Quechee Gorge Reviews

4.4

2 of 11 Best Attractions in Quechee


Reviews

By Melissa D |

Nice little stop while passing through town. You can view the gorge from the bridge or you can take a couple different hikes to see more.

By twosoups |

Stopped in at the Gorge Visitor's center on the east side of the road. Nice building with very clean restrooms and lots of info on this nature site. Run by volunteers so please make a donation. Easy (mostly downhill) to the gorge. You can hike 3/10 of a mile to see the dam where the river flows into the gorge. You can hike about the same distance in the opposite direction to see where the river leaves the gorge. We spent about an hour total going to the dam and back to the visitors center. Very scenic. Would recommend.

By Milford_PaMooseman |

I stopped here with my wife and her friends on a fall trip. The state park was closed for the season so we only got to see the gorge from the bridge. It was beautiful with the fall colors on some of the trees. It is worth driving by and seeing it.

By Jeannene A |

Known as "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon" we walked the trail to the top of the gorge and looked down into the area. The waterfall was beautiful, the dam area a great spot as well. Stairs, woodlands, rocks, water, it was doable, Very glad we stopped here. Plan to come back in the warmer weather to see more of the village.

By Barbara L |

The gorge is an amazing sight. Really brings home the power of water. The trIal along side the gorge is well maintained and not a difficult walk for anyone fairly fit. It's worth a trip even if just viewed from the bridge on Rt. 4. There is plenty of parking available.

By WitchyYork |

Park up and walk across the bridge for some amazing views of the gorge, made all the better by rain yesterday and foliage in October.

By AWB |

We stopped by the Quechee Gorge after visiting the Sugarbush Maple Farm in Woodstock, VT. It was definitely worth the stop! The trails were closed because of the recent flooding in the area, but we parked at the visitor's center and walked down to the bridge. There is a sidewalk on both sides of the bridge but the traffic was quite busy. The sites here were absolutely beautiful and there were places in the fence that allowed for taking pictures without the fence wire. So glad we took this extra time.

By Sue H |

We hiked down the gorge, several people were out on the rocks. A handful were swimming.
After seeing the water above the dam not sure I would swim in it. It was very swampy.
We also hiked to the dam.

By c0verdale |

Stopped in on our way through Vermont and very much enjoyed our visit.
They have a visitors' center with parking and several options for hiking.
Just walking across the bridge offers up great views.
Unfortunately we did not have the time to take a hike down but will be the next time we're in the area.

By Demi C |

Really beautiful spot to go for a lovely hike and for a dip if it’s warm enough, bring a lunch and a blanket or if a bench is available take a load off! honestly I can’t wait to go back.

By shaunturner2017 |

Stopped on our way to the Antique Mall. Most of the trail is overgrown and you can't see the gorge, but it is worth stopping to look at. We preferred some of the smaller areas out of the way in the area to hike to.

By Renee N |

Me, my fiancé and brother camped here last week of August! We had an amazing time! The sites are large and spaced out, the rangers are friendly and outstanding! The bathrooms and showers are clean. It’s dark and tranquil at night and makes you feel like you are in the deep woods without actually being far off from civilization! Very people and awesome place to camp, my favorite! We hated leaving, but this is our new yearly camo spot from now on!

By mail4rv2 |

This trail is well-kept. For hiking down into a gorge, it is not too rigorous for coming back up. When you get to the bottom, you can walk out onto rocks and look back up at the bridge...great view! Quechee has a nice Visitor's Center with parking. A trail that starts at the back of the building leads down to the gorge trail.

By Joyce R |

We loved viewing this beautiful natural gorge. There are fantastic views in all directions. Well worth a visit. There are many shopping opportunities nearby.

By Janice B |

We visited the gorge on a whim and it was well worth the detour. My son (5 1/2) loved the hike down to the bottom and climbing on the rocks. The views were gorgeous and well worth the 1/2 mile walk down and back. It is on a hill so if you don’t have mobile kids, plan for carrying the extra weight upwards.

By Nathan G |

I don't know what the criteria is to call something a gorge, but this wasn't that impressive. The trail to the south has very few views of the gorge and ends where the gorge ends so it's very anticlimactic. The best view is from the bridge which looks nice, but I wouldn't drive out of my way to see it.

By Evette F |

Nice view. Breathtaking. Waterfalls and Hiking trails to the river are available. You can choose from two trails. One allows you to swim in the river.

By Patrick Threatt |

Beautiful views worth a short stop. Quechee Gorge State Park is easily accessible off of Hwy 4. The hiking paths around the gorge are mostly easy hiking with wide paths. However, the best views of the gorge are from the bridge. That being the case, you really do not needs to walk the trails unless you want that experience.

By Kristi H |

I took my 2 young adult girls to Quechee Gorge while visiting Woodstock.

We parked by the Quechee snack bar, located an entrance to a walking path, and began our journey.

We wanted to experience the Gorge "up close and personal," so we decided to do the hike to the bottom. The path is well defined with plenty of signs to help you find where you want to go. The path is also VERY steep....walking back to the top was more strenuous than we anticipated, but it was worth the extra effort.

Here's a list of a few things to keep in mind, especially for people visiting the first time:

1.) The water in mid summer is PERFECT for swimming, so bring a swim suit & beach towels. You will also need to wear good shoes with soles that are good for rough, steep paths. Flip flops are out of the question. Most people took off their shoes before jumping into the water.
2.) The area is great for children of all ages (even infants) and dogs. There are many "mini" rock formations that fill with a bit of water and create the perfect space for younger children to safely splash around.
3.) BRING DRINKING WATER with you.
4.) If you want, you can bring food/drinks and have a picnic down there. Just make sure to take your trash with you and dispose of it properly when you leave.
5.) There usually is a light current, and a few small "water falls." Some people had inflatable "tubes" that they used to cushion themselves to ride down the small waterfalls, or just float along with the current.
6.) Mobile phone service is weak at the bottom of the gorge. Be prepared for that.
7.) Bring a camera! The area is absolutely beautiful and you can get some great photos.
8.) If you plan to stay a while and don't want to pack/carry food, there is a great snack bar near the top of the trail. They have a surprisingly large selection of food...I had a grilled ham & cheese that was delicious.
9.) There were a few bugs (mosquitos), but really not bad at all. If you are sensitive to bugs/bites, bring some insect repellant.
10.) There are plenty of shady spots to relax in, but when you aren't in the shade, on a hot day, the sun can be intense enough to cause a sunburn. Bring waterproof sunscreen.

That's all I can think of for now.

If you are in the area and have the opportunity, I highly recommend paying the Quechee Gorge a visit.

By margaretf4 |

We stumbled on this natural wonder while driving to a different site. We circled back later in the day and checked out what the fuss was about. Park at the Visitor Center and walk on the sidewalks provided to the lookouts over the gorge. Great views, and they even have cut out's in the fence for better picture taking. Breathtaking, even on our super cloudy day.

By Clara79 |

A stop by the side of the road, in a decent sized car park, meant we were able to see this gorge in all its fall colour glory.
Well worth a stop and you should stop by the gift shop for lots of stuff you never knew you needed! I did buy some Vermont cheese and maple syrup though that were very nice.

By TAfun123 |

Currently (October 2024), significant roadwork is blocking the view of the gorge from one side (the better side) of the bridge. Still a nice view and trail on one side but it m looks like it will be awhile before the view on both sides of the bridge will be available.

By buffalove631 |

We visited Quechee Gorge during our trip from Stowe back to Long Island, and it made for a perfect pit stop. We spent about 1.5 hours here but you could easily spend more or less time depending on your plans. It was a very easy walk more than a hike, and we saw lots of small children, elderly people and some people in wheelchairs who all seemed to be enjoying their time. So this is a nice stop for people of all ages and abilities.

By dfchen |

It makes for a convenient pit stop and leg stretch on a road trip. I wouldn't go out of your way for it otherwise -- the gorge is nice in a lot of these pictures but you can't really experience these views because of fencing. The best view of the gorge is from the bridge, which is fortified with 10 feet of the wire fencing sadly, so it's not that satisfying. If you follow the trail north, there is more ugly wire fencing (at least not super high) but the tree line is such that you can't really get a really good good view. It all clears once you et to the dam, but the dam isn't as compelling as the gorge.
The trail going south the bottom of the gorge is steeper, but my 70 yo mom was able to do it fine. The bottom of the gorge is definitely the best part.

By Jo P |

Quechee Gorge is awe inspiring and incredible!! A group of us walked the path down and some of us swam in the cold refreshing water. The hike up is a bit much if you're not used to walking up steep hills. We stayed at the Quechee Camp Ground and one night it poured and thundered so loud the echo from the gorge was scary and thrilling all at once. It was an experience I will never forget.

By maxboston11 |

This is my second visit in two years visiting Quechee gorge and I must say it never disappoints, especially during foliage time around Columbus day weekend. For a day trip from Boston I highly recommend this destination. The roue to take is 93N, then 89 N and Route 4W neat Hartford VT. All along 89N you would see ample color (with right fall timing of the drive) and nice vistas and at Quechee gorge you get stunning views of the gorge and the OttaQuechee river. You have a nature trail that is very refreshing about 0.4M to the south right next to the river along the gorge with nice small rock strewn vista point at the end of the trail. Back on roue 4W, you can probably drive a bit father into the heart of south central vermont for about 12 miles or so to Long Trail brewing company, taking in the beautiful scenery with close cut foliage studded hills on either side with the Ottaquechee river cutting in and out alongside in a silvery stream. You would drive through Woodstock village and also pass a covered bridge on the left on the way to the brewery. Quechee gorge area has a couple of eateries I can talk about - 'Dana's by the Gorge' that might appeal to you if you want table service and 'Pizza Chef' a self service casual place.

By Tracey M |

The best view of this gorge is from the bridge that goes over the gorge. The bike down to the water is notbad, but hiking back up is a little challenging. At the end of the bike you can get in the water, but it was ice cold. The dam was also a nice bike and th. To see.

By AlpinecentralNH |

The view from the bridge is outstanding. Worth stopping. And at the bottom of the .4 mile hike there's a great place to enjoy the bottom of the gorge and even swim. But the walk down is completely spoiled by chain link fence the entire way. What could have been pristice and gorgeous is, well, pretty ugly. For that reason I wouldn't put the gorge hike on a "must do" list, nor put it as one of VT's best attractions.

By Jim T |

Even if you stop for a 5 minute view, this is a stop worth making. There are trails below, and souvenir shops nearby, but the attraction can be viewed for free from the bridge crossing over it. Great photo opportunity.

By Marina M |

Beautiful easy hike down to the bottom of the gorge with beautiful views from the bottom. Climb back up, and look down from the bridge at where you’ve been. Recharge with snacks from the Cabot store at the nearby mall.

