Falls Rd. A New York State hunting license is required. If you find this free trail guide useful, please provide payment by picking up at least one piece of litter on your hike. If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. I would not have noticed the overlook if you hadnt mentioned it. Gorgeous view of the waterfall at the end. To plan your hike refer to All Activities - Hiking below. MA. The group would be six adults and six children. Enjoy a hike to experience the wonder and beauty of this deep, verdant gorge. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Hordes of people breaking every single rule. Will Starbucks in downtown Saratoga Springs be reopening? Is the NY trail relatively flat and WheelChair friendly? One visitor writing on Facebook and describing the scene as Hordes of people breaking every single rule, said he saw picnic tables, loud music, alcohol and marijuana. Too muddy around this time since we didn't have much snow and we just had rain. The stone stairs down to the falls are barricade as well with park rangers stationed there, so you cant swim but you can put your feet in close to the beginning of the NYS trail head. Entering the water is prohibited. Jocelyn thank you so much for the updated info! 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. According to Bash Bish Falls State Park in Mt. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Be smart, and stay safe. Ive seen recent pictures and updates that the MA trailhead is open again, and that the barricades have been removed. Dorrance also advised those who are ill, over 70 or are part of a vulnerable population to stay home. 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. You soon approach the border between NY and MA which is clearly marked. 3. This unique waterfall is split at the top by an enormous boulder . Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. No drones. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Moderate to difficult ability. There are 5 miles of snowmobile trails in Taconic State Park. Recommended. He plowed in front of me and laid some dirt or salt or something down and I was able to get out of there. I visited on 18 Oct 2014 and went from the MA side. Bash Bish Falls is located in Bash Bish Falls State Park. A swim test is required for children 12 and under to swim in the Copake Ore Pit. The closure is part of an effort to manage park capacity but the park itself remains open to visitors. They change diapers and just throw them in the stream. The fun doesn't end in wintertime. No access to the upper gorge from the Massachusetts parking lot it is dangerous. Parked at the lot and it was a fairly easy 3/4 mile hike to the falls. Very cool place that I wouldnt have known existed without this website. There are great trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as5 miles of snowmobile trails. Less than ten minutes into the hike, you come to a junction with the White Trail heading downhill to your left. Useful 2. It is much easier walk (about 3/4 mile) along the stream to the falls. They take over every square inch and spend the day. Thank goodness the rangers and police are taking control. I usually climb Camel Back Mountain in Arizona, but wanted to do something different. Most of the time I swim in the lower pool, below the main pool, the water is always cold and invigorating. Bash Bish Falls is a great short hiking trail to the highest waterfall in the state of Massachusetts. It has also been a dry summer, so officials have been especially worried about fires. The day use price is $50 and can accommodate up to 60 people. Washington, MA, they are more easily accessed from Copake Falls, NY. After a 30-minute drive in light snowy weather, I got to see this spectacular frozen waterfall. You feel nestled in a cozy rock out cove and its quite beautiful there. 2. eventually this may lead to shutting down the grounds for us all,depending on the action of the state. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. Boom. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Hi! After another difficult hike, I took off to go to NY but turned the wrong way and was actually heading back to Great Barrington. Beautiful falls, never been there before. 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. If you have doubts as to whether the trail is closed due to insufficient upkeep or whether there were too many slips and falls, just take a look at the . You actually cross the MA/NY border on your hike to the main falls. . Hiking is risky, life is risky, accidents happen, awareness reduces the risk. Respect the dangers without taking risks. Bash Bish Falls State Park is home to the Massachusett's highest, single-drop waterfall. The closure comes after the overwhelming influx of thousands of sometimes unruly visitors last year, many of whom ignored all the rules and trashed the place. Falls Rd. There is a good trail map near the parking lot to show you where you are headed. Bash Bish Falls is a great short hiking trail to the highest waterfall in the state of Massachusetts. This is part of a much larger park system, Taconic State Park. UPDATE: June 2021 the Massachusetts parking lot is closed so you have to use the NYS lot. Longer and gradual, but rocky and uneven. New! It is a very pretty hike with all the fall foliage around you. The dramatic final pitch of Bash Bish Brook drops about 80 feet into an emerald plunge pool. If you plan to meet someone at Bash Bish Falls, you'd do well to choose which state you're going to meet in. From Copake Falls, follow Route 344 into the hollow, passing the Iron Works Museum on the right, and then pull into the large parking area, also on the right. Easyish incline for about 3/4 mile to the pretty falls viewing area. You used to be able to take the stairs down to the base of the falls and enjoy the beauty from that level. Are they permitted on the grounds on leash of course. More on that later. Perfect conditionsa few inches of snow cover, no other hikers, lots of critter footprints. Kaaterskill is also dangerous I agree. