Sutherland Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Sutherland Falls is a waterfall in Rutland County, Vermont, about 4.7 miles northwest of Rutland. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Rutland County, VT

Nearest town

Rutland (4.7 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★☆ 4.0 from 17 reviews

Crowds

Quieter

Coordinates

43.66340, -73.03344

USGS topo

Proctor quad

Getting there

Sutherland Falls sits about 4.7 miles northwest of Rutland in Rutland County. Google lists the address as Proctor, VT 05765.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Sutherland Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Vermont waterfalls are a mix of public and private land. The Green Mountain National Forest manages several in the central and southern mountains, and state forests and parks, such as Mount Mansfield State Forest, hold others. Many smaller falls are in towns, on private land with long-standing public use, or along rivers where access is informal; respect posted signs and parking rules. Roadside pullouts along Route 100 fill during foliage season. Hazards include cold water even in summer, strong currents and deep pools in narrow gorges, and slippery, moss-covered ledges. Gorge swimming holes have been the site of drownings and serious falls. Major floods in 2011 and 2023 reshaped some streams and trails, so conditions can differ from older descriptions.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Sutherland Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Vermont. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 43.66340, -73.03344 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Spring snowmelt dominates Vermont's waterfall calendar. Flows usually peak from April into May, but that period coincides with mud season, when unpaved roads turn to mud and higher-elevation trails are vulnerable to damage, so many visitors focus on roadside falls in spring. By late May and June, trails dry out and falls still run well. Midsummer brings lower flows on smaller brooks, though summer thunderstorms can bring brief surges and swimming holes draw crowds. Fall foliage, generally from late September through mid October, is Vermont's busiest season, especially along Route 100 and around Stowe. Late autumn rains often revive the falls. Winter turns many falls into ice formations, but snow-covered approaches and short days require caution. With 17 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Sutherland Falls holds a 4.0-star average across 17 Google reviews, and 53% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Rutland County. Visitors have shared 28 photos.

A 50-foot waterfall on a creek & powerhouse for historic marble quarrying works.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Sutherland Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on May 11, 2001, and it appears on the USGS Proctor 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Beaver Pond (reservoir, 0.7 mi), Olympus Pool (lake, 0.8 mi), Reynolds Reservoir (reservoir, 1.4 mi), and Pine Hill (summit, 1.4 mi).

Central Green Mountains and Champlain Slope. West of the main ridge, streams fall from the mountains toward Otter Creek and Lake Champlain. In Addison County, Texas Falls drops through a narrow, sculpted gorge in the Green Mountain National Forest, and a second Moss Glen Falls, in Granville, is a tall, fan-shaped cascade visible from a short path along Route 100. The Falls of Lana, near Lake Dunmore in the Moosalamoo area, is a series of drops in a steep ravine. In Rutland County, Sutherland Falls in Proctor and Center Rutland Falls are tied to the marble industry and historic waterpower along Otter Creek.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Sutherland Falls about 4.7 miles northwest of Rutland is rated 4.0 out of 5 by 17 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Sutherland Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.