Bartlett Falls — Attraction in Bristol

Beautiful place to explore, no matter the time of year. If you want to do it more solo without swimming, hardly anyone is there during fall/spring time. I've encountered 0 people during those times. Summer on the other hand you may have to drive far up to find a place to park!

As others have said, many good swimming holes and people tend to respect your space. Past the big waterfall there is a great swimming hole next to slanted rocks that are like "slides" where you can sort've let the water current push you into a deep pool and swim back. Though of course water levels have been inconsistent this summer so the last time the slide was out of order but I was still able to sit on the rocks and let the current flow around me.

The top of the waterfall definitely isn't safe to explore. Please be wary of the currents. Many parts of this river are unexpectedly deep with fast currents and big rocks. There are definitely areas where it's difficult, if not impossible to cross. Generally yes this is common sense but some folks genuinely might not know. There is no one but you and your party there to make sure you are safely exploring and swimming. Please take care! 😊

The base of the waterfall seems very safe; it's a very large pool with no rocks/currents. But the last time I went it was very cold. It's a heavily shaded area, but it had also recently rained and the temp was lower 70s so take that as you will.

When I went swimming during a week where it was in the upper 80s, the temperature in the river was perfect, very comfortable and fun to swim in. The further beyond the waterfall you go, the water gets warmer because it's a higher altitude/in the sun longer. The water is also very clean when it's...

TRAGEDY THERE A very beautiful, very over used & dangerous place. People leave litter all over and park/walk around like no one goes up the road. It is actually a very busy, narrow, twisty mountain road that gets a lot of local traffic. Very limited parking and hundreds of people there on a hot summer day. If you do not have all four wheels off the pavement you WILL get a ticket-and deservedly. I am amazed that no one has been hit by a car there-yet. Sadly, 6/21/25 a young man drowned there. Not sure exactly what happened but it took several hours for search and rescue to retrieve his body. The water depth changes from year to year- DO NOT jump without checking the water...

I have not been there in a few years again but I visited this place twice in the past and both times it's just breathtaking scenery. It's a beautiful swimming hole. Or actually several spots along that river you can swim. If you get to the far side of the creek away from the road you can actually walk in behind the waterfalls unless they're at full flow from heavy rain or something then it would just be too...