Hiking Bash Bish Falls: Everything You Need to Know

Bash Bish Falls is a renowned local staple, nestled in the southern Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts in the Berkshires. It’s an ethereal place that draws people from all over southern New England and NY.

Bash Bish is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New England and is Massachusetts’ highest single-drop waterfall, uniquely plunging more than 60 feet into a serene pool of indigo below. 💦

I say it’s unique because the river flow is split by a gigantic boulder, easily the size of a bus, that rests eternal in the middle of the Bash Bish Brook, lording atop the falls. 

Here you’ll find a special blend of rich history, intriguing geology, and accessible hiking trails, all accessed from entry points in both Massachusetts and New York.

In this post, you’ll find a description and details about 2 different trails to choose from that lead you to the falls, plus where to eat after! 😍🥐☕️

Living in the Berkshires for years and now next door in Connecticut, Bash Bish is a treasure and a must for anyone living or visiting in the area!

All About Bash Bish Falls💦

🪨Geology 101:

Bash Bish Falls is a dramatic series of steep cascades formed during the last ice age, when glaciers carved and shaped the landscape, leaving behind precipitous cliffs and deep gorges. 

The falls consist of flumes, cascades, and punch bowls within a deep, narrow gorge. 

The final cascade splits into twin falls around that aforementioned boulder, dropping approximately 60 feet into the pool below. 

Bash Bish Brook, originating from a spring in Mount Washington, Massachusetts has slowly been carving a 1,000-foot-deep valley between Bash Bish Mountain and Cedar Mountain in the Taconics, contributing to the area’s unique and dramatic topography.

📖 The Legend of Bash Bish

According to Mohican legend, Bash Bish was an aptly named young Native American woman who was accused of violating local tribal laws. Her specific transgressions remain unknown, but whatever it was must have been heinous enough to warrant a gnarly punishment.

It’s said that Bash Bish was tied to a canoe and sent barreling over the as-yet-named waterfall to her ultimate demise. 

However, instead of perishing in the traditional sense, her spirit is believed to have merged with the perpetual swirling mists, airflow, and water of the falls, forever haunting the area. 

Whether that tall tale is true is anyone’s guess. Still, the mystical aura surrounding Bash Bish Falls endures, with many visitors claiming to see amorphous shapes in the mist, reinforcing its reputation as a historically sacred and mysterious place.

🥾2 Different Trails to Bash Bish Falls 🥾

1) From Bash Bish State Park in Massachusetts:

• Hike for just 0.6 miles total for the falls OR hike on through Taconic State Park for a total of 2.1 miles

🛑 The Mount Washington entrance is closed until June 12, 2025, due to erosion. Please visit via the NY side, the 2nd trail on this list.

Find this upper parking area on Falls Road in Mount Washington, Massachusetts. 

From the parking lot, there’s a trail leading downhill towards the falls. After just 0.3 miles, you will arrive at the falls!

You can enjoy the view of the falls from the upper observation deck area here. You used to be able to go down the set of stone steps leading to the falls, but that has been closed off in recent years. :/ (see photo below).

After enjoying the scene, you can then walk back up the hill to the car or continue walking on the wide path along Bash Bish Brook, which is super scenic, and then you can turn back around when you’re ready.

The return trip is a steep uphill climb, so hikers should be prepared for the ascent.

2.) From Taconic State Park in New York:

• 1.6 miles with around 250 feet of elevation gain

This route begins at the lower parking area in Taconic State Park, Copake Falls, New York. 

This gentle, roughly three-quarter-mile uphill trail follows a wide old woods road alongside Bash Bish Brook, offering a more gradual and relaxing incline. 

This route provides a scenic approach with views of Bash Bish Brook, along with less elevation change compared to the first hike on the list. 

You’ll hike in two states here and cross the NY border and enter MA near the falls.

If you want to see Bash Bish Falls but also have a longer hike, check out how you can access several trails from either parking area, including routes to the glorious summit of nearby Alander Mountain and other notable Taconic Peaks.

Want to pair another hike after your visit to Bash Bish? Check out one of my other posts: Top Hikes in the Berkshires or even 11 Must-See Waterfalls in the Berkshires.

🥐Where to eat before or after your hike at Bash Bish:

If you’re heading back to the NY side of Bash Bish you can find the highly rated Depot Deli just 22 minutes west! It’s a great stop for a morning egg and cheese or a tasty sandwich for lunch.

If you’re heading east back into MA, drive 14 minutes and get a table at Mom’s Country Cafe (a local staple!), which is open everyday 7-3, or stop next to Mom’s at Harmony Cafe, which offers grab-and-go sandwiches.

✅Visiting Hours and Rules 💦

Bash Bish Falls State Park is open from dawn to dusk. Below are common rules to follow to ensure the park remains clean and open for all to visit and admire!

• No swimming or entering the water: The area around the falls is hazardous due to slippery rocks and strong currents.

• Stay within designated viewing areas: Direct access to the falls is prohibited; visitors must remain in dedicated viewing spots. This certainly won’t hinder any incredible views!

• Leashed pets are permitted: Dogs must be on a leash while hiking at all times, and owners should clean up after their pets.

• Carry-in, carry-out policy: No trash receptacles are available; visitors must take all personal items and trash with them. Bash Bish has been closed in the past due to crowds leaving lots of trash in the busy summer months. Carry in what you carry out!

After visiting Bash Bish: The Iron Works 🪨

A neighboring sister to Bash Bish Falls State Park is the lovely Taconic State Park, and within are long abandoned remnants of the once bustling iron works industry, like a beautifully preserved blast furnace, machine shop, crumbling rock walls and foundations, and other historic structures. 

All now part of the park’s Copake Iron Works Historic District, which is widely considered one of the best preserved iron works sites in the entire northeastern US.

In the 1800s, iron mining and smelting flourished in the area, giving rise to Copake Iron Works, which operated from 1845 to 1903. 

⁉️Common FAQs about visiting Bash Bish Falls