By Fran246 |

Driving through Quechee and we saw people looking over the bridge. We stopped and amazed at the view, it was amazing. Not much water at the time because of a bit of a drought but still beautiful. We saw the path and walked all the way down a little less than half a mile down hill. We loved it.

By Lynn R |

This was a pretty stop that didn’t require much time. The bridge has a walkway on each side. There are also a few holes in the fence so you can take pictures.

By Tam L |

Start off by looking down the bridge for an overall view. There are little openings in the wired fence for taking photos. Then head off for a short hike to view the river as well as the dam. Beautiful well paved trail with no stairs. Family friendly. 0.4 miles to the river and 0.6 miles to dam/waterfall. Both worth while and completely accessible.

By Anja B |

We passed the Quechee Gorge on our way to our campground. you can park right next to the bridge and walk over it to get a good view; there is also a trail right next to it. the sunset was great. we went there a second time to see it during the day. super nice, nothing too fancy but worth a stop.

By Dava M |

The Gorge is very easy to get to from the main road. You can park by the snack bar and walk across the bridge and look down. The scenery is beautiful but the loud traffic on the bridge kind of takes away from it. I'd recommend going to the trailhead instead and taking a walk from there. You can go left, down to the bottom of the gorge or to the right, which takes you past the bridge, to a dam, and to a big pond. Because we went near dinnertime, we only went as far as the dam but it was a lovely walk and pretty easy. You could do it with a stroller if you needed to. The views of the dam and "waterfall" underneath are very nice. There were some inclines but my whole family, including children ages 7 and 10, handled the trail very easily.

By Antal |

Great views and the walk is not onerous. The water was rushing along at some speed so it was pretty to look at.

By Donna P |

Gorge is a very beautiful view and there is a trail you can walk, no charge for this attraction. Water flowing thru the gorge is pretty to watch.

By jcraig10 |

We thought this was a really neat stop. We walked up to the dam and also down to the river. It was so pretty especially with the foliage backdrop. We went around 9 on a Friday morning and only passed a few people. Everyone was respectful of the mask rule. I would stop here again!

By stephenskier123 |

Nice place to stop but to be honest a bit over rated.
Stop in the car park, walk across bridge and take a few photos.
Twenty mins max!
Few restaurants at car park and the food looked really good.

By oneupstatenewyorker |

If you're going through Quechee, and see a somewhat narrow bridge, it's worth a stop - pull over and just walk to the center of the short bridge, and take in the view of the gorge - it's fairly breathtaking. Lovely to see in the Fall, as others have said, when the leaves have turned, which enhances the stunning view! Best of all, it's free!

By GeorgeC11 |

I’d say the main appeal of this place is the well kept footpaths, which allows one to have a nice walk around. The gorge itself is alright but not really a major natural feature. The walk down to the bottom is worth it, and I imagine in summer would be nice for a swim. Well worth climbing round the corner of the rocks for a view of the whole gorge and bridge.
The gift shop is cool and the people in there were very friendly, so worth popping into there!

By SRQScottie |

Very easy to miss this if you aren't aware. There wasn't much signposting approaching from the West side. We didn't hike the trails, only parked and walked across the bridge, taking in the view from both sides.
Definitely worth the effort to stop by though. The river was very low which made the rock even more amazing. Impossible to imagine the sheer force that could have created this crevice. Nature is truly amazing.

By Sue N |

It was a rainy day, so we did not venture on the trail and stayed on the bridge. It is a beautiful view and is probably more impressive in the autumn with the changing foliage. Nonetheless, it was beautiful to see. Glad we stopped to take a look.

By Kaylor05 |

Myself, my husband and 11 year old girl went on 7/22/18. The view from the bridge is breathtaking, and the hike down to the bottom of the Gorge is easy. There are a couple great spots to swim there, the water was wonderful! We had such a good time!

By Randy L |

There is a place along Route 4 that a visitor just needs to take a minute, stop, and gasp in awe--just before taking a picture. This is the Quechee Gorge. This is an absolute "must" for the photo to match all photos. PS Not far away is a motel and place to eat that are both "gems." See "The Public House" and "Quality Inn-Quechee.

By Lady Gigglemug |

Beautiful and chaotic is how I’d describe visiting the Gorge. It’s definitely a site worth visiting- the gorge is dramatic - it’s Vermont’s deepest gorge at 165 feet! But it’s incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike and bus after bus of visitors came and went during my short time there.

To see the gorge from above, the best views are from the bridge by the gift shop (possibly the only views from above). But it’s fenced and you can only get clear views from the little holes in the fence they’ve added - so it’s not unobstructed - and this is where it gets crazy crowded.

There’s also a small trail next to tue gift shop and bridge - it’s just over 1/4 mile and takes you to the Quechee Gorge Dam - it has a beautiful waterfall and some nice views - well worth the little walk - but there aren’t any gorge views from this trail. It’s a well maintained trail, mostly flat apart from some stairs at the entrance and there’s some picnic tables and benches along the way.

There’s a visitor center a short way down from the gift shop with very limited parking but it’s walkable from the larger lot at the gift shop. The gift shop has food but it’s super crowded. The visitor center also has a small gift shop and info on the area.

There appeared to be another trail next to the visitor center that takes you down into the gorge, closer to the bottom, but it was so crowded that I decided to skip it. I visited in early October which is one of the busy seasons - it was so crazy crowded I almost didn’t stop but I’m glad I got to see it. It was free to park and walk around.

By Milford_PaMooseman |

I took my wife, son and his family to view the gorge from the top and then we took a hike to the bottom of the gorge. The trail was relatively easy except for a few rocky spots. It was a good way to get a good perspective of natures power. My grandchildren ages 6 and 9 had no problems on the trail. Our two dogs loved the walk and getting wet in the river. The views and hike is worth the trip.

By Melissa G |

The Quechee Gorge is an amazing place to visit if you are in the area. It's not just a river bisecting 2 states, but a beautiful example of a New England landscape.

By Elizabeth L |

We were there last week and walked the trail after talking to the host Peter. Peter gave us great information about which trail to take, things to see. He was very nice. The trail was easy to walk and lots of benches to rest. Took some great pictures and had lots of fun.

By Lin0515 |

I'd read that this is one of the most beautiful sights in Vermont and was really looking forward to it. It's a gorge with a creek running through it. Pretty but not in my book a major attraction. There are lots of other equally pretty sights in Vermont. If you're driving over the bridge, stop and take a look, but it's not worth going out of your way.

By SueMu |

Nice hike, not very long. Great views of the gorge. Visitor center is nice, very friendly. Nice way to spend some time on a beautiful day.

By 655donl |

A nice, wide, smooth trail runs along the gorge, with a nice swimming spot at the bottom. Expect plenty of company on nice summer days.

By mj2837 |

Nice easy walk down the gorge. Unfortunately it rained the whole time we were there. The place would probably took terrific in the fall.

By Evann728 |

I am limited in my ability to walk nowadays and so I did not hike down the trails at Quechee Gorge but still felt the magic of the place. You can park and walk leisurely across the bridge on one side of the road, taking in the view and then cross the road (the traffic will stop for you) and walk on the other side for a different spectacular view. Everybody talks to one another and so you hear stories and can even make a new friend. I felt energized by my visit and will walk again across the bridge when next I visit, for I know there will be a next time.

By Hokiechip |

Wow. What a wonderful view.

Nice parking areas on both sides of the road and openings in the fence to make it easy to take pictures.

Well worth the drive.

By Krista P |

This was a quick stop for us to see the gorge per a recommendation from a hotel receptionist. We were glad we stopped to see the gorge as it was absolutely beautiful. There is a small visitor center and many trails. The trails were still snow/ice covered when we visited so we did not walk the trails but we would definitely done that if it was a the right season.

By Elaine F |

The beautiful gorge is worth the hike. It’s steep but short Worth every step. The view is lovely. If not able to hike. Walk the bridge on rt4. These views are also spectacular and much easier

By KathrynV59 |

Nice gentle hikes along the gorge. Quaint little Vermont town. Free & very enjoyable. Make sure to walk along both pathways. One leads to the bottom of the gorge & the other to the dam & rapids at the top along with Dewey Pond area.

By Lucy |

Bathroom area to change into bathing suits. Friendly volunteer at this Nat'l Park, short walk to gorge. Wonderful place to take a quick dip.. Should really have a Ranger at the water site as the rocks are very slippery and there was a few elderly visitors w/ canes trying to walk along the slippery rocks abutting the quick flowing waters. Took a dip as did husband and daughter.. cold and refreshing but quick current! About 20 people there and it was cloudy , cool and water cold. Nice gift area with many hiking/AT/ outdoor rec books and coffee/tea/snacks offered. Large maps pinned on wall for area hikers . Historical books and information in lower level along with glassed cased display with local artisian items. Bathrooms large and clean. Great stop.

By JoanneGarland |

Having driven over the bridge occasionally over the years, we had never stopped to enjoy the gorge. This time we planned a day trip, with some hiking.

We found breathtaking views from the bridge, which we walked several times, then took a 0.4 mile trail south, downhill to the bottom of the gorge, and came back up.

The trail is broad and gentle, easy for anyone who likes to walk (we’re 74 and fit). Along the way there are occasional benches for rest, and places to view the gorge from the safety of a chain link fence above it. The surrounding woods are peaceful.

At the bottom, one can scramble down to the rocky gorge base, wade in the water, and enjoy the sunshine.

Additional trails go off to the north, and in the other side of the bridge one can walk 100 yards to the Nature Center and its Canopy Walk, but we will save that venture for another day.

By Conor R |

If you’re passing by, it’s worth stopping. Walk across the bridge and view the gorge. It is beautiful. Great shopping nearby also.

By cprbartonct |

Always worth a stop - as is the gift shop next to it. If you're in good shape, take the time to walk to the bottom along the trail that starts at the gift shop. But it's a long ways back up.

By bevo25039 |

This was a great stop. Whilst here, we went into the gift shop and they told us about Quechee Bridge, take the short drive, well worth it.

By OurOldHouse1790s |

The view of this gorge never gets old. On this trip we hiked to the bottom and both ends of the gorge. Quite a different perspective looking up from the water level. We stayed at the VT state park campground just a short walk from the gorge. It was dry camping but with restrooms. A very nice state park by all standards. We spent one afternoon hiking then swimming at the water hole below the gorge. A little tough getting in and out of the water for a 60 something person but doable and enjoyable after hiking along the gorge. On the way back to the campground we took advantage of the ice cream shop up on the road. The next day we amused ourselves by driving up to Woodstock, checking out a covered bridge and visiting some local stores. We also explored some of the back roads off of Rt 4. It was a relaxing day driving around this region in Vermont. We wanted to come back in early October to see the foliage but rain cancelled that trip. We’ll be back next year for the foliage.

By retiredJB |

The last time I was through here, we couldn't go on the bridge because of high winds funneling through the gorge. The fence does have cut-outs so that you can take photos.
Step lively and use the crosswalk going across the street from the parking lot. Don't assume large motorhomes towing cars coming around the bend are going to be able to stop.
There is a nice gift shop and they make some fine grilled hotdogs with grilled split-top buns for less than $4.

