For up-to-date pricing, availability, and to make camping reservations, please visit the. Very crowded trail unfortunately but gorgeous none the less. Funny. can we manage to do the steeper one? Hope that helps! One story includes a 15-year-old who, several decades ago, almost fell off the Falls, but was caught by the wrists and pulled to safety. Bash Bish Falls is located in Bash Bish Falls State Park. below to park at the appropriate location for your hike. There were small patches of mud on the trail but otherwise in very good condition. [9], Recently the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation installed railings to prevent falls, More than 25 deaths have occurred at the Falls in the past century. Since youre hard core, youll just walk right past it. Get directions. New! You can also get directions by checking out the Bash Bish Falls (MA trailhead) entry on the HiketheHudsonValley.com Google map. You feel nestled in a cozy rock out cove and its quite beautiful there. While Massachusetts officials have placed orange and white barricades at the top of the stairway that leads down to the falls and have posted patrols there to enforce the rules, the adjoining Taconic State Park in New York is mirroring its neighbors efforts and has law enforcement personnel patrolling along the brook, Mr. Rickard said. I have my 80yr old parents with me.. they are in great shape, I just can't have them walking on rock scrambles or anything like that. Please advise regarding this matter. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Rocky, nice little hike to the falls. In the southwestern corner of Massachusetts Bash Bish Falls drops 80 feet from its summit to a shallow pool and a creek. The stream is on your right all along the trail up to the falls. From the New York parking lot, the walk is an easy, flatter 1.5-mile roundtrip stroll. From the lower car park there is an uphill path to follow that is quite rough in places. 5. Turn left! Respect the dangers without taking risks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Advanced features of this website require that you enable JavaScript in your browser. Nice spot. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Longer and gradual, but rocky and uneven. Bash Bish Falls is a popular hiking destination in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. You dont hang and swim and litter and carry on in a disrespectful way. Once you get to where the two trails meet up (you can see the falls from there) you can see what might be the remnants of an old trail but it doesnt lead anywhere. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. what trail should we take? I dont recall of a death here ever, whereas there have been numerous deaths at Kaaterskill. Photo courtesy Wikipedia Really appreciate your help to keep this guide current! Bash Bish Falls is the highest waterfall in Massachusetts and a popular scenic destination. The falls are located in Southwestern Massachusetts in the Taconic Mountains of Berkshire County, which neighbors Mount Washington State Forest in Massachusetts and Taconic State Park in New York. The cabin areas vary in number of cabins, location and size. The number of visitors to Bash Bish Falls is now regulated from both sides of the New York/Massachusetts border after serious issues erupted due to overcrowding. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation has implemented a parking area closure until further notice at Bash Bish Falls State Park on Falls Road, said DCR spokesperson Olivia K. Dorrance. You used to be able to take the stairs down to the base of the falls and enjoy the beauty from that level. Stop at the newly created Copake Iron Works Museum to learn about the iron industry at the former site of Copake Iron Works, established in 1845. The brook cuts between Bash Bish Mountain (elevation 1890) and Cedar Mountain (elevation 1883) creating a dramatic gorge that frames the falls. I agree with Chuck no need to tackle the steeper one if youre at all worried. Park police from New York State and park rangers from Massachusetts joined in an effort to increase patrols, according to the story. I live locally, it was in the paper. Gorgeous view of the waterfall at the end. So glad we went! That was still very refreshing on a hot June day. Your friend that will bring you to the falls in about five more minutes. I dont remember how wheelchair friendly the trail was, whether it was paved or rocky. It was awesome! There are plenty of activities for campers, as well as day visitors to enjoy in the oldest State Park in the Taconic Region. All hiking trails remain open. These are the two main access points for viewing Bash Bish Falls. 2. A 12.4-mile hiking trail. Bash Bish Falls State Park Easy (1206 Bash Bish Falls from Taconic State Park Taconic State Park Moderate (705 Alander Mountain Trail Mount Washington State Forest Moderate 574 Sunset Rock Trail Taconic State Park Hard (167 Alander Mountain Trail via South Taconic Trail Mount Washington State Forest Easy (362 Jug End Road It looks like you can only visit the base of Bash Bish after Columbus Day. It is a relatively easy hike with a slight uphill incline as you approach the waterfall. Along the way, there are several beautiful photo opportunities along the stream. This is a beautiful waterfall along the NY & NE border. Luckily this plow truck with a mountain of man operator came by. Write a review. