Are there fees or permits required for Gages Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Gages Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Gages Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Gages Falls.

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Gages Falls near North Westminster, Vermont, showing about 54 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing southwest

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Nearby gauge (Williams River) · 45 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Gages Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Gages Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Gages Falls.

Vermont

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

About Gages Falls

Gages Falls is a waterfall on the Saxtons River in North Westminster, also called Gageville, in Westminster, Vermont, just below the bridge on Covered Bridge Road. The ruins of Gages Mill stand beside the falls. Twin Falls is a short distance downriver near Forest Road; that stretch has a long history of drownings, and swimming there is posted as prohibited.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Great Falls (52 ft) lies 1.5 miles to the northeast. Also nearby: Twin Falls (30 ft, 0.1 mi) and Saxtons River Falls (8 ft, 3.1 mi).

Great Falls Twin Falls Saxtons River Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Gages Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Gages Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

The pools at Twin Falls on this stretch of the Saxtons River have caused many drownings. Stay out of the water near the falls.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Low

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Williams River, 5.4 miles away, not on Gages Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

45 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

43 64 233 449

Based on 40 years of record

2.32 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

WILLIAMS RIVER NEAR ROCKINGHAM VT

USGS 01153550

5.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 112 sq mi

Altitude: 303 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge WILLIAMS RIVER NEAR ROCKINGHAM VT (9 km away).

High confidence

Low right now

45 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

49 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

51 cfs

5/10

Sat

Low

50 cfs

5/10

Sun

Low

53 cfs

6/10

Mon

Low

51 cfs

6/10

Tue

Low

52 cfs

6/10

Wed

Low

45 cfs

6/10

Best window: Sun — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to mid May, peaking in April.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near North Westminster hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Gages Falls Frozen?

Updated about 6 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Gages Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 37°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 45 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Vermont.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 54 feet of drop through Gages Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 334 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 49 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 38 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Gages Falls near North Westminster, Vermont, for comparison with the lidar view

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 334 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 54 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Gages Falls is just below the Covered Bridge Road bridge over the Saxtons River in North Westminster, west of Bellows Falls.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

335 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.116300° N, -72.456200° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Bring a map or GPS as cell service may be unreliable in rural areas. Wear sturdy footwear if exploring the area around the falls.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

SURRY MOUNTAIN LAKE BEACH

10.4 miles away · 3 sites

Reservable

Overview Surry Mountain Lake Beach is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use facility located on the Ashuelot River in Surry, New Hampshire.Recreation Swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, paddling and fishing are just a few of the favorite activities enjoyed at Surry Mountain Lake Beach. A boat ramp is available for small boats, kayaks and canoes. There are picnic tables and grills located throughout the park, as well as a playground.Facilities Surry Mountain Lake Beach has restrooms with flush toil

Book on Recreation.gov