By Polly H |

We hiked down to the bottom of the gorge, 0.4 miles from the parking area. It was a popular hike for people and dogs. Worth seeing, but the view from off the highway bridge, looking down toward the gorge is maybe more dramatic. It’s a pleasant stroll with lots of places to rest, with benches. You should have decent footwear to do this, not flip flops. There is decent wading at the bottom but footing is a bit precarious

By JustJoe6953 |

If you want a beautiful scenic spot this is it. At the end of the trail is this picture perfect spot. Rough stones but worth the effort just for the view.

By TM |

Beautiful view from the bridge.
Took the short hike with was beautiful through the woods.
A total must see!!

By pisc0011 |

We stopped to check out the gorge but just a warning that the best view is on a very busy road. There is a walking area but it is still unnerving being so close to the road and traffic. The view is unbelievable and majestic! There are also small shops and ice cream near by so you can make a nice little stop out of it. We stayed on the bridge and did not do the trail walk.

By A B |

A must see if you are in the area. Do not pass this by, get out of your car & take in this breathtaking site. The combination of the falls & the foliage is amazing. while there visit the antique mall.

By marierm |

Gorgeous short trail and waterfall with shops nearby. Spent about an hour here and in the area. There's also an alpaca farm nearby.

By Anna C |

We walked along the trail next to the gorge and as well as the gorge itself (which was beautiful) we saw lots of chipmunks and birds including blue jays. We followed the trail along to a lake and were lucky enough to see some beavers (exciting for us Brits who have none of the above mentioned wildlife - maybe wouldn't be so exciting for locals!).

By J G |

The trail from the visitors center is the prettiest. The trail alon the gorge is lined with chain link fence. The gorge is worth stopping to take a look at, but it’s not much of a hike.

By Melissa S |

There is massive construction on the route 4 bridge over the gorge. When we visited on 7/1/24, the trail actually to the gorge was closed from the visitors center down. The walk up from behind the Snack Bar to the waterfall and dam is nice. It’s not difficult, but it’s a trail in the woods so use bug spray and wear sneakers.

By Kit Whipple |

This is the Grand Canyon of Vermont. Best to visit in the fall and can walk to the bottom. having been to the Grand Canyon of Arizona and surrounding areas, much prefer this Grand Canyon of Vermont. Everyone should visit, especially in the fall

By Justin P |

We visited Quechee Gorge for a hike with our dog. From the visitor center along US-4, a trail led to the gorge trail where a left turn led about half a mile to the base of the gorge. I scrambled out on the rocks for a nice picture of the gorge and bridge. We also hiked upstream (right turn at the start) to follow the trail to the dam and Mill Pond Falls. On the way back to the, we took the pedestrian paths to the bridge for views of the gorge from the middle. Overall, a beautiful gorge, "Vermont's Grand Canyon" with some nice, easy hikes to great views. Definitely worth a stop if visiting the area.

By Claire D |

My husband & I went for a hike from the Quechee Inn to the bottom of the gorge and back. What a great hike & very challenging coming back up from the bottom ... but so worth it!!! It’s like a small Grand Canyon right in Vermont!!

By Deb W |

We've always wanted to see this and are glad we did. We did walk the path a little bit but found the view was best from the bridge. We didn't walk all the way down so I'm sure from the bottom it's a different beautiful perspective. It's very pretty and I'm sure with fall foliage it's absolutely gorgeous. I'm just not sure how much there is to do besides take a look for a few minutes. There is a state park just down the road where there is probably more hiking, picnic areas, etc.

By Tom Y |

Very popular local site. Nice views from the bridge, with walking paths along the side. This is a popular site, but does have three parking areas.

By Brittany H |

We almost drove right through and I'm glad we stopped! The view is amazing, definitely worth the stop!

By FarAway1627 |

We parked at the Queeche Inn, there's also a parking area across the street, and walked from there along the water, past the dam, the gorge, to the bottom "pool". It was a fun, relatively moderate hike/walk. If it's hot, you can swim at the bottom! Have fun!

By Randall1963 |

The area is really pretty. If you are not interested in hiking you can expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour here and it will be well worth your time.

By PaleoGypsy |

A community of people have made a series of decisions that benefits those who are pedestrians in this area. Several crosswalks consisting of flashing lights improve upon the safety of pedestrians and motorists. Many handwritten affirmations are attached to the railing of the bridge to deter suicide. And, there are permanent signs consisting of phone numbers relating to suicide. A few hiking trails converge here. A map provides details. If you are in the area, stop by. The adjacent Visitor’s Center provides additional information. Bathrooms are available. Parking for RVs and buses are available.

By toddandtraci |

We happened upon the gorge while driving through. The gentlemen in the visitor center was very friendly and helpful. We did just the short hike to see the dam and viewed the gorge from the bridge.

By Rochelle F |

Beautiful to see but with the bridge and walkway under construction, happened to be a bit underwhelming. Once completed, I expect it would get a better review from me.

By Simonizzze |

Very beautiful to see from both sides of the road. If you're not taking a walking trail down to the gorge, 15 minutes is plenty of time for taking pictures.

By IRun2Eat |

We hike both sides of the Gorge and had a great time along the trail. The views along the trail were great, but the best views are from atop the bridge. The hike was a good way to spend the morning outdoors with the family.

By Headmanpete |

We saw someone describing this as Vermont's Grand Canyon. No - it is not. It is a nice enough river gorge which you need to see from the bridge as the walk along the edge - at least the bit we did - has the view obscured by scruffy conifers. It probably didn't help that it was a cloudy and slightly rainy afternoon. Better, I am sure, in the sunshine.

By Patricia N |

If you drive trough Vermont, this is the perfect stop for an hour or two. On a summer day, hike down the highway-like trail, 20 minutes if that, walk on the rocks and dip your whole body in the water at its base. Bring amphibian shoes and bathing suit. This makes memories. Of course, safety first.

By dtgtyo |

Be sure to take the woods walk from the info house to the road bridge as opposed to walking along the highway to the bridge.

By egwanderlust |

Came here with a few friends on our recent trip to Vermont. Parking was relatively easy and there was plenty of spaces available. I wasn't anticipating how deep the gorge really was but when we walked over the bridge I briefly had vertigo (I definitely wouldn't recommend this for anyone with a fear of heights). It is an amazing sight to see.

We also walked down the trail which was an easy hike down (even for me wearing flip flops) and the scenery was beautiful and relaxing. Once down we walked along the sharp rocks and briefly put our feet in the water. The uphill climb back was a bit steep but not bad at all. I would definitely recommend visiting the Quechee Gorge to anyone.

By dheiman62 |

Very beautiful and can be viewed from the bridge that crosses over it. For those in really good shape, you can hike to the bottom of the gorge, but remember you also have to climb back up.

By Allison A |

Gorge trail: loved the views of the tall trees and the water downstream. To get pictures of the bridge from below, you have to step on flat, large rocks almost halfway into the stream. Water was low, but I was too chicken to walk too far out. Walked the trail far enough until the bushes thickened and then I turned around. Trail is mostly paved, walkable, and downhill until you have to walk back. But there are tons of benches and logs to take a break.

Dam trail: Easier than the gorge trail. Ends at the dam where you can see it make a little waterfall. I walked across the parking roundabout and passed through an open gate that led to a flat land and you can see great views of the mountains reflecting on still water.

I parked at the general store and walked right onto the bridge also.

By Walter B |

Did not realize this was here... a bit of an amazing feature with nice views from the bridge. We did not walk down to the river and can't comment about that, other than to note many were and we could see a few people swimming down river.

By Sandra D |

My husband and I came to visit and camp nearby. The hike trail was short but easily accessible. A short walk to the top and quite beautiful. We enjoyed it.

By loist51 |

The sound alone was magnificent, and the deep gorge was interesting as well. Good to have a bridge from which to view! There is also a path to get nearer to the falls for further exploration.

By camper46 |

Not too bad for the east. Needs a lot of work. the trails and the benches need help too. This place needs a HUG!!!

By MarkfromtheIsland |

TBH from the reviews I thought this was going to be a lot nicer than it was.

We parked in the parking lot by the cafeteria on the highway. We then walked down and back up to the visitor center. Oops - that was just across the street. Oh well - we walked back up to where we started and then headed down to the gorge. It's a gradual downhill so it's a bit of a slog up but easy enough. The view is fine - nothing great. I barely took any photos.

The view from the bridge at the top is probably the nicest.

You can walk the other direction to the dam but it's pretty blah too.

By Bruce |

Looking for something to do, we went to Quechee gorge, the staff at the visitors center were friendly and helpful. I’m disabled, the assured the trail handicap accessible, the gorge was something to see, only wished the water level was higher

By Fran R |

wonderful walk. very easy footing. elevation change is the only challenge. continues on the other side of the road for a little bit and is lovely there too.

By Mamafied |

Went with family and our sons friends. Boys all 21 years old. They enjoyed the swimming and paths were fairly nicely kept...we saw people stop for a breather back up the hill though we were all fine. We enjoyed it.

By william Y |

We were in Woodstock and decided to go out to the Quechee Gorge. This is an interesting area and the bridge over the gorge is worth taking a few minutes for a walk. You can spend some time in this area and enjoy a good outing.

By Ralph G |

What a breathtaking view! My wife and I came by in early September - we only wish we could come during full foliage. Definitely worth the trip!

By Gregrob1980 |

Always enjoyable whether you walk to the top or the bottom of the gorge. Great to take your dogs on a walk too. Amazing views too.

By 437dona |

Very scenic. Water was clear and running fast. The view from the highway bridge on either side was great. You can park in the park parking lot and walk to the bridge for a great view from the top, or take the trail through the woods to the waters edge.

By Jerzy P |

The best place to stop when you’re driving Rt 4 from Rutland all the way to Highway 91 beautiful views but to bad that the Visitors place was closed.

By Tony K |

It’s definitely worth stopping at and walking across the Bridge. There is parking right at the Gift Shop next to the Road/Gorge. Just a bit down the road is the Visitors Center but we didn’t go there.

By Ruth & Art |

Very scenic area, worth a stop. We stopped here on our way from Windsor to Killington while leaf peeping in October, parking at the Visitors Center and walking the short distance to the bridge overlooking the gorge. We also spent some time walking down the trail that goes under the bridge but weren't up to walking to the bottom. Downhill is one thing but uphill would have been more than we wanted or had supplies with us to do. Nice stop if you're in the area.

By jerseymom2017 |

Worth the stop! Quite a view! Even those with limited mobility can park closer to the bridge and walk over to view the gorge. It is a quick stop unless you head over to the visitors center and hike down. The hike is not suited for those with limited mobility but an easy walk for the able bodied. Lasting impressions of nature!

