🏞️ River Swim
🟢 Easy $5 per adult, $2 per child ⚠️ Safety Note
🌊 About Jamaica State Park (West River)
A scenic West River park best known nationally for scheduled Ball Mountain Dam whitewater releases that draw competitive kayakers — casual swimmers should check the release calendar, since river character here shifts dramatically and predictably between 'calm wading river' and 'whitewater' depending on the schedule.
📋 Visit Details
Entry Fee
$5 per adult, $2 per child
Water Temperature
💧 Cold, and current strength varies dramatically and SCHEDULED around Ball Mountain Dam releases
Best Season
📅 Scheduled release weekends (spring/fall) create whitewater conditions unsuitable for casual swimming; calmer for wading/swimming outside release windows
Water Type
River section subject to scheduled whitewater dam releases
Managed By
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation (Jamaica State Park) / Ball Mountain Dam (US Army Corps of Engineers)
County
Windham County, Vermont
🗺️ Getting There
Address / Access Point:
48 Salmon Hole Ln, Jamaica, VT 05343
Access Notes:
Easy park access; check the Army Corps of Engineers release schedule before assuming calm conditions — this park is nationally known for its scheduled whitewater kayak racing, not casual swimming
✅ Before You Go — Checklist
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Check current water conditions — especially after recent rain
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Save GPS coordinates offline before leaving — cell service may be limited
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Bring cash or card for entry: $5 per adult, $2 per child
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Pack reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag, water shoes and plenty of drinking water
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Tell someone where you are going before heading to a remote location
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Pack out everything you bring in — leave no trace