The Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area is a 455-acre preserve in Burlington that introduces visitors to wildlife management through self-guided trails, various education programs, and an informative visitor center. The attractions of the management area include a beaver marsh, observation tower, and a set of three waterfall plunges on Negro Hill Brook. Each of the three plunges here is short in total drop, very narrow, and partially hidden between plates of rock. Other published sources state that this waterfall is rather unimpressive. Negro Hill Brook Falls may not be tall, powerful, or particularly scenic, but it is still impressive to us, especially in high water. As an added bonus, the trail to the waterfall has many “stops,” where information is provided on the diverse biology of the park. There is also a beaver marsh, several beaver dams, and a boardwalk trail that leads out towards a beaver pond. To make the most out of your visit, be sure to do the entire loop described below. This is one of the most rewarding easy hikes in the entire state.

The falls are accessed by following the Beaver Dam Trail. If you are facing the visitor center, head right towards the dirt road on your right, where the trail begins. The Beaver Dam Trail follows a rolling and well-maintained dirt road for 2.6 miles. After about 1.4 miles of hiking, a “Waterfall” sign will direct you onto a spur trail on your right. The falls are a short distance down that trail. When you return, continue the loop of the Beaver Dam Trail back to the visitor center and parking lot. Dogs are welcome on the trails, as long as they remained leashed at all times.

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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