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Bike or stroll along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, hike to Bash Bish Falls, just over the Massachusetts border or up Brace Mountain, the highest point in Dutchess County. From the MA trail head, it should take about 10 minutes down and 20-30 back up, depending on your level of fitness. Pets on leash always. From the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), take exit 2 for Route 102 West and continue to Route 7 South. What restaurants are near Bash Bish Falls? Thanks for this write up. Some icy spots but overall good condition. I imagine this is because people were breaking the the rules that this became a safety issue. A story headlined "'Hordes of people breaking every single rule' pack Bash Bish Falls" clocked in at number 4 on The Edge's top 25 most-read stories of 2020. From Highway 344 in Copake Falls, Falls Road veers off, leading to the parks two parking areas. Picnicking: Year-round. We ask all visitors to only use designated trails and areas open to the public. Great photo ops at the falls. Once you reach the falls, you can walk down the stairs (which are steep and awkward) to get close, however, you do not have to walk down the stairs to see the falls. It is a very pretty hike with all the fall foliage around you. The waterfall was stunning, with all of the snow and ice. The gorgeous sight hides in the Berkshire Hills' forest, near the state limit with New York. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 8. Out and back. After 30 minutes of waiting in the New York lot, I drove up the road to find the Massachusetts lot with Jeff patiently waiting in it. As it turned out, Bash Bish has two parking lots, one in Massachusetts and one in New York, separated by about a mile. Rocks and roots, so watch out, but fun to follow river to the falls. Entering the water is prohibited. Excellent Trail thoroughly marked! https://youtu.be/Yy55liBcs7I. Dont know how. If youd like to descend and then climb back up a hill on your way to the falls, see the write-up below for the walk from the MA trailhead. There wasn't anybody else out today except for this one hardy young couple - we kept our distance, covid you know. These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. [7][8], As a result both the Massachusetts and New York conservation park officers increased patrolling, closed or limited use of the parking area to the falls, and even closed the park for a time. Save. I bet the Parks Service could be of assistance, though theyre right next to the falls. When heading to Cedar Brook, cross the road. My thanks to the owner of the local Subway shop for recommending it. Background you can feel free to skip: Dude, youre supposed to be at the Bash Bish parking lot. I believe it was fairly flat from the NY trailhead to the overlook where you could see the falls. Perfect conditionsa few inches of snow cover, no other hikers, lots of critter footprints. I would not have noticed the overlook if you hadnt mentioned it. You end up in the same place. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly. He gave me some good advice about traveling in the area in this kind of weather. Will Starbucks in downtown Saratoga Springs be reopening? Dorrance also advised those who are ill, over 70 or are part of a vulnerable population to stay home. No access to the upper gorge from the Massachusetts parking lot it is dangerous. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 41 min to complete. also, do you have to go down or up the stairs that I see in the pic to actually see the falls? Dress in layers to be able to regulate your comfort level. Located on the border of New York and Massachusetts in the Taconic Mountains, Bash Bish Falls is a frequent destination for Hudson Valley residents and visitors. Is playing in the water allowed anywhere in the park? He plowed in front of me and laid some dirt or salt or something down and I was able to get out of there. Phone. There is no rope blocking the steps down to the falls, but there are signs up saying they are closed. I have seen sheer stupidity of people swimming, and people climbing onto high rocks they shouldnt be on and jumping, but Ive never seen anything else that would put anyone in danger. Refer toAll Activities - Hikingbelow to park at the appropriate location for your hike. Jeff Lashoones This was a nice way to get some exercise and enjoy nature. Blue shared some stories about the Falls, which can show how dangerous they can be in some cases. Man, was it this steep on the way down? The use of handguns are not permitted in any state parks. The trailer sites allow trailers up to 30 feet in length, but do not offer hook up facilities. If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. The closure is part of an effort to manage park capacity but the park itself remains open to visitors. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals). (413) 528-0330. Parking is also available at Taconic State Park, off NY Route 344 in Copake Falls, NY. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Thanks for the GPS location info on this post. No youth hunts. WASHINGTON, Mass. I ended up picking up a cool bash bish t-shirt.gotta support the little shops! No access to the upper gorge from the Massachusetts parking lotit is dangerous. Deer and Bear archery season (early bow): 10/1 to 11/20. When youre done lazing about on the rocks and soaking in the view and the mist, retrace your steps to return to your car, taking the White Trail to a right turn on the Blue Trail all the way up, climbing just over 300 vertical feet. Remembersafety first. Directions to the trailhead: From Millerton, NY, head north on Route 22 for 12 miles. (A sign pointing the way to the falls which Im guessing 95% of people at this junction are looking for might be a nice addition here. Easy to slip but trail is wide enough on NY side. A popular spot for visitors, this scenic and dramatic 60-foot waterfall is located in Mount Washington State Forest. 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The final cascade is split into twin falls by a jutting rock, dropping in a 59-foot (18m) "V" over boulders to a serene pool below. Stopped by Bash Bish Bicycle after a hike at the falls. What great friendly man with an infectious smile and awesome aura about him. The group would be six adults and six children. We will use this information to improve this page. Please adhere to the appropriate regulations set forth by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Improve this listing All photos (240) Obtain Permit (No Cost) from the Park Office to be displayed in vehicle dashboard while hunting. The falls are located in Southwestern Massachusetts in the Taconic Mountains of Berkshire County, which neighbors Mount Washington State Forest in Massachusetts and Taconic State Park in New York. It is a short .6 mile hike from the Massachusetts . Mt. People who break the rules will be asked to leave., An alert posted on the Taconic State Park Facebook site by the New York Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation says the Massachusetts DCR closed the staircase and access to the rocks at Bash Bish Falls for public safety and protection of the natural resource. It is a moderate hike, with an elevation gain of approximately 200-500 feet, depending on where you start your walk. The White Trail is your friend. We parked on the New York parking lot and used that trail to get to the falls. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Cha-ching! He was also the first tightrope walker to make it across Niagara Falls. The trail on the NY side is a beautiful walk on a well-maintained wide trail. About a mile there and back from the NY parking lot. This was a great waterfall. A parks official in Copake told The Edge that the lot at the trailhead to Bash Bish remains open. However, right when her canoe tipped over the edge, a halo of butterflies appeared. Nearby, Taconic State Park in New York state offers more visitor amenities, picnicking, and camping. We will stick with the lower trail. Both trails from Massachusetts and New York are well-marked and easy to follow. We did the 3/4 mile hike from the NY Side. You soon approach the border between NY and MA which is clearly marked. They bring food and leave all their trash behind. Anyone who hikes to Bash Bish Falls this summer with hopes of sitting on the rocks to feel the refreshing spray or maybe to stick a toe in the cool water will be disappointed. Despite repeated attempts over three days by phone and email to get answers to questions regarding the new policy and closure, the press secretary for the Massachusetts DCR did not provide any information by press deadline. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner on this one Im afraid I dont have any recommendations. There were reports of injuries, with one person taken to Fairview Hospital. From the New York parking lot, the walk is an easy, flatter 1.5-mile roundtrip stroll. The walk is less than a mile. Great trail along the stream.There are "No Swimming" signs posted. Taconic State Park is proud to host its 10th annual I Love My Park Day. Is parking on the Mass side going to be an issue if there are 10-15 cars? I hope things improve and not just here. The falls are beautiful, well worth this short little walk in to see them. The Great Blondin stated that because of the boulders in the chasm he found Bash Bish more frightening than Niagara. I saw your picture and it looks doable. Its address is: Just keep heading east on 344 and youll be there in a couple minutes. According to Bash Bish Falls State Park in Mt. We walked up to the falls from the NY side parking lot. Map produced by NYSOPRHP GIS Bureau, April 03, 2020. * Copake Iron Works Museum and Heritage Trail, http://www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com, Taconic State Park Trail Map (Middle Section), Taconic State Park Trail Map (North Section), Taconic State Park Trail Map (South Section), Harlem Valley Rail Trail Map & Brochure (pdf), View all events for Taconic State Park - Copake Falls Area. Just because its a waterfall doesnt automatically make it unsafe. COPAKE FALLSYou can still see it, but you cant touch it anymore. Dont listen to posts that say otherwise. First with my parents and now with my family. No trash cans. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation has implemented a parking area closure until further notice at Bash Bish Falls State Park on Falls Road, said DCR spokesperson Olivia K. Dorrance. Depending on where you could see the Falls enjoy the beauty from that level a halo of butterflies appeared the. 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