By JCaye |

Pretty views, and customizable depending on how long you want to stay, fitness level, etc. We didn't have a lot of time, so did a quick hike along the gorge to see some views, and then stopped at the visitors center which was interesting as well! There were lengthier trails through the woods and also it can be seen from the bridge which is only a short walk!

By Cindy H |

It's easy to pass this bridge overlook up but as soon as you get off the road and park on the other side, there is plenty of walkway to view the spectacular site from. Even in the rain it was stunning.

By jstock |

The gorge is very beautiful. You can walk about a quarter mile down the trail and go swimming or just dip your feet in the river. The walk is on a well traveled path but it is uphill on the way back, which may limit some people.

By Robert W |

I had never been to Quechee Gorge, although I had driven by on many occasions. Finally, we made the effort to stop at the Visitors Center, which is just before the bridge.

We got a map and walked up to the dam overlook, then back down the nicely maintained trail to see the river. (On warm days, it seems like a great spot for a swim.)

This is a nice, easy hike, and worth the detour.

By DeeAnn M |

This is an easy attraction right on the road. There is a large pullout parking area to stop and take out your camera. A sidewalk is provided so that pedestrians are not in danger of being close to the road traffic. This gorge is quite dramatic and a scenic spot to see on your way.

By ionesagem |

I learned about the Quechee Gorge while getting directions to VINS. Both my husband and I loved it!!

By Jim W. |

We had actually intended to visit Quechee State Park. We pulled into the first 'visitors center' we saw, which was apparently run by the chamber of commerce in whatever town this is located. The state park itself was a bit further down Woodstock Road (slightly further from the gorge itself).

This area had truly nightmarish traffic. There are wide sidewalks / pedestrian paths one side of the road and then on both at the bridge over the gorge. There are also periodic crosswalks (the sort that cause traffic to halt). I'm not saying that's bad, but it does cause the traffic to back up. I'd be curious to know how many rear-ending accidents they have here per year. I would advise against trying any left turns out of parking lots anywhere near the gorge itself - just turn right and find somewhere a bit further on where you can turn around.

As for this particular visitors center - it is free. They ask for donations, and given that it is convenient parking, I gave them $5. You can cross the road here and walk about 200 yards to the gorge itself. Along both sides of the bridge they conveniently have small openings in the chain link safety fencing (maybe 12 inches by 5 inches) such that you can get unobstructed photos of the scenery. The gorge appeared pretty deep (maybe 200 feet?). It was mostly in shadow by 3:20 p.m. in early October, though. You could probably get better photos from noon to 2 p.m., I’d guess.

Alternatives to this visitors center for parking are the aforementioned state park (you may have to pay there?) and some old-style tourist trap places adjacent to the gorge (where more tour buses pull in).

Also from the VC, you can approach the gorge from a woodland trail. It is a bit longer and hillier than the paved path, but much quieter. However, when we visited, the trail's underpass at the bridge was being reconstructed. That meant that you couldn't actually approach the gorge itself without descending a steep 1/4-mile trail. We had to backtrack to the VC and start over. I *think* that normally you can just go underneath the bridge and come out at the tourist trap lot, from which you can access the bridge directly. I don't have any idea when construction will finish, so you may want to ask before choosing a route.

The gorge is worth seeing, but don't expect a quiet visit in a 'nature' setting.

By WiscDeb |

The reviewer who wrote the "6 Tips" review did an outstanding job. This is a lovely location to visit to break up your travel around Vermont. The walk down the gorge is not difficult and you keep getting teases of what you're going to see. At the bottom of the trail, there were families of every age group swimming and splashing on the Sunday we were there. While the rocks were somewhat challenging to walk on, it was definitely worth it to get to the water. You can't really tell how deep it is but one individual told me probably 15 feet in the channel. So refreshing on a warm summer day and seeing the wear patterns on the rocks was a lesson in geography, time, and the wearing effects of water. Loved visiting this place.

By Debbi D |

This place can get really busy! We ended up going at 8:00am on a sunday and had the place to ourselves. You can bring dogs but they must be leashed. We first visited the main entrance and it was packed. The second time we visited by the back entrance near the boat launch at Deweys pond. This was much less crowded and beautiful.

By tracyc270 |

Driving around Vermont and came across this by accident! Wow! So beautiful! I gave it 5 stars in the summer, I can only imagine how beautiful it would be in the fall! Safe viewing from the side of the road. The fence has places cut out so you you can take unobstructed pictures! Food and shopping near by.

By dustythoughts |

We wandered over to this Gorge while looking for things to do in the area, and ended up going for a beautiful hike to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. It might not be as huge as other nature spots in the area, but we enjoyed the hike and the views. The bridge offered some breathtaking views. We also enjoyed walking through the Visitors' Center to learn more about the history of the area.

By Voice1234 |

Magnificent waterfall! Very picturesque! The walk is long, but not difficult. On one end you see the falls, the other end more of the river (which can be viewed from the bridge also).

Our only disappointment was that the gift shop was closing as we reached it. It seemed early in the day to us travelers and when I asked "you're closing?" she coldly said, "we close at 5 (looked at watch), well close enough." NOT a good impression!

By Hotelsnobb |

Worth a stop if you're in the area. Stunning views of the gorge from the roadside and you can also do a couple of trails to the bottom of base of the gorge. It gets super crowded on weekends, especially during leaf peeping season. There is a parking lot just past the gorge or you can park in the lot of the shops right before the gorge and browse before or after.

By swiftmi |

We stopped and viewed the gorge from the bridge. There are parking lots at each end of the bridge and the walk is short. There are some trails for those wanting more walking.

By Heather |

Beautiful, chilly fall day in Quechee! A donation is suggested upon entry and you are welcomed to explore the path. We missed fall leaves for the most part but it was still a great little hike.

By Amy B |

Beautiful sights and nice view of river gorge. Short trails and nice place to take a swim with friends.

By C L |

We made a slight detour to both look at the gorge from the bridge, as well as going through the visitor’s center and walking down to the bottom. I wouldn’t have wanted to drive a far distance to see this, but I’m glad we stopped.

By svogels |

We were at Simon Pearce and drove over the gorge so we had to stop and look. Great view from the bridge and they have a nice visitors center. Look like plenty of trails and a helpful staff. I also understand that they have a campground on the grounds (40+ sites).

This was a nice diversion.

By Deborah D |

Love Quechee Gorge. Even with the construction, we enjoyed hiking down to the bottom and back. We have hiked it many times. We also walked the other trail to Dewey Pond this time. In the past we had stopped at the dam, but continued on this time to go the entire distance. Walking these trails is always a nice experience.

By Bri |

We stopped here on our way from VT to NH. It is beautiful to see. We took the short hike down to the bottom. Wasn't much to see or do down there, was pretty from the top. But was nice to walk around. Recommended but if have elderly, I wouldn't do the hike, stay on bridge. Very pretty from there.

By JJAMB |

I agree with some others - the gorge is a cool natural formation formed by water but the views from the trail were very limited. We walked along the bridge over the river/gorge to get the best view. The construction on the bridge caused some of the trail to be closed, so this may offer better views if open. We visited a few small towns and planned a few stops during our day - so this was a nice addition. It may not be worth a drive for this specifically but a nice stop along our journey.

By arthurpeabody |

Pleasant, non threatening hike -- with a few good distance views of a small falls and rapids. On a pleasant day, this is a good sojourn. Park employees are very helpful and friendly. Nice visitor center, maps, guide books and the like. About a 30 minute hike out and back.

By lucille f |

its worth a stop to this beautiful gorge
the road bridge offers a good view
it is worth noting there isn't much in the immediate vicinity so its a stop but in a very beautiful part of the usa
we visited april 2018 and note its very cold at that time would be glorious in summer

By ken3787 |

The gorge supplied awesome views. I was there just when the leaves on the trees were starting to turn. I'm guessing in October, they are on fire! This place is worth stopping to see! I suggest the Quality Inn in town, nice little hotel.

By susan911 |

The walk down and up would be a challenge for folks who have walking issues....we walked to the bottom which was really nothing to see except water and rock. The view from above is striking and dramatic....save the walk down. See the gorge from above...unless you’re doing the walk for exercise. Dogs abound!

By Enoki |

Loved our visit to Quechee Gorge and came back a few times. Stroll down is about a 1/2 mile with beautiful rocks and water at the bottom. Water is very clear but quite cold for June. Still managed a few enjoyable swims. There are fish and crawfish as well as tadpoles to catch for small kids. Absolutely beautiful and free natural wonder. Kids didn't want to leave.

We also walked the other way to the top of the Gorge and it was a great hike. Walked past the Gorge and made it to the lake with tons of water lilies. Nice spot to take kids for fishing.

By rff1010 |

Excellent trails going down to bottom of gorge. Wear sneakers. Not stroller friwndly due to steepness of trail. Visitor center docent excellent and friendly. Consider water-friendly clothes to splash. Very dog friendly.

By John M |

We were driving north in VT and planned to make this a pit stop. The view of the gorge from the bridge is nice enough, but not outstanding. Quechee Village is just past the gorge and offers shopping and dining. A good place for a stopover, but not necessarily a destination in itself.

By gmleven1 |

Amazing views and interesting stop. Parked at the visitor center and walked 1 short block to see the gorge. You can also hike down to get close but the view is better at street level.

By Previa1994 |

I spent a full morning visiting the joyful Quechee Gorge in the Spring. It is a small park that packs an array of awesome views. The hike starting from the visitor center up and down the gorge is well trodden and offers scenic views of the gorge, the highway bridge, the dam, the waterfall and the lake. The visitor center has informative exhibits about the history of the gorge. The best views of the gorge are from the highway bridge. But it is fenced for safety and one can only get clear views of the gorge from the little holes in the fence. Ample parking and no fee to visit the state park. This is a thoroughly enjoyable park.

By RobinAnnBarron |

I hiked down and back up the Gorge with my dog. I’ve done this before. It’s truly spectacular. Very well worth the hike - and do it both down the gorge and up the other way. Fascinating geology. Do watch out for poison ivy off the trail.

By mvidro |

Quechee Gorge is sometimes called “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”. It formed 13,000 years ago when a dam holding back a glacial lake burst, ultimately resulting in a 168 foot canyon through solid granite. The Ottaquechee River continues that erosion today. You see it via a bridge (from either side of the highway, though I preferred the left side to the right). Apparently, it is a popular suicide spot -- prevention stickers appeared about every 3 feet on the overlook railings.

By Ellesor826 |

If you're in the area, this gorge and area and especially the town of Quechee is worth you time and visit.
We did a little walking on the very easy trail outside the visitor center.
I'm a little bug shy, and didn't have spray, or we would have put on our hiking shoes and enjoyed more time....next year!

By Carol L |

Quechee Gorge is a must see. Since you can view it from the road, it is easily accessible. There is parking nearby. The view is spectacular. A little scary when a car goes by, as you can feel the vibration on the bridge. For that matter, it's a little scary to think about driving over it.

