BASH BISH FALLS

About Bash Bish Falls

Tucked into the folds of the Taconic Mountains along the Massachusetts-New York border, Bash Bish Falls is one of the most dramatic natural spectacles in all of New England. As the highest waterfall in Massachusetts, it commands attention: the brook splits around a central boulder and plunges in twin curtains of white water, forming a perfect "V" before crashing into the deep, mist-shrouded pool below. The roar of the falls carries through the hemlock-lined gorge long before you see them, building anticipation with every step down the trail.

The Setting and Landscape

The gorge itself feels ancient and wild. Sheer rock walls rise around you, draped in ferns and mosses that stay brilliantly green even in summer's heat. Boulders the size of cars have tumbled into the streambed over centuries, creating a rugged, sculpted landscape that rewards slow exploration. In spring, snowmelt swells the brook to a thundering torrent — the falls are at their most powerful and photogenic between April and May. By summer, the canopy closes in overhead, filtering the sunlight into shifting, golden columns. Come autumn, the surrounding hardwoods ignite in red and orange, framing the cascade in color that seems almost unreally vivid. Even in winter, the falls take on an alien beauty, with ice formations building up along the rock faces.

Swimming at Bash Bish

The main plunge pool at the base of the falls draws a crowd, but swimming there is restricted — and for good reason. The currents are powerful and the rocks unpredictable. The real reward for swimmers lies upstream, where the brook opens into a series of clear, quieter pools above the main falls. Here, the water runs cool and clean over smooth stones, giving you the chance to wade in, float, and soak in the gorge atmosphere without the hazards of the main cascade. The water clarity is excellent, fed by the Taconic highlands, and even on warm summer days the brook stays refreshingly cold. There are no lifeguards or safety staff on the Massachusetts side, so swimming requires good judgment and personal responsibility.

Plan Your Visit

Two trails access the falls: a steeper half-mile route from the Massachusetts parking area, and a gentler 0.6-mile approach from the New York side through Taconic State Park in Copake Falls, NY. Facilities on the Massachusetts side are minimal — plan accordingly and pack out everything you bring in. Entry fees are unknown, so carry cash just in case. If you want to make a weekend of it, the New York side at Taconic State Park offers developed camping in Copake Falls, along with a separate day-use swimming area in a water-filled quarry complete with a roped-off zone and diving platform. On the Massachusetts side, primitive campsites along Ashley Brook — about a mile from Mount Washington State Forest headquarters — offer a more rugged overnight option, and serve as the launching point for an exceptional loop hike taking in Alander Mountain's summit views and the Bash Bish gorge. The nearest services and lodging are found in the surrounding communities of the Berkshires to the east and the Hudson Valley to the west — plan your supplies before you head down the mountain.