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival changes Sat. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Great trail along the stream.There are "No Swimming" signs posted. 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. Both trails to the falls are not wheelchair accessible. Last year was the nail in the coffin, ruined it for everybody, thank you very much outsiders. We must preserve our beautiful earth. Swimming is not allowed in the pool. With a fully-equipped canvas wall tent all set up and ready for you, it really is a better way to camp. Refer toAll Activities - Hikingbelow to park at the appropriate location for your hike. Slight incline, not bad at all. Both trails go to the same beautiful destination, so enjoy the stroll from the NY side and save up your energy for chasing your 1-year-old around when you get home . Lately Ive visited on weekends and was absolutely appalled by the garbage strewn across the parking lots and grounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Advanced features of this website require that you enable JavaScript in your browser. I suppose that would depend on how able the person in question is. Man, was it this steep on the way down? Over the weekend, Massachusetts State Police patrolled the park. Parking is free at the parking lot on Falls Road in Mount Washington, MA, limited to 24 cars. This is a short hike in and out area. Read our Terms of Use. Typically only on weekends though. Browse 70+ bash bish falls state park stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Earlier reviews mentioned stairs to the falls being closed and guarded. Along the way, there are several beautiful photo opportunities along the stream. Use caution as the stones down around the falls are smooth and slick from years of traffic and it is easy to slip. Ive added a SUPER IMPORTANT FIVE-ALARM ATOMIC-WEDGIE UPDATE to the top of the Background section above, with a link down to your comment. Columbia County Sheriffs Office Lieutenant Louis Bray, who was public information officer at the time, said in the story, the overcrowding had a ripple effect. It led to traffic congestion and complaints of trespassing, loitering, public urination and blocked driveways. One thing I am sure about is the Town of Mount Washington, Massachusetts takes care of it's visitors by having a great man out on the roads taking care of fools like me who get in trouble. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 41 min to complete. This was a nice place to visit and its winter beauty was at its best. There were many people at the base of the falls sitting on chosen rock areas enjoying a snack, fishing, napping. We pulled in to the Massachusetts Bash Bish Falls parking lot & started down to the falls. There are 45 tent sites, 25 tent platforms,36 trailer sites and three cabin areas for a total of 106 campsites and 18 cabins. We will stick with the lower trail. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Each one has been catalogued by the Friends of Taconic State Park's Historic Preservation Committee. Beautiful short hike, the falls were beautiful. On-road parking along Falls Road or Route 344 is not permitted at any time. An adult must accompany children 10 and under. (WWLP)- The Falls Road parking lot at the popular hiking spot Bash Bish Falls will be closing for reconstruction. Was this trail guide useful to you? 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Bash Bish Falls (sometimes written out as a single word like Bashbish Falls) was one of the prettier waterfalls that we've encountered in the New England area. MOUNT WASHINGTON, Mass. 247 State Route 344. Anyway, I would love to see this waterfall again say in the autumn. Id have to disagree. [11], In addition to the falls themselves, other recreation attractions in the immediate area include Taconic State Park (camping, cabin rentals, fishing, swimming, hiking, cross country skiing, and hunting),[12] a network of hiking trails including the South Taconic Trail (day hiking and overnight hiking),[13] and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail (walking, bicycling).[14]. Dogs Allowed. I was feeling a little less than hardcore (I worked the night before) so, I took the easy way from the New York parking lot, which is a pleasant walk through the woods right along the creek. That way, morons like me who didnt read the map at the kiosk wont get lost.). We were only at Bash Bish falls. Remembersafety first. No youth hunts. Visit the expanded Copake Iron Works Museum (33 Valley View Road, Copake Falls, NY) in Taconic State Park, with tours on Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Saturdays and Sundays, May 28 through September 4, 2-4 PM, and on Monday, September 5, from 2-4 PM. Please leave a comment! All boundaries and trails are shown as approximate. Admission is free. This page is not available in other languages. Easy walk. Fees vary by location and season. From the New York parking lot, the walk is an easy, flatter 1.5-mile roundtrip stroll. The trail on the NY side is a beautiful walk on a well-maintained wide trail. Please be aware that Taconic State Park property encompasses land in both Columbia and Dutchess Counties. 