Moss Glen Falls

Moss Glen Falls drops where the stream meets a resistant band of rock and pours over it into a narrow cleft. Over long spans of time, running water wears away weaker rock faster than harder rock, and where a durable ledge sits above softer stone, a waterfall develops and slowly cuts back into the slope.

The narrow, shaded glen keeps the rock damp and cool, which is why moss and ferns cloak the walls and give the falls its name. The constant spray sustains a lush micro-world of moisture-loving plants.

The height comes from the steep terrain of the Green Mountain foothills, where streams tumbling off the high ground create a series of drops and cascades like this one.

From the trailhead, a short path leads through the woods to a view of the falls at the base, an easy outing suitable for a quick stop. This lower viewpoint is the safe, popular one and gives a fine look at the full cascade.

More ambitious visitors sometimes climb steep, eroded side paths for higher views, but these routes are slick, unstable, and genuinely hazardous near the drop-offs, and they have led to accidents at Vermont waterfalls. The lower view is the sensible reward.

Because it is so accessible and close to a resort town, the falls can be busy on nice weekends, so an early or weekday visit finds it quieter.

The moist, sheltered glen is rich in mosses, liverworts, and ferns, and the surrounding forest of maple, birch, and evergreen is classic Green Mountain woodland alive with songbirds.

Cool, clean mountain streams like this one support amphibians and aquatic insects, and the shade and spray create a refuge that stays green and damp even in dry spells.

It is a place that rewards a slow look at the small scale, the textures of wet rock and moss, as much as the sweep of the falls itself.

Spring runs highest, fed by snowmelt and rain, when the falls are fullest and most dramatic.

Summer is green and inviting, though flow can drop in a dry spell; the shaded glen stays cool on hot days.

Fall frames the falls in foliage for a memorable scene, while winter can turn the cascade to ice, beautiful but with slick, dangerous trails that demand caution or avoidance.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Moss Glen Falls, near Stowe in northern Vermont, is a beautiful and beloved waterfall, one of the most scenic and photographed cascades in the state. The falls tumble gracefully down a series of ledges into a wooded gorge, framed by mossy rock and forest, and are reached by a short walk from the road, making them wonderfully accessible. Set in a lovely natural area amid the mountains near Stowe, Moss Glen Falls rewards visitors with a picturesque cascade and a peaceful woodland setting. A favorite stop for waterfall lovers and photographers, it delights visitors. With its graceful cascade, Moss Glen Falls offers a scenic destination in Vermont.

You can take the short walk to view the beautiful waterfall tumbling down its ledges into the wooded gorge, photograph the picturesque cascade and mossy setting, and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings, with a longer trail available for those wishing to explore further. The scenic cascade, the easy access, the lovely woodland setting, and the photo opportunities are the draws, making it a rewarding quick stop near Stowe. Its accessibility and beauty make it a favorite. With its cascade and setting, Moss Glen Falls offers an enjoyable experience in Vermont.

The short walk to view Moss Glen Falls is easy, but as at any waterfall, caution is important, as the rocks near the water and falls are wet and slippery and there are drops. Staying on the trail and at the viewing areas, keeping back from the edges and the tops of the falls, not climbing on the slippery rocks, and watching children closely are wise, as falls and injuries can occur at waterfalls. Admiring the falls from the safe viewpoints is best. Respecting the slippery rock ensures a safe visit to Moss Glen Falls in Vermont.

Spring brings the most powerful water flow from snowmelt, making the falls especially dramatic, while summer offers pleasant, shaded walking, and fall is beautiful when the surrounding forest turns colorful, a favorite time. The falls can run lower in dry late summer. For the fullest falls aim for spring, or visit in fall for foliage framing the cascade, at Moss Glen Falls near Stowe, Vermont.

Moss Glen Falls is near Stowe in northern Vermont, within reach of Mount Mansfield, Smugglers Notch, the Stowe Recreation Path, the Trapp Family Lodge, and the Ben and Jerry's Factory in Waterbury. That makes Moss Glen Falls a scenic stop to combine with Mount Mansfield, the Stowe Recreation Path, and the other attractions of the Stowe area on a visit to Vermont.