What to Expect at Bash Bish STATE PARK

Now, when TLC told people around the country "Don't go chasing waterfalls" this is definitely not what they meant. This waterfall, which lies directly on the line between New York and Massachusetts, is one of those places that is absolutely and certainly worth the drive, the hike, whatever you have to do to get here. It's a place that I ALWAYS get millions of questions about, and is certainly one of my favorite local travel places to talk about. Below outlines everything you need to know when planning your trip here so that you can have the absolute best time and you know exactly what to expect.

WHAT IS BASH BISH FALLS?

Bash Bish Falls is a waterfall in the Taconic Mountains that's located near both the Massachusetts and New York border. The main falls is 60 feet tall with a large pool at the bottom. This water then flows into multiple little falls that continue down until it finally becomes one large stream. In total, there is nearly 200 feet of cascading water to see at this state park.

WHY IS IT CALLED BASH BISH FALLS?

The locals believe that the name "Bash Bish" (often mistakenly called "Bish Bash") comes from a legend about a Native American woman. According to the story, she was tied to a canoe and sent over the falls as punishment for being unfaithful to her fiancé. Some also say that Bash Bish's daughter, White Swam, later suffered the same exact fate as her mother. While this story seems to be more legend than truth, that is exact where the name of the waterfall comes from.

WHERE IS BASH BISH FALLS LOCATED?

Bash Bish Falls is located at Falls Road in Mount Washington, Massachusetts. Entryway can also be found at 396 NY-344 in Copake Falls, New York. Depending on the type of hike you're looking to do (shorter but more difficult or longer and less difficult) you can really park at either parking lot.

HOW TALL IS BASH BISH FALLS?

The main falls at Bash Bish Falls is approximately 60 feet in height. However, there are also mini waterfalls that flow from the water into the pool at the base of the main falls, so Bash Bish Falls technically has over 200 feet of cascading water. This is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the state of Massachusetts, but there are taller waterfalls in the state of New York than Bash Bish Falls.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BASH BISH FALLS?

The best time of year to visit Bash Bish Falls is definitely the summer. While swimming is technically not allowed, many people still do opt to bring their bathing suits and towels and go for a dip somewhere in the state park. If you are going to go in the summer though, I would advise going earlier on a week day. If you want to sit somewhere with a great view of the main falls, it does get crowded quickly so the earlier the better.

WHERE DO YOU PARK AT BASH BISH FALLS: NEW YORK VS. MASSACHUSETTS TRAILHEADS?

There are actually two parking lots at Bash Bish Falls, about five minutes away from each other- one on the Massachusetts side, and one on the New York side. The Massachusetts lot, which I've parked in multiple times, is next to a steep, one-mile hike down to the waterfall. The New York lot, on the other hand, is a two to three mile and drastically less steep route to the waterfall. If you park at the Massachusetts parking lot and opt for that shorter, more difficult hike, you'll notice a singular paper next to the map that reads:

"This trail to Bash Bish Falls transverses a quarter of a mile, and descends 300 feet. To get back here, you will climb 300 feet straight up. You have a choice. A longer, but much more level trail starts one mile west of here. To reach that trail, drive downhill to the New York Parking lot. It will be on your left. The trail from there takes about 20 minutes each way."

HOW LONG IS THE BASH BISH FALLS HIKE?

It depends on which state's hike that you opt for! If you park at the Massachusetts trailhead, the hike is about 0.3 miles one way, but it’s steep and rocky, taking around 10–15 minutes to go down but 30 minutes to climb back up at a sharp incline. If you prefer an easier walk, park at the New York trailhead in Taconic State Park, where the hike is approximately 1.5 miles one way on a wide, mostly flat path that takes around 30–40 minutes regardless of if you're going down or coming back up. Both trails lead to the same falls.

HIKING THE MASSACHUSETTS TRAIL: MY EXPERIENCE

The hike down on the Massachusetts trail is not too bad, only taking about 10 minutes for my friends and I. The best part about this hike down is that the path is clearly marked, and there are wooden steps some of the way, a big rectangle of wood to go over a little stream, and more man-made things that added to the beauty of the path without overpowering the natural beauty of those woods. It also is a good backdrop for candids, which I took a lot of during my most recent trip.

After the hike down, you'll come upon a concrete clearing. This clearing has a fence that overlooks the entire waterfall, and all the way to the left has about 50 steps that lead down to the waterfall. Once you get down those steps, it is easy to see that while there is the main waterfall, the water continues down rocks over another smaller waterfall and another smaller waterfall, and keeps going this way until it finally becomes a large stream. Since there are so many falls, people often swim in all three locations (even though swimming is not technically permitted). The main falls is good to swim in since its so deep, and you can swim right up to the waterfall.

CAN YOU SWIM AT BASH BISH FALLS?

No, swimming is not permitted at Bash Bish Falls. There were three deaths in the 1960's and swimming at Bash Bish Falls has not been permitted ever since but many visitors have ignored the signage and swam anyway for decades. It wasn't until August 2018 when a man died swimming on a Friday evening that the rules were enforced even more. Since then, along with the popularity of the spot during the pandemic, local police have enforced the "no swimming" rule and even put barricades up recently to stop people from being able to get into the water. While I did successfully swim here a few times back in 2018 and 2019 (before I knew about the deaths), I'm sad to say I wouldn't try it again. It's a beautiful place and I did love swimming there but it's just not worth a ticket or someone getting hurt.

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIMERS VISITING BASH BISH FALLS

Below are a couple tips I learned after visiting Bash Bish Falls a couple of times:

WHY IS BASH BISH FALLS CLOSED?

Bash Bish Falls is currently closed due to safety concerns and environmental preservation efforts. In recent years, the area has faced issues with overcrowding (especially during the pandemic), littering, and unsafe behavior near the water—especially swimmers ignoring the "no swimming" rule. These problems have led to increased erosion, pollution, and several injuries, so in response local authorities have decided to temporarily shut down access to protect both visitors and the area. While you can still access surrounding hiking trails, the viewing area at the base of the falls is off-limits until further notice.

WHEN WILL BASH BISH FALLS REOPEN?

As of now, there unfortunately is no reopening date for Bash Bish Falls. The closure was put in place due to ongoing safety concerns and environmental damage caused by overcrowding and off-trail activity. Officials are working on long-term solutions, but in the meantime, visitors are encouraged to explore other nearby hiking spots while respecting posted closures.

ALTERNATIVE WATERFALLS NEAR BASH BISH FALLS

If Bash Bish Falls is temporarily closed during your visit, don’t worry—there are still some beautiful waterfall hikes in the area that are worth exploring. Here are a few great alternatives within a short drive:

PLAN YOUR NEXT EAST COAST ADVENTURE

Whether you're chasing waterfalls or planning a scenic day hike, Bash Bish Falls is one of the most iconic spots in the Berkshires—even if it's temporarily closed. I’m based on the East Coast and love exploring hidden gems like this, but I’ve also traveled to 17 countries and counting. If you're looking for more local adventures or travel inspiration, scroll down for more Massachusetts blog posts or hit subscribe to follow along on my journey!