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. Obtain Permit (No Cost) from the Park Office to be displayed in vehicle dashboard while hunting. Legend says that she was accused of adultery, and for her punishment, she was to be sent over the falls tied to a canoe. Dress in layers to be able to regulate your comfort level. Take the hassle out of camping and spend more time enjoying the outdoors. 7. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals). On display are a series of iron artifacts, ranging from plow parts to chisels and unknown objects. [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. How easy of a hike is it? ), 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.). Either way, youll be glad you paid Bash Bish Falls a visit. Thanks for this write up. From the New York parking lot, the walk is an easy, flatter 1.5-mile roundtrip stroll. We walked up to the falls from the NY side parking lot. If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. Someone on the trail told us that the New York trail to the falls was 3/4 mile each way but it was a much easier hike so we hiked back to our car & went just down the road to the NY parking lot. Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Shorter, more rugged, and strenuous. . We both enjoyed the hike from that spot, so its the one Im recommending here, plus it has an extra little view that the New York lot doesnt have. We did the 3/4 mile hike from the NY Side. Massachusetts bathrooms were definitely cleaner than the New York side. You can only walk to the view at top of the trail above the falls now, as noted by many others, some of those rudely from a. Classist POV or simply containing an opinion not based on fact. Horrendous! Mt. The current message on the phone for the Mount Washington State Forest, of which Bash Bish Falls State Park is a part, says, Bash Bish Falls has a new policy this year where no one is allowed down on the stairs [to the falls] or on the waters edge.. But the fact is that he did Bash Bish first, said Blue. From the lower car park there is an uphill path to follow that is quite rough in places. The falls are made up of a series of cascades, nearly 200 feet (61m) in total. You can choose to start from the New York side and cross the state line into Massachusetts or start at either of the two Massachusetts trailheads. People need to be more thoughtful. Copake Iron Works Museum - established in 1845, iron remained active until 1903. To contact Diane Valden email document.getElementById("wpmt-671600-62565").innerHTML = eval(decodeURIComponent("%27%64%76%61%6c%64%65%6e%40%63%6f%6c%75%6d%62%69%61%70%61%70%65%72%2e%63%6f%6d%27"))*protected email*, Rasmussen returns to New Lebanon Town Board, Hearing helps pick what rises when Bliss falls, www.mass.gov/locations/bash-bish-falls-state-park. Is parking on the Mass side going to be an issue if there are 10-15 cars? Alander Mountain Trail via South Taconic Trail, Guilder Pond and Mount Washington Lookout Trail, Appalachian Trail: Jug End Road to Mount Bushnell, Appalachian Trail from Jug End to Bear Mountain, Alander Mountain via Robert Brook and South Taconic Trail, Mount Everett, Bear Mountain, and Alander Loop, Brace and Alander Mountain via Robert Brook and South Taconic Trail, Mount Frissell via Robert Brook and South Taconic Trail. Deer and Bear archery season (early bow): 10/1 to 11/20. See the Bear Mountain State Park homepage for details. Jeff Lashoones Alcohol, coolers, and glass containers are prohibited. Now because of his death people are claiming Bash Bish is unsafe. But thats just a guess.) A parks official in Copake told The Edge that the lot at the trailhead to Bash Bish remains open. It is not paved but flat with just a few places that are a little rough. We visit many waterfalls and I would definitely recommend this one. The basin water was unfrozen and beautifully clear. Phone. Waterfall was beautiful! Very easy to find your way! It is steep and the snow and ice was too risky for us older (60) folks. Patrick Miller September 26, 2022 Hiking Beautiful. There they are, tumbling past that big rhinoceros rock and falling 60 feet into the crystal pool below. Hope you had a great visit. Mount Washington Visitors to Bash Bish Falls, a popular state park that has seen large unruly crowds in the last several weeks, will have to find some other place to park if they want to access the falls from the Massachusetts side. Editors note: This article now includes an email later received from Christopher D. Rickard, a manager of the Taconic State Park in Copake Falls, concerning parking on the New York side of Bash Bish Falls. 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. Recommended. All Deer seasons; Spring and Fall Turkey seasons, bow until noon only. Contact information here: http://nysparks.com/parks/83/details.aspx. You can find more details in this Berkshire Eagle article:State blocks swimming access at Bash Bish Falls in Mt Washington. Closed. Parking is also available at Taconic State Park, off NY Route 344 in Copake Falls, NY. These are the two