By mike l |

There is a bridge across Quechee Gorge with pedestrian sidewalk where you can look down and see the rushing water. Very pretty any time of year. There is also a trail that runs both upstream (to a dam/waterfall and flower meadow) or downstream (where you can wade in the water). Very good ice cream place in the large parking lot.

By LostInTime |

There is parking a short distance from the bridge. The gorge is incredibly deep and looks gorgeous. The bridge can be crowded. There are slots in the middle to take pictures without getting the fence in the way.

By minniesouris |

Nice view and not crowded at all. Nice area for a Pic-nic but tables and benches need a little bit of TLC. Don’t need to spend more than an hour on site.

By Stay701907 |

Nice trails and waterfall. Nature center for kids. Gift shop and food available. Parking available. Busy place.

By Beth |

We had such high expectations after reading all the rave reviews. Of all the hikes we did across VT, this was our least favorite though.

The hike to the bottom of the gorge was very short and for most of it, you are waking alongside a chain metal fence. The river runs along it (although harder to admire with the fence) and at the end is the rocky area where you can enter the river. The clear water in the sunshine was pretty and you can see the bridge looking down the gorge, which makes a nice photo. Going the other direction from the parking area brings more fence, an area with picnic tables, and a dam.

By Lynn M |

The view from the top of the gorge is breathtaking, but there are plenty of trails to also take you down to the bottom. There is a small village nearby with treats, alpacas to pet, shopping, a small train to ride, and a toy museum. Quintessential VT and worth a stop on your sight seeing adventures!

By jbrenz |

Absolutely beautiful and clean trails. The scenery is gorgeous and the staff in the visitors center very knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous. Loved this place!

By fflbrgst |

A lot of people just stop at the bridge and look at the gorge from above. Hike down the gorge to the end of the cascade area and you can walk among the striated rocks (tricky footing) or even bathe in the water. It's a gentle slope on a graveled trail all the way down and back up. Hike up to the dam to see the large waterfall and source of the water, along with the nearby pond surrounded by wildflowers.

By Din S |

All downhill going and the opposite coming back. Pleasant hike and good opportunities for water play in the river and rocks at the end of the trail.

By liz Heinkel |

While touring Vermont my husband and I decided to stop in the charming town of Quechee neat Woodstock. The Gorge is a natural wonder that is well worth the time to stop and see. We hiked a short way to the waterfall . It was not quite Leaf changing season but still lovely!

By Kathy W |

Make sure to go both ways along gorge & walk across bridge. One way goes to bottom of gorge & the other to the top at Dewey Pond & dam. Easy hike even for kids. Just beautiful.

By Christina B |

We did not take the trails down. There’s a few options. We saw the Gorge from above on the bridge. Both sides are worth seeing. Great views !!

By Laurie B |

We didn't expect this hidden gem on the way to the house we were renting. One can view it easily from the bridge or take the trail down and see it close up.

By knucklebuster1031 |

Very beautiful part of Vermont. Visited there in mid April. There was still patches of snow and the streams were running with melted snow.

By terrybfi |

stopped in to walk the bridge on recent trip to Woodstock, VT. stopped in to the Visitors Center also, which is a very friendly take. Recommend this entire area highly.

By Tina M |

We stopped here on our way to Woodstock. Nice little area to walk along the bridge and check out the scenery. It can get pretty busy if there are tour buses but if you are lucky and time it right it's very quiet. Great views and little holes in the fence so you can get some photos. The road is very busy as well but there are crosswalks to get over to the other side. It's also right beside a gift shop and there is a window style restaurant if you want a bite to eat.

By Curtis S |

after enjoying a nice lunch at the Harpoon brewery we needed to burn off a few calories and decided to visit the Quechee Gorge park. It is a popular stop right off Route 4 in Hartford VT. There is parking on both sides of the road, and it is a short walk to the bridge that crosses the gorge. You can stop on the bridge and take a few photos. They have recently installed a safety fence to prevent anyone from doing something seriously stupid but there are cut-out holes in the fence so that you can get a photo without chain link marring your image. If you walk to the East side of the bridge there is a small gift shop but also access to a short easy trail that goes down to the bottom of the gorge. The walk is less than a mile in total and the grade is fairly mild. We took the opportunity to walk down and see what the view looked like from the bottom. The place can be pretty busy most days as people like to Wade in the shallow water and cool off. Climbing around the rocks can be somewhat dangerous so make sure you have prudent footwear and you keep an eye on where you're walking, and what your children are up to. It was a nice detour during our long weekend of sightseeing in Vermont and I always enjoy taking in nature's splendor. Recommended.

By Gregrob1980 |

First time we walked the trails. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashes. Make sure you bring your camera for photo-ops.

By Joseph S |

Nice stop on our foliage tour. Park and cross bridge to souvenir shop. Prices there were better than Vermont Country Store but selection was limited (small store). They did have local maple syrup at the best price around! The view from the bridge (both sides) was very nice.

By Tom W |

There was a wonderful cashier at Jake's Quechee Market who gave us directions to the Gorge and advice. She recommended that you cross the bridge and go to the Visitor's Center. There are trails from the Visitor Center to the Gorge.

We took the trail to the dam. It was 0.3 miles, and it's not a difficult hike. The dam is quite impressive.

I would cross the bridge to get a good view of the Quechee Gorge. This is called the "Grand Canyon of the East." It's nice, but it doesn't compare to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

There is a good gift shop by the Quechee Gorge.

The perfect ending to this attraction is an Ice Cream Cone from Gifford's. Delicious!

By Loopylou9194 |

It is an easy walk to the Gorge. Unfortunately there was major construction on the bridge and it eas fenced although there were a few look out points so you could take photos. The walk to the bottom is relatively easy.

By Kimberly B |

We stopped in to hike the area. Our hike consisted of walking to the falls. The trail is an easy walk, roughly a mile. We ran out of time to hike down the gorge though. We also recommend walking over the bridge to take in the view below. It is beautiful. Quechee Gorge does have a visitor center worth stopping in if you are unsure of the hikes.

By Ron H |

It's Vermont's "grand canyon" and you will enjoy peering over the bridge (there are safety fences), 163 feet above the Ottauquechee River. It's a must see as you travel Rt 4 through central Vermont, a short distance off I-89, exit 1. It's an especially nice view as the trees are turning, but equally inspiring any time during the year. Haven't seen it in winter, but I imagine it's a grand sight. The family will all enjoy the view, and paths will take you down closer to the River. This stop over along Rt 4 also has a place to park, purchase lunch, enjoy the gift shop and find a souvenir of your visit. The store is seasonal, May through October, so plan accordingly. A really great attraction and worth an A grade. I think you'll be impressed.

By Sallyodo |

We had researched before we came to VT and knew we wanted to come to the gorge. Both being over 60, I wasn’t sure I could hike to the bottom (actually it was the trip up that worried me). We hiked from top to bottom, took lots of pictures and just thought it was so pretty! The hike up was a challenge for me but I went slow and took a couple rests on benches and it was fine. I was also surprised how low the water level was. So worth the trip!

By 69tiger888 |

We have passed by the Gorge since I was a college student in the 70s , on way from Hanover to Woodstock , and have the chance to view this in all seasons . The bridge was built in 1910 , one can view the gorge from both side of the bridge ( be very careful. Cars zipping by fast ) There are ample parking spaces with shops around . The paths on both sides allowed ones to hike all the way down to the river (gorge is 165 feet deep good one hour hike ) Fall is the most spectacular for pictures , I have seen this after a heavy snow fall , looking like a winter wonderland . This is the same river below the gorge as the river at the Simon Pearce mill !! Good to bring while Family

By Bongo88 |

Worth the drive from Albany! The countryside in this area of Vermont is indescribable! The rivers are clear with picturesque covered bridges and pristine forests! So much to delight the senses! Be sure and visit the antique market…could spend days there among the antique, vintage, and just plain interesting things!

By samtrip12345 |

Take the hike and enjoy the peaceful rushing water. Amazing fall colors along the banks. . Bring good walking shoes, but not difficult hike.

By mtdecast |

We got up in the morning and parked in the visitors center parking lot. First thing we did was observe the area from both sides of the bridge before we decided which way to go. We opted for the hike down the gorge rather than up towards the dam. We did it with a 5 & 4 year old. They didn't struggle with the hike at all. They were pretty engaged with their surroundings and their imagination allowed they to make the experience a much more captivating experience.

And it didn't eat much time out of our day.

It's probably best to go earlier in the morning. On the way back up towards the bridge the trail had a lot more people starting to trek it.

By dermodad |

The Grand Canyon of Vermont. The adjacent State Park is the best in the state. Plan to stay here several days!

By ISyzigi |

If you enjoy walking in nature, don't miss this walk! Even with the bridge under construction, we were able to have a transcendent experience of awesome natural beauty. The majestic rock formations and the clear, rushing waters are viewed from behind a protective fence alongside a manicured path. Eventually at base level the fence drops away, and we sat and enjoyed the water music.

By Angela L |

Knowing nothing, we drove to the visitor's center, and embarked on the trail out back, which heads downhill, to the south end of the gorge, just 0.3 miles. That leg of trail is easy but doesn't show you much of the gorge. We should have taken the trail north to the main gorge.

By KeithG |

What a blast! Nice hike down to the river. Most parents had masks heading down or at least trying to distance themselves. Kids loved climbing over the rocks in the river to find a nice spot to sit, relax, and put the feet in the river. The current wasn’t too strong where I felt concerned for the kid’s safety. Definitely will come back with bathing suits. Due to covid, visitor’s center and bathrooms were closed. Plan accordingly.

By Smiling |

I liked hiking along this gorge and it was worth the effort to see both ends of the trail. We took a lot of great pictures and enjoyed it more than we expected. A friend hiked there before but their description did not do it Justice. You have to see it yourself.

By Nayda C |

Just amazing a breathtaking. If you are a nature lover this is a must. 3 hours drive was worth it. You can see the canyon from the bridge. Also you can walk along the canyon using a trail. It is a short walk. One side take you to the bottom of the Gorge the other side will take you to see a fall. There's also a gift shop in the area. Easy access the quechee Gorge is right on route 4 Hartford Vermont.

By babee1998 |

It was worth seeing this gorge. We didn’t hike down to it. It was a cold day so my family just stayed on the bridge and took our time taking photos. We took some great photos but I think it would be more beautiful in the fall.

By mon582 |

We were viewing from the bridge with the foliage having changed. It was a beautiful sight! This is called Vermont’s Little Grand
Canyon, and we understand why. It’s such a different look than so much of the other part of the state.
Be sure and check it out!

By Kaci |

My husband and I love scenic stops and short hikes, which made the gorge a perfect stop for us. You can walk on the bridge to see the gorge from above, and then hike various shorter trails for different perspectives. Don't forget to go to the visitor center (public bathrooms) and visit the gift shop.

