With the snow and ice, the walk down to the falls from the MA side was just to treacherous to walk for us. Great directions! A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. Jeff Lashoones There's a short 2-mile hike to the falls, and the scenery along the way is equally beautiful. Enchanted seems like a better adjective, and it wouldn't be surprising to see fairies or nymphs lounging on the mossy rocks jutting out below it. UPDATE: June 2021 the Massachusetts parking lot is closed so you have to use the NYS lot. You can find more details in this Berkshire Eagle article:State blocks swimming access at Bash Bish Falls in Mt Washington. Out is up hill and back down hill. (An easier hike can also be done from the NY trailhead.). This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. With your back to the trail you just came down (youre now facing the road), turn left and go to the far end of the parking lot to begin your descent to the falls. The "Ironworkers" cabins are equipped with private showers and flush toilets;campers in the "Bash Bish" cabins utilize a centrally located shower facility with flush toilets. According to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the access point is closed from Memorial Day to Columbus Day every year since July 2020. (And heres a quick primer on Leave No Trace, too, to help us keep the trails nice and fresh for each other.). Nearby, Taconic State Park in New York state offers more visitor amenities, picnicking, and camping. Turn right onto NY 344 (one of several roads also marked as Old Rt. Jeff was coming from Massachusetts, I was coming from New York, and we were going to meet at Bash Bish Falls on the state line before tackling nearby Mt. [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. Planning on doing this hike next week, concerned about hunters. 9. Photo by David Lee Obtain Permit (No Cost) from the Park Office to be displayed in vehicle dashboard while hunting. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pretty amazing to see a mostly completely frozen over waterfall. Perfect instructions as usual. The extensive campground at Copake Falls has sites to accommodate campers seeking a more rustic experience, as well as those seeking a more "home like" experience. Bash Bish Falls is a great short hiking trail to the highest waterfall in the state of Massachusetts. Now because of his death people are claiming Bash Bish is unsafe. I imagine this is because people were breaking the the rules that this became a safety issue. So glad we went! I find it very depressing to witness these sacred falls being treated like a state funded playground, please have respect for this land. They were bringing everything but the kitchen sink to the falls, Mr. Rickard said in the story. The park is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Did not see any attempt to enforce the rule. NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS. Please visit the Tentrr website for additional information about camping in Taconic State Park with Tentrr, or to check availability and make reservations. Was this trail guide useful to you? Bash Bish Falls is a natural area with inherent dangers. No reptiles. So sad to hear about the trash. Deer and Bear archery season (early bow): 10/1 to 11/20. Thanks, Im by no means an expert on hunting rules and seasons, but this article give some good advice and links for being safe out there: http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2013/09/24/hiking-hunting-season-safety-tips/2854437/. Restrooms. 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. Just head uphill for a couple of minutes and youll get to the end of the trail, corralled on all sides by the guide wires. Thank goodness the rangers and police are taking control. Very crowded trail unfortunately but gorgeous none the less. There are a few access points to the falls and more than one parking lot. * 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. Please PLEASE if you go here obey ALL SIGNS. Dorrance also advised those who are ill, over 70 or are part of a vulnerable population to stay home. Speaking of wellness: I got some great exercise hiking and saw an amazing waterfall yesterday after my visit to Great Barrington. If you find this free trail guide useful, please provide payment by picking up at least one piece of litter on your hike. Please advise regarding this matter. View From the summit atop Bash Bish Falls on the Mount Washington side. There is a good trail map near the parking lot to show you where you are headed. If you wanted to play it safe and give your three-year-old more of a chance to roam, the New York trailhead would probably be a better bet. This unique waterfall is split at the top by an enormous boulder . Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Albany, Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Kingston, Central Troy Historic District Walking Food Tour, Hartford Scavenger Hunt: The Riches Of Hartford, Hike/Wineries/Walkway Over the Hudson/1 night Hotel/Hudson Valley, LEGOLAND New York Resort Admission Ticket, Guided Shared Group Forest Bathing Session in Serene Woodland Park, Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Hartford by Operation City Quest, Museum of the City of New York General Admission Ticket, Copake Iron Works Historic Site at Taconic State Park. No access to the upper gorge from the Massachusetts parking lot it is dangerous. Its a fond childhood memory for me.. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}42647N 732943W / 42.11306N 73.49528W / 42.11306; -73.49528, Bash Bish Falls, a waterfall in Bash Bish Falls State Park in the Taconic Mountains of southwestern Massachusetts (Berkshire County), is the highest waterfall in the state. Oh shxt, I'm stuck spinning wheels. There are plenty of activities for campers, as well as day visitors to enjoy in the oldest State Park in the Taconic Region. Use caution as the stones down around the falls are smooth and slick from years of traffic and it is easy to slip. No target practice. Bash Bish Falls In the very southwest corner of the state, near the New York state line, is Bash Bish Falls, the largest waterfall in Massachusetts. At the peak you will see the waterfalls and there are steps to descend to the bottom of the falls. We ask all visitors to only use designated trails and areas open to the public. This was a nice place to visit and its winter beauty was at its best. We came from NY and it was a short easy hike via Taconic State Park that has nice facilities compared to MA. If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. ), GPS coordinates of NY parking area: 42.11711, -73.50776 (Clicking will open in Google Maps or the Apple Maps app, depending on your browser/device.). The walk from the Massachusetts parking lot is much shorter and steeper, and its the one Ill write up below. It is steep and the snow and ice was too risky for us older (60) folks. No migratory birds. About a mile there and back from the NY parking lot. What attractions are near Bash Bish Falls? Bash Bish can be rather unsafe, like many waterfalls there is significant risk, even in the non-restricted sections. Youre now looking straight down Bash Bish Gorge. Dogs Allowed. Clean up after your pet and remove waste off site. Beautiful fall day. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 41 min to complete. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. I saw some people managed to dip in the stream, but the rangers will find you eventually and ask you to leave the water. 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. The group would be six adults and six children. People who hike the trail to Bash Bish can still see the falls from an observation area, but thats as far as they can go. We will stick with the lower trail. The basin water was unfrozen and beautifully clear. 2. Also I hiked from the NYS parking lot side and rangers were telling people to stay on the trails. Would like to take my dog on this hike. Washington, Massachusetts", "Hordes of people breaking every single rule pack Bash Bish Falls", "DCR closes Bash Bish Falls parking to manage crowds", "The beauty and sometimes danger of Bash Bish Falls, where man's body still lies", "Here Are The 7 Most Dangerous, Deadly Places In Massachusetts", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bash_Bish_Falls&oldid=1112247008, This page was last edited on 25 September 2022, at 11:12. Longer and gradual, but rocky and uneven. It started snowing heavily. I have a 3 year old and he often walks the shorter hikes or does a combo of walking and on my back. According to Copake Town Historian Howard Blue, Bash Bish Falls, although across the state line, is the towns biggest attraction. below to park at the appropriate location for your hike. 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