Smuggler's Notch Spring, Jeffersonville, VT

## Overview Smuggler's Notch Spring is a natural mountain spring located along the scenic Route 108 (the Mountain Road) as it winds through the dramatic Smuggler's Notch pass in the Green Mountains of northern Vermont. The spring flows continuously through a small pipe emerging from the mountainside, feeding into a concrete catch basin with four walls but no concrete floor — allowing the water to filter naturally through the ground below. The water runs ice-cold year-round, fed by the mountain's natural aquifers. Smuggler's Notch itself has a storied history: the narrow pass earned its name during the War of 1812, when American smugglers used the rugged, hard-to-patrol route to illegally trade with British-controlled Canada in defiance of President Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807. Later, the notch served as a route on the Underground Railroad, helping freedom seekers escape to Canada. The towering cliffs and massive boulders that line the road — some as large as houses — are remnants of glacial activity from the last Ice Age, making the geological setting of this spring as impressive as its water. Visitors have long used this roadside spring as a refreshing stop while driving through the notch, and the water has been reported to be very clean and cold. However, as with any natural, untreated water source, it has not been officially tested or certified as potable. ## Directions The spring is located on Route 108 (the Mountain Road) between Stowe and Jeffersonville, on the Jeffersonville (north) side of the notch. 1. **Starting from the north (Jeffersonville side):** From the Club Wyndham Smugglers' Notch resort or the Smugglers' Notch Resort lodges, head south on Route 108 (Mountain Road) toward Stowe. 2. Continue south past the restaurants and shops in the Smugglers' Notch village area. 3. Keep driving until you pass the trailhead and parking area for **Bingham Falls** on your left. 4. Just a short distance past Bingham Falls, look for the spring on the **right side of the road**. You'll see a small pipe emerging from the rock face with water flowing into a concrete basin. 5. **GPS coordinates:** 44.548332, -72.794167 **Important seasonal note:** The Vermont Agency of Transportation closes Route 108 through Smuggler's Notch each winter (typically from late November through mid-May, depending on conditions). During the closure, the spring is inaccessible by car. Snowmobile access may be possible, but the road is not maintained for vehicle traffic during this period. ## What to Expect The spring is a simple but satisfying roadside stop. Cold, clear water flows steadily from a pipe protruding from the mountainside into a small concrete catch basin. The flow is constant, making it easy to fill bottles directly from the pipe. The surrounding scenery is spectacular — steep cliff faces, dense forest, and the massive glacial boulders that Smuggler's Notch is famous for tower above the road. The area around the notch offers plenty to explore. **Bingham Falls**, just a short distance away, is one of Vermont's most beautiful waterfalls and is accessible via a short trail from the road. The notch itself is a popular destination for rock climbing, hiking, and leaf-peeping in autumn. In winter, the nearby Smugglers' Notch Resort is a major ski destination, though the mountain road and spring will be inaccessible by car. Parking near the spring is limited to roadside pull-offs, so be cautious of traffic — Route 108 through the notch is narrow and winding with limited visibility. The drive through the notch is an experience in itself, with hairpin turns and dramatic rock formations on both sides of the road. Large vehicles (RVs, buses, trailers) are prohibited from driving through the notch due to the extremely tight turns and narrow road width.