By Lloyd J |

Very picturesque, well worth a stop. There’s car parks either side of the bridge from which you can walk into the bridge for the best photo ops.

There are also trails along or down into the gorge

By Susan M |

This was a beautiful walk thru the woods down to the gorge. I would guess it is mor impressive in the spring when the water is higher and the leaves are not out yet. All the foliage made it hard to see until you got to the bottom and walked out on the rocks to look upstream. It is an impressive feature. THe trails are easy to walk on and well maintained. Well worth seeing.

By magmid |

This is a beautiful place to visit. You can hike down the bottom of the gorge relatively easily. Of course going back up is a bit more difficult but shouldn't be a problem for most people.

By Cynthia R |

The trail down to the bottom of the gorge is well maintained with mostly a gravel base. There are sections of incline on the way back up but manageable for most able bodied folks and several benches along the way. Along the main road, there are walkways on both sides with barriers from the vehicles. We enjoyed the stop with the walk down the gorge pathway. We did not do the trail to the pond, so I can't comment on its condition or level of difficulty.

By longhorn77079 |

Spectacular views. Park and cross the bridge to see both sides. We took the path down from the visitor center. Nice easy walk and nice scenery but it didn’t offer good views of the bridge itself.

By Carole B |

I have only driven around the area a little, and viewed the gorge from the bridge, but from what I have seen, it is gorgeous!

By Nico Salado |

Offers hiking and has a trail but the view on the bridge itself is already very beautiful. If i didnt busted my knee on basketball. I could have gotten the trail and be on the river itself looking on the bridge.i saw people on both ends

By Rita M |

This is an unexpected gem popping out form the woods along your route. Stop and enjoy the scenery from the bridge, then walk along the gorge to see the dam.

By Laura L |

Depending on the time of year, the gorge is always different. We walked past the gorge and up some
Stairs, down a path, along river to see the beautiful tall ferns growing. They look otherworldly, pushing up thru the river silt mud. Many deer tracks along the river, and also saw a cool beaver dam further down. Beautiful place any time of year.

By cenzt |

Good trip. We arrived at approximately 4 pm and made our way to the entrance of the hiking trail to the gorge. The hike took about 10 minutes and was very easy, as it mostly consisted of walking on a flat surface. There was a short trail down to the gorge and we saw many people swimming and even sunbathing on the rocks. The environment was very peaceful and serene, and I enjoyed hearing the water flow down the stream.

Tip: I recommend spending 45 minutes here if you truly want to see everything.

By LoveToTravelTerrie |

I happened upon this gorge while road tripping. I knew I had to stop when I saw the serious crosswalks, all the people walking on the bridge and parking lots on both sides of the gorge. These elements made it so easy to stop and safely appreciate the gorge. There was a fence on both sides of the bridge but there were several cut outs to take photos along the way. Stunning views and worth a few minutes to appreciate.

By Dogslobber462 |

I didn't have much time but I had to stop here for a 30 minute walk to soak in the scenery. Took about that long to walk to bottom of gorge and back. This part of Vermont is so beautiful do yourself a favor and take a little extra time to enjoy it if you can. I wish I would have bailed on the work thing I was going to and just spent the afternoon here.

By devonroamer |

We went here as a side trip off the 100 and whilst we were not disappointed we were not overwhelmed either. It is very busy with Coach tours, for some reason the tours think Woodstock and this gorge are the epitome of New England in the Fall, they are not. The Gorge is not that deep but very colourful in the Fall, without the colour, I would say, so what. 15 minutes of photos and that is your lot.

By Krr1975 |

We were on a bus tour and stopped here for a quick photo stop. You can walk either side of the bride to see the view. About half way down there are openings in the fence that you can put your cameras through for unobstructed photos.

By BobbyP34 |

The view from the bridge is great. But take the hike down to the river and bring your suit! PERFECT on hot days. The swimming area must be at least 15 feet deep but clear to the bottom. Like swimming in glacial waters. Plus there is a lot to walk around at the base if you like fording shallow waters along the stone banks/island.

By Janine L |

We visited in the winter so we couldn't access most of the trails, but we were able to view the gorge and it is quite impressive. There are many signs indicating trails and other activities in the area. We are hoping to return in the summer to further explore.

By bddNewEngland |

This is an easy family hike. It gets less crowded and more attractive the further you walk.
Some gorge views are nice, but it's not amazing.

By LouRod17 |

We stumbled on the gorge on our way to another destination. We stopped and viewed the gorge from the bridge - great view - beautiful scenery. There were also signs for hiking trails, but we didn’t have time to check them out.

By Ruth M |

Not fully accessible, so it’s best to use a carrier of traveling with you kids. My 7 year old hiked down and up with no problems. It’s a fun place to enjoy nature while in the area.

By Mark S |

Great place to view nature. Has plenty of hiking trails and natural beauty. Make sure to stop when driving thru this location.

By Kay D |

Unfortunately it was raining torrentially on the day we were in the area, so we only viewed the gorge from the bridge. I had read about it in advance and noticed some moaning about the main pathway being closed, but that had been washed away in a flood in July 2023 and was under repair. Definitely worth a look if you are in the area.

By yitz10 |

A little disappointing. Nice area. Not that much to see. Limited views of the falls and Gorge. Short hiking trails. Lots of bugs.

By Climber572936 |

This is a must place to visit. We viewed the Gorge from the bridge and decided to follow the trail to the bottom. To my amazement, the bottom reminds me of a place in my home country of Jamaica so I was in Heaven. Prayerfully I will be able to visit this location next year

By Kelly T |

Nothing too exciting. But it’s a nice spot to stop on our journey and stretch our legs and go for a 2 mile walk. There’s lot of construction and roadwork, so part of the view was not accessible.

By Fukuyan |

It was an easy and quick stroll. There is a snack shop serving finger foods and drinks. The water is very clear and warm.

By Hairgone_Ronay |

Stayed over here , all too briefly, during a tour of Canada and N.E. U.S.A. back in 2015.
Very picturesque and spectacular views from the bridge down into the gorge.
Didn’t have time to eat at the diner but did have a look through the gift shop which had some great t shirts.
Just making this belated review because I could never remember the name of this place until I found it by accident today and thought I would leave a review as a reminder.

By Ruthsmum |

There are lots of sights to see in Vermont but if you are in area don't miss the Quechee Gorge. There are dramatic views from the bridge and, downstream, rocks to clamber over (when the river isn't in flood!). We didn't have children with us but it would be great for them. A lovely place to walk and explore.

By TravelKat |

I am sure I cannot add anything to what others have said, describing this natural wonder. It is breath-taking and worth the hike or just looking over the bridge in amazement. There is a snack bar with pretty tasty burgers and hot dogs, fries, ice cream if you need some sustenance. I think its great for kids as long as they stay with their parents.

By Johanna K |

Such pretty views! Many many trails, most were an easy walk. Many people made their way all the way down to the water. We also enjoyed the restaurant next to the Gorge and even got ice cream.

By Teri P |

Stunning views! There is a short mostly paved path that goes down to a flat area. It is fairly steep going back up. The views from the bridge are amazing and they even have holes in the fence so you can take photos without chain link ruining them.

By ShaundreaK |

Beautiful gorge with trees, water, rocks, stunning natural setting and a really huge gorge! Hike down in, enjoy the rocks and cool your feet in the warm months. Plenty of benches around for relaxing.

I hate the new fences along the gorge - the view is no where near as good - but for safety it is best.

Some nice places to grab food nearby.

By Jill M |

I wouldn't go out of my way to visit here but its nice nevertheless. Perhaps when the snow is melting and they have released more water from the dam. Its a nice 0.6mile walk down to the gorge floor which is worth the trip. Shame that they have put high netting fences on the bridge and tiny gaps to take photos though. Impossible to get any perspective of the size and fall of the gorge.

By Valerie D |

Very beautiful. Easy to reach. The closeness to traffic is a bit scary. High and scary but wonderful views.

By Colleen C |

Despite the fact that my husband and I visited the Gorge on a cloudy, rainy, gray sort of day, it was just spectacular! The views from the bridge in both directions are amazing, and there are paths you can take to see the bridge from down below. I can't imagine how incredible the views would have been on a clear day, but at the same time, given the rain, we had pretty much most of the gorge to ourselves, which was pretty amazing! Also nearby is a visitor center, a gift shop/snack shop (the gift shop was open, the snack shop was not), and just down the road is a much larger area with all kinds of shops and restaurants. It was a really neat area with a lot to see, and the views are just incredible. What a neat place to visit.

By Steven D |

We stopped after the bridge and was able to see down to the gorge and it was spectacular. This is definitely a stop to view. Check out both sides but be very careful crossing route 4

By nikkid21 |

Lovely gentle downhill hike from the visitors centre to the gorge of less than a mile .

The swimming was great for our teens with deep water to jump in and shallows to paddle. Take water shoes if you have them and be ready for the steep uphill back home

By jagwire |

Glad we decided to make this drive with family we were visiting. There is a nice walking bridge, and pathways to the bottom of the gorge. This was definitely a highlight. Recommend a visit here after lunch at Simon Pearce or a visit to the enormous antique mall In Quechee!

By Breanna P |

Gorgeous. We walked some of the trail from the visitors center, but ended up just going up and viewing from the bridge. It was unclear if there was a better viewpoint anywhere. Anyway, it was beautiful. Would love to have had more time to walk the trails and explore, but this was an easy walk to the bridge to see the gorge. Cute gift shop next door as well.

By jimbill |

We also took the trail down to the bottom. It was nice, but there is a fence that obscures the view all the way down. I know it's to protect people but it does detract from the experience. You can get into the river at the bottom, so pack accordingly.

By LefthandedLucy |

I wouldn't say it is not worth looking at, but it is a bit underwhelming, especially after having been to Niagara Falls :)
We still enjoyed seeing the Gorge and also the Charming town of Quechee and all its surround restaurants, and the Nature Center up the street from Quechee Gorge.

By Mountaintoppers |

Spectacular in the autumn, but lovely at any time of year. Worth walking to the bottom and back up; not as difficult as it appears. Anyone in reasonably good health with strong leg muscles should be able to do it.

By bocaberger |

We loved hiking down to the gorge from the top and going for a swim in the river. It was a beautiful experience. Easy hike for anyone at any level of ability.

By susangsays |

Fun place to stop and walk both sides of the street to view the deep qorge. We saw people walking down there but did not have time. A gift shop is close by to park the car.

By Mia W |

Visit Quechee Gorge. It’s beautiful and surrounded by gorgeous Vermont scenery. The town itself is cute and has some touristy shops. Everyone we interacted with was lovely.

By Sarsprdoc |

Free walk on bridge to look down directly into the gorge. Views up and down river with changing foliage is gorgeous. Recommend stopping and walking the bridge.

