Thundering Falls

Thundering Falls is said to be the sixth tallest waterfall in Vermont. It is part of Kent Brook which flows out of Kent Pond just north of where the AT and the Long Trail split. At high water it is a magnificent cascade as the stream tumbles 140 feet through a steep and narrow cataract. The falls are also the site of a historic mill powered by the energy of the falling water.

General Information

From the intersection of Vermont Route 100 & Route 4 in Killington, drive 2 miles east to an intersection with River Road on the left. From here drive 1.5 miles to a wheelchair accessible parking lot on the left.

From the intersection of Vermont Route 100 & Route 4 in Killington, drive 2.3 miles north on Vermont Route 100 to an intersection with River Road on the right. From here drive 2.5 miles to a wheelchair accessible parking lot on the right.

Wheelchair accessible parking on River Road in Killington. Boardwalk travels 900 feet towards the falls. 

Additional Resources

Thundering Falls Recreation Guide and Map

Safety Information

For all Emergencies: 911

911 Information: The facility is in the Town of Killington on River Road.

Area Overview

The Green Mountain Club, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Green Mountain National Forest have worked on this project since the mid-1980s when they acquired a property easement across the Ottauquechee flood plain. Major funding was secured by the ATC and the Green Mountain Club and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps began work in 2005.Thundering Falls provides the first universal accessible portion of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont with wheelchair accessible parking on River Road in Killington. The Thundering Falls relocation also gets rid of a dusty road walk on Thundering Brook Road, adds great views of the Ottauquechee Valley and the falls, protects the resource, and takes advantage of flat terrain to make a stretch of the AT accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

Starting from the River Road parking area the AT passes through open Ottauquechee River flood plain across 900 feet of boardwalk built by the Green Mountain Club. The trail than ascends to the falls viewing platform via an accessible switchback and spur trail built by the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. From here the AT continues its ascent through northern hardwood forest to Thundering Brook Road where a small parking lot can be found.