The park says the West River Trail is open and passable, though its alerts also report an active landslide on the trail. The slope is still adjusting, and conditions may change, especially during or after heavy rain.
Natural area rules
The park reminds visitors that the State Natural Area is protected land. Stay on marked trails, leave only footprints and carry out all trash.
Dogs
Pets are permitted throughout Jamaica State Park but not at the Salmon Hole swimming area, per Vermont State Parks. Clean up after your pet.
When to visit
Jamaica State Park's season runs from the third weekend in May through the second Monday in October, per Vermont State Parks.
Status checks
On Nov 10, 2026, the park's listed season had ended. Call the park at 802-874-4600 for off-season conditions.
Dam release weekends
The park says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers usually schedules two recreational water releases a year from Ball Mountain Dam. The park becomes a center for paddling on those weekends.
For 2026, the park listed releases on May 2 and 3 and September 19 and 20.
As of Nov 10, 2026, the park's alerts still say the shuttle will not run during upcoming dam releases. The alert cites an active landslide on the West River Trail. Both 2026 release weekends have passed.
| Height | 125 ftNote: Vermont FPR says Cobb Brook cascades 125 feet down a mountain slope; the most spectacular single fall drops 40 to 50 feet |
|---|---|
| Trail | Vermont State Parks says Hamilton Falls "can be reached by a 3-mile hike (one way) from the campground." A trail along the West River connects to the trail leading to the falls. |
| Difficulty | No official rating. The hike is 3 miles each way, so about 6 miles round trip by our math. |
| Entry fee | Vermont State Parks says day-use and camping fees apply at Jamaica State Park, where the 3-mile hike starts. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed. Day-use fees apply at Jamaica State Park, and the falls are in a protected State Natural Area. |
| Parking | Jamaica State Park; hike starts at the campground |
| Dogs | Vermont State Parks says pets are permitted throughout Jamaica State Park but not at the Salmon Hole swimming area. Clean up after your pet. |
| Swimming | Vermont State Parks says swimming at Hamilton Falls is very dangerous and not recommended. It asks visitors not to try to reach the middle pool. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No official accessibility information found. The falls are a 3-mile hike from the campground. |
| Best time to visit | No official best month. Jamaica State Park's season runs from the third weekend in May through the second Monday in October. |
| Crowds | Vermont State Parks calls the natural area "another popular destination nearby." |
| Managed by | Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (Jamaica State Park) |
Safety and swimming
Vermont State Parks warns: "Swimming at Hamilton Falls is very dangerous and not recommended." It cites strong currents and slippery rocks.
"More than 12 people have died here while trying to reach or leave the upper and middle pools," the park says.
The park says not to climb on the rocks near the falls. It asks visitors not to try to reach the middle pool: "There is no safe way to enter or exit this area."
FPR adds: "Do not take chances on the steep and slippery rocks."
In an emergency, call 911. Our waterfall safety guide has more on staying safe near falls.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Hamilton Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Jamaica.
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Photos
Hamilton Falls FAQ
Is Hamilton Falls open now?
As far as we can tell (Nov 10, 2026), Jamaica State Park's listed season ended on the second Monday in October. Call 802-874-4600 for off-season conditions.
How long is the hike to Hamilton Falls?
Vermont State Parks says it is a 3-mile hike each way from the Jamaica State Park campground, so about 6 miles round trip by our math.
Can you swim at Hamilton Falls?
Vermont State Parks says swimming there is very dangerous and not recommended. It says more than 12 people have died reaching or leaving the upper and middle pools.
How tall is Hamilton Falls?
Vermont FPR says Cobb Brook cascades 125 feet down a mountain slope. The most spectacular single drop is 40 to 50 feet into a large pool, per FPR.
Is there a fee to visit Hamilton Falls?
Vermont State Parks says day-use and camping fees apply at Jamaica State Park, where the hike starts.
Are dogs allowed on the Hamilton Falls hike?
Vermont State Parks says pets are permitted throughout Jamaica State Park, but not at the Salmon Hole swimming area.
Nearby waterfalls
Lye Brook Falls14 mi straight-line, by our mathSeasonal125FT
Doane's Falls44 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
Wahconah Falls48 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen40FT
Falls of Lana55 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
Moss Glen Falls (Granville)61 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
Warren Falls66 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
City guides: Waterfalls near Albany, NY
Sources
- Vermont State Parks: Jamaica State Park (season, fees, pets, alerts, Hamilton Falls safety; read Nov 10, 2026)
- Vermont FPR: Vermont Natural Areas, #13 Hamilton Falls Natural Area (read Nov 10, 2026)
- USGS GNIS: Hamilton Falls, feature ID 1921003 (coordinates, Windham County)
Last verified Nov 10, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (Jamaica State Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.