By Thomas - Genevi... H |

What a hike! This short hike MUST be done with both segments: the northbound dam/waterfall Segment (0.3 miles each way with fairly even terrain) and the southbound "bottom of gorge" segment (0.5 miles each way with a steep decline outbound/steep incline return). The dam Segment/waterfall give you a perspective of the river's power. The bottom of the gorge segment allows you the opportunity to walk along rocks out into the middle of the river. Both are unique in their own ways, but should not be missed in either case.
You can pick-up the trail at either the Visitor's Center (which adds about 0.2 miles each way) or the Quechee/Vermont souvenir store (which has immediate access to both trails after walking down about 10-12 steep stairs). A large information placard is located outside the shoppe to provide some basic information about the gorge.

By lindacrick |

Approx. 1.5 mile round trip hike along the gorge. Beautiful vies. Easy parking. Bring you bug spray. Could be muddy if it rains.

By christine s |

Was hoping to see more of the gorge but we were mislead by the map and the woman at the visitors center . Still a wonderful feat of nature to see.

By londoncallin2080 |

Was at Hanover and stopped over at the state park. The gorge is really nice to walk along. Be prepared to walk uphill if you follow the trail. Lots of shops around to have a picnic. Definitely recommend it and you don't need too long. If you go at the weekend, they do organized hikes at 11am and 1pm.

By ofdevils |

Really worth the stop along the busy main drag. Easy parking though. Breathtaking views at the bridge if you don’t want to hike the gorge.

By Vt43 |

Not a real comparison but they have a good press agent! Actually a very impressive sight - there is a road/trail to the bottom that is relatively easy in good weather. A great photo op - especially in the Fall and Winter. A must see if you are in the area.

By ARose |

Great photo opportunity with some great hiking trails. If you are staying in the area or driving through, this is a great place to stop. Parking can be at the visitors center or at the nature center. Trails are easy and wide so its great for families or groups and very pet friendly. There are a couple of places that you can go down to the rocks and the water, but this is not a good area for young kids. The majority of the trails have fencing that prevents you from going down to the water. Bathrooms are at the visitors center, but only open during certain hours.

By Tnlfnc |

On our New England road trip, during a day of transfer we stopped in the area and used the opportunity to make this very pleasant walk.

By DartSkiDoc |

Even though I live nearby, I never took the time to visit - well worth it. The hike downstream follows a wide gravel path making it easy for strollers, wheelchairs, groups, etc., realizing the need to come back UP the hill. Get there early so you can enjoy the rocks and water without the crowds who came in later. Birding was especially fun with two juvenile bald eagles near the water. The trail extension downstream offers additional views, but unfortunately is getting overgrown with Japanese knotweed. On the other side of the road (upstream), the trail down to Dewey Pond offered different birding opportunities. There are picnic tables there which would be nice for groups. Trail conditions were fine, bugs minimal. Enjoy!

By kelly4075 |

Beautiful area. Requires some physical confidence to fully explore. But even just viewing the gorge from the road is rewarding.

By Nigerdave |

We were just driving through Vermont and happened on this unbelievably spectacular natural wonder along the road. We were so shocked to see such a beautiful place we had never heard of.

By Diane H |

My daughter and I do waterfall excursions and this is by far our favorite. We come back often. The hike to the bottom is easy but coming back up is exhausting. I would recommend you wear sneakers or hikers as this is rocky and "rooty" in spots; but what a beautiful place.

By Patti S |

Easy to make a quick stop here, parking in the adjacent shopping area's lot and walking the sidewalk to the middle of the bridge where you get a nice view of the gorge. Worth a trip to the shopping village a few doors east to see the live alpacas if you have kids.

By Deb S |

The gorge is 165 feet below the bridge. Small rectangles cut in the fence along the bridge side to take your photos yet keep anyone from falling/jumping over. It’s a hike to the bottom and the hike back up may be too challenging for some.

By Fam_Stans |

Worth a quick stop, but nothing more. Short walk to see the waterfall. You can see it from the street too.

By Jessalayne |

Beautiful view. Slightly disappointed that we made the trip before all the trees had changed. Still worth it.

By Andres72423 |

One of nature’s wonders. Unfortunately we visited during the winter and were not able to hike the trails nor even make our way down. It snowed the night before and it just wasn’t safe enough for us to do. We will definitely be back in the warm weather to be able to experience it much better.

By Lilacwheaty |

We parked adjacent to bridge on route 4, above gorge, and walked across bridge for some breathtaking views down into the very deep gorge.

Well maintained paths take you down to the bottom of the gorge one way, or to the head of the dam the other. Both paths are sloping, not stepped, so make this accessible for most people.

By adventuresUs |

Lovely walk among the trees to get to the river area. It takes less than half an hour to go to the rocky bank. Parking is free around the gift shops. Nice restaurants around the area to have a fantastic meal. The bridge is awesome.

By CJ112015 |

Beautiful view, definitely picture worthy. Not a hard hike during three seasons, but can be icy in the winter.

By doodlebugxxx |

good but it is not for those that are a little shaky on the legs its a tough walk to the bottom but wonderful views from the bridge,

By trippdebra |

Short walk to the bottom to experience the local swimming hole, good place to walk dogs and children

By Prunellanj |

This is an awe inspiring experience. Paved hike easy access. The rock formations and stunning waterflowing down the river is exceptional

By clementine05 |

The walk itself was nice, and the trail was easy to find. But we didn't have a great view of the water from the bottom. And it was a bit crowded on the trail.

By amyg352 |

Fabulous view of the gorge and you can walkdown the trail to get up close and walk along the rocks. Outstanding natural formation.

By Brent C |

The perfect place to stop and view this magnificent George. Safe viewing from the walkways beside the road and a nice trail on the side of the gorge. It is a must for visitors to Vermont. I am a New England guide and this stop is always enjoyed. Great food at the Snack Shack and they are used to handling large groups. Room for motor coaches and RV's. Near Quechee Village for some fun shopping and of course the charming Woodstock village!

By TeddyDove |


I have always enjoyed the views from the bridge over the gorge. But, due to safety issues they have had to erect a large fence to prevent people from falling into the gorge. I understand the need but it changes the atmosphere.

Still, it is a nice walk and the gorge is pretty spectacular.

By 62hollie |

Fantastic views, a good stretch of the legs, and the fall colors, well worth the visit. The gorge was beautiful from the bridge.

By John2032016 |

Very beautiful views with a relatively easy walk up to the dam. The walk down to the lower pool area could be slightly challenging depending on your physical ability. We did see all ages of people who were walking the well maintained trails.

By alison o |

Such a beautiful spot
We viewed from the bridge
We also followed the trail 👣 and went to the swimming spot at the bottom on the Gorge
Well worth the walk
There are also great shops next to it
Snack bar
Gift shops
And mall
Fun spot to visit

By SteveWhiz@aol.com |

Construction spoils the view on one side of the bridge. Also the foliage is two weeks late this year. Even during a weekday, the parking lot had no spaces. It would have been helpful to have a cop directing traffic.

By Béatrice B |

Nice walk not very long with a bit of elevation gain but nothing very unrealizable. Some people even went swimming.

By TACOB0B |

The visitors center is currently closed but you can still walk the trail. A little past the center was a pull off area where you could park and walk to the bridge directly over the gorge. Great photo opportunity as the views are amazing. We got there early so there was no crowd. Later in the day we drove back by and it was so crowded it was holding up traffic so definitely get there early. Highly recommend.

By garnet159 |

We stopped here while traveling through the area. It was a rainy day so we didn't do any hiking, but took some photos from the bridge. It was amazingly beautiful with all of the trees in their full fall wardrobe! Wish we had more time and better weather to explore more of the place.

By jeminmystic |

The campground is well maintained. Bathrooms, coin operated showers, are very clean. Good trails, sites and common spaces. Staff was helpful & friendly. Quiet hours were respected. The Gorge & Damn walks require traversing some steep inclines and narrow dirt paths with exposed tree roots. Not handicapped accessible since there's a tree in the middle of one part that would prevent a wheelchair passing. The gorge is impressive and area from which to view the damn is peaceful and pleasant. Impressive falls where the power plant once was. Tick prevention recommended, as well as very careful driving. Police car was parked near the bridge most of the time we were there and we saw 3 small auto accidents during the 2 days we were there. The town/village north of the Gorge is worth visiting with its covered bridge, good restaurant and beautiful scenery (falls and rocky ravines). Got a good photo of a low flying Hot Air Balloon hovering over the covered bridge.

By Brenda M |

If you are visiting Quechee, you might as well take the short hike around the Gorge area. The visitors center is very nice and clean and the volunteer there was so helpful and sweet and knowledgeable about the surrounding area. There's a gift shop and snack bar across the street from the visitor center. It doesn't matter which side you park on, locals will stop for you to cross the sometimes busy street at the cross walks...very nice! We were told that the food at the snack bar was good but did not try it since we were headed somewhere else to lunch.

By hallidaysa |

This is a pretty gorge. There is a nice path along it with great photo ops. Lots of tourists, even in the rain, but worth a stop if you’re in the area.

By Steve S |

On I4 and quite unannounced is a road bridge dating from 1911 and it spans a very pretty gorge. It spans the Ottaqueechee River and there are walks alonside one of the banks but I must admit I was quite disappointed. Due to the steep sides and the cordoned off paths you cannot really get a =great sight of the gorge or the river apart from on the bridge. Half a mile to the north is Dewey's Pond and it is picturesque and lovely but there is a man-made concrete weir controlling the flow into the gorge. One mile in the other direction the river widens out but again the pathway doesn't give you the greatest of views.
Nature lovers will adore this place and there are plenty of trails in all directions through the Queechee State Park and the paths are nice and easy with few steep inclines but I didn't find anywhere as nice as the bridge to get a perspective photo from.
The bridge is well controlled with Zebra crossings at both ends and obviously the traffic slows as passengers gorp at the view so if you are driving, pay attention to the sudden stops that sometimes happen, either through the pedestrians stopping or somebody pulling up so their passenger could dangle out the window with a camera (yes it happened to me!)
There are two very large car parks on the Hartford side with a visitors center, hotel, food and attractions.
well worth a stop.

By Christi Michell B |

Beautiful to see!! You can stop and take pictures at the bridge and there are also stairs that go down to a trail that parallels the gorge that you can hike. Going down is not bad, but it is up hill all right he way coming back up.. not bad though if you take your time.

By Richard D |

Beautiful gorge in a lovely valley and worth visting if you're in the area. Carryout food place across the street has great ice creams, sandwishes and more with picnic tables.

By Chris B |

The main hike along the gorge is pretty short and there are very few real viewing spots along the way. Once you get to the bottom of the hill there was a path that leads down to the water. The water was really low allowing us the ability to walk out and get some great views. The view at the dam was only so-so but you get some great views from the bridge. I believe we spend about an hour here total so it was a pretty quick stop.

