There are several extraordinary features of Bartlett Falls. A 40-foot wide, 120-foot long sparkling pool below the falls is one of them. With its inviting yellow-green waters, and depths ranging from ankle-deep to well over-your-head, this pool has been known to attract five hundred people a single day! The second is the falls themselves. A block-style falls, about 15 feet in height, drops over a broad overhanging ledge, creating a large alcove behind the falling water. The flat slabs of rock to the side of the falls allow you access to this alcove. From within this alcove, a new perspective on waterfalls is formed. All sounds are drowned out and all you can see are the walls of the alcove and the power of the river falling in front of you. There are few waterfalls in New England where this is possible, none as appealing and easy to get into as Bartlett Falls. If the current is weak enough, you can jump or swim through the waterfall and be carried slowly downstream through a gorge. Bartlett Falls is also commonly known as Bristol Falls or New Haven River Gorge. We strongly suggest when visiting this waterfall that you bring a bathing suit and lunch, and plan to spend a few hours basking in the sun. If the popularity of the falls is too much to handle, more pools, and a quieter atmosphere, can be found both upstream and downstream. Regardless of how popular this place is, if you visit on a hot day, you are sure to cherish this place and will want to return to it many more times throughout your life.

There are a number of trails stemming from the road. Some will lead you to the top of the gorge for a birds-eye view of the falls. Others will climb down to the level of the river, where you will find one of the largest swimming holes in the state. This swimming hole probably provides the best perspective and photographic opportunity of the falls, so try to time your visit for summer or early fall, where water levels are typically lower. If the water level is indeed low enough, it is challenging put possible to swim up to the falls and explore a cave behind the plunging water. There is enough room here for several people. If you decide to attempt this, please take extremely caution as the ledges behind the falls are exceptionally slippery. Do not attempt in moderate or high water. Bartlett Falls is one of only two waterfalls in New England that we are aware of that you can easily get behind. There are more interesting natural features over the course of the next 0.25 mile upstream of the main falls. There are many slides, cascades and pools to be enjoyed, including the natural waterslide known as Circle Current. These areas can be considerably more private than Bartlett falls, but there are almost always a few people around on a hot summer weekend.

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

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