By jpgina53 |

GO! Our Vermont bus excursion stopped here, but it was pouring rain. The driver suggested there was a view as the bus crossed the bridge and many opted for this instead of taking the path down. Even in the rain, the view was glorious. I see why people call it the Grand Canyon of the east although the dimensions don't approach the original Grand Canyon. It was late in the season with the adjacent snack bar closed and the souvenir shop had only one day left to be open. There were a couple of restrooms in the shop.

By Mindy D |

I'm sure others also called it gorge-ous. Definitely worth a stop. On of my favorite views while in Vermont.

By Mike F |

Such a cool spot to spend some time!! We’d hiked through the west side before, which is great, but we did the trek down the gorge today and it was awesome!! My boys even swam and had a blast! It was busy in a sat. But for a free place to hike, maybe even fish and swim this was just perfect!

You do have a decent hill, nice trail but a little incline to get down.

By cathryn vaine |

We rode here on Motorcycles is was a nice ride and a great place The ice cream was great and I just love the Antique shop.

By Skip E |

My wife, son and I visited the Gorge and had a leisurely walk to the bottom and invigorating home back to the visitor’s center. Great photo opportunities all along the trail. Also took the trail to opposite direction to the dam where it all begins!

By BHUANG69 |

There are a few really great places worth visiting. First, make sure that you stay on both side of the bridges. There are wires to prevent accidents from happening but towards the middle of the bridge, there are openings on the wire so that you can stick your hands out with your cell phone (be sure to secure your phone) and take a few "wire-less" pictures (puns intended). The views on both sides of the bridges are different and depending on the time of the day, you can take pictures without the shadow of the bridge which will be breathtaking.

If you continue around one mile, you can ask people how to access the reservoir. I remember my friend turned next to a power tower and then we could walk to the reservoir and the view is breathtaking. We see on open water people canoeing. Just make sure you also visit the reservoir. But be careful there are signs all over about the poisonous turnip warning us not to touch them (they affect pets too)!

By Sarsprdoc |

Beautiful any season, especially in fall. Plenty of parking. Gift shop nearby. Not to far to village market as well which is a nice stop to pick up Vermont sundries.

By JFuhs |

The gorge is unexpected and beautiful. My husband and I went to the gorge on a Tuesday unprepared since we did not know what to expect. Once we got down to the bottom and I saw all the people jumping in the gorge my jaw dropped. I love the water and wanted to jump in with them. We walked around as much as we could with how we were dressed. I wanted to experience more so we went back on Thursday. Once we got there of course it down poured. We stayed under the bridge until it stopped. Everyone was walking back to theirs cars. By the time we got to the gorge no one was there. I was prepared this time and went in over more to the left of the gorge by the little island looking thing. I wanted so bad to jump in the other part of the gorge. Since I was not familiar with the area, didnt know the depth of the river, and have a husband who cant swim, I decided it wasnt a wise idea. I waited a while for someone to come to jump in, unfortunately it did not happen. Gives me another reason to go back and try again.

By Amber B |

Very pretty gorge. Walk is enjoyable but can be strenuous if you're coming from the campsites, though.

By 365syl-ga |

Visited Quechee Gorge on Fall Foliage tour and it was a gorgeous site. The Gorge looked beautiful with the fall colors and there is a trail that goes along the river if you are able be sure to take the short hike to the falls well worth the trip. Colors are beautiful and the falling leaves in the breeze so lovely!!!

By Joe L |

Tip 1) There are 2 access trails for the Gorge, each with free parking. The Visitor's Center or the gift shop across the street. Use the gift shop stairs access. The Visitor's Center has a long winding trail (nothing interesting to see), that just tacks on 6-7 minutes.

Tip 2) Unless the soles of your feet are tough, bring water shoes with decent grip. You have to walk along craggy rocks to get into the water. They are slippery too.

Tip 3) Take a full view of the water before jumping in. There is a decent current in some places, strong for little ones, and eventually the water flows from the bridge down to a rocky/falls area. You don't want to still be in the water when you get there. Set the proper entry/exit point for the kids before they enter. There is a nearby current-free area, but it is not deep. Good for 1-3 year olds.

Tip 4) Only go if you are somewhat agile. There are no stairs out of the water. There is no beach. You can jump in, but you need to lift yourself out.

Tip 5) Leave some energy for the walk back. It is about a 8-10 minute walk back to the gift shop stairs and it gets steep in sections. There is one rest bench half way up.

Tip 6) No bathrooms nearby. Go before (or swim downstream!)

By RYC88 |

There is a pedestrian walkway on both sides of the bridge and crosswalks at both ends, so it's easy to walk out to take pictures and see both sides of the gorge. The path by the gorge toward the Quechee Inn is very nice, although it's blocked with snow in the winter and quite mushy in the spring, so good hiking shoes or boots are necessary. It's a lovely walk to get to the dam and small waterfall from the pond by the Quechee Inn.

By lcg390 |

Lots of tourbuses. Very noisy. Pleasant and easy walk to the bottom of the gorge. The river was at a very low level, so a bit underwhelming. In dry times, there are probably more intersting walks elsewhere

By Russell B |

It is an easy stroll down a not so steep path, pretty and relaxing, the gift shop is as you would expect but the snack bar has whole belly fried clam rolls at a great price.

By tinaNtravel |

This is definitely worth a stop. You can stop on the side of the bridge that has the Visitor Center and Gift Shop, or on the other side where there are two large parking lots to the left and right. You should park and walk over the bridge – walking on one side of the bridge and on the other side on the way back. There are some intentional cut-outs in the fence on both sides to make it easier to take pics. The view is amazing. The gift shop has a number of interesting items and also some restrooms. You an also take two rather short hikes ‘Bottom of Gorge’ and ‘Dam Overlook’, which start near the Visitor Center. I recommend both walks.

By sylvester178 |

We walked the nice wooded trail (about .2 of a mile) on the tree shaded path to the dam and water fall area. It was an easy walk
and not too hot in the woods even with the warm temps. On the way back stopped on the bridge to take more photos of the gorge itself

By Martha R |

The Gorge is an interesting natural area, and a must stop if you're traveling through the area. The stores are a tourist trap, but the hiking trails are worth a day out in the woods. The bridge over the gorge has a new, and, sadly, necessary fence, which deters a tad from the scenic-ness, but there are openings for photo ops. Definitely a thing to do if you're coming to Quechee.

By kythoro |

We parked at the visitors center, which was closed in Dec, and walked across the bridge on both sides to see the Gorge. There was ice on the bridge and paths so we were not able to walk down path. Would love to see this area in the fall.

By Steven W |

Quechee is beautiful but not a destination. If you stop, take time to hike down to the reservoir and the bottom of the gorge. It only takes about 1/2 hr and is well worth the short hike. Otherwise 10 minutes is enough time to look over the bridge.

By Stephanie R |

It was a very lovely hike... easy, and relaxing, for the most part. The Gorge is beautiful, and worth the hike down to the bottom. Truly lovely.

By happycathdetroit |

We enjoyed the lovely gorge and nice hikes, both to the bottom of the gorge and to the dam. It's a beautiful spot and fun to walk around at the bottom.

By Ken V |

We stopped here on our way out of Windsor. It is an interesting place. I am not a fan of heights but this was workable. Too bad it suffered some damage from the floods that hit Vermont in July but a nice little stop. My wife took lots of pictures.

By salisburybob |

Stopped off here travelling between the Green and White Mountains.
Simple stunning. 2 lovely walks up or down the gorge (easy travel) and a road bridge safe for pedestrians to overlook the fantastic geological masterpiece. It is free to visit and run by a government department so relies on donations. Be generous it is worthwhile.

By James S |

Even when you are just passing through I highly recommend that you pull over at the parking lot by the bridge and walk across the bridge. The view is amazing!

By DJMike89 |

A beautiful walk down to the river, and in July this was a family playground. There is cool, clean, refreshing water of all depths and flows to play in. I wish we had known more. Bring shoes that you can wear in the water, because the rocks can be difficult to walk on in bare feet. We stayed for hours goofing off in shallow water, then swimming against the current in a deeper section of the gorge. It began raining as we headed back up the trail, which seemed a lot steeper on the way up than it did coming down. Since we were already wet, we decided to explore the side paths in the rain and found a lot of beautiful flora.

By Kathryn H |

Great views from above. It was raining pretty hard so we did not go for a hike. They had a nice visitor center there. Parking is close by and there are lots of other stores and shops nearby.

By agnitfom2000 |

Really nice place to go snowshoeing. You can hike along the gorge down to the river. The hike is about a half mile long. Park just east of the bridge on the north side. You then pass under the bridge to take the trail. You can also hike northward towards Dewey Pond.

By John S |

We hiked down to the bottom of the Gorge from the bridge and when we got there we realized we should have brought our swimming trunks. It was a very pretty area on the side of the river. There were a lot of people there, and many were swimming, but we didn't realize that was going to be the case so we forgot our swimsuits. I would love to go back and take a dip in the water.

By MT1 |

We stopped by just to check it out, did not take the hike down to the gorge but just admired the views from the bridge. Certainly worth a stop.

By CharlieinTexas |

Alas, construction on the road/bridge over the gorge. Limited view from above — only one direction. Natural wonder. The area, including small villages, water, and foliage great. Quechee area not the highlight of our trip to this area.

By LMom1 |

Definitely stop in at the Visitor Center on the southeast side of the bridge over the Ottauquechee River. They have good information and the small building has some informative signs about the history of the bridge and the area. It is free to pick up a map and walk along the gorge. The path from the Visitor Center down the edge of the gorge to the south is wide and safe (fence between path and gorge edge). It is a bit steep and not paved, so wouldn't work for wheelchairs. it's also a bit more effort to come back up but there are benches along the way to rest. There's a beautiful large pond area at the bottom of the waterfalls which some were enjoying for wading. Some of the best photos are from the bridge itself, just be careful walking across and along the bridge due to the car traffic. Although there is a State Park in the area, you don't need to enter the State Park to do this walk and get these views.

By TransplantedBuckeye |

Driving by with time to kill, so I stopped. Takes about 1-2 hours at a leisurely pace. Nice hike with slight incline. Small welcome center with a few exhibits.

By Smilemilie |

Nice and easy walk to see a beautiful scenery! Plenty of branches to rest if you need to and to enjoy the views.
Glad we topped by.
A must do when in the area.

By Middle_Aged_Guy |

If you're in the area and looking for something to do, visit the Quechee gorge and dam. To view the Quechee gorge and the bridge over it, you have to climb over rough rocks so make sure you have appropriate shoes. I am told that sometimes the water level is so high you may not get a clear view of the bridge over the gorge. While this view is nice, it also worthwhile to visit the dam around half a mile from the bridge in the opposite direction from the gorge view. I liked the water rushing over the dam going down the river view and was more impressed by it over the gorge.

Everything starts from the visitor center. The visitor center is not clearly marked off the freeway and it is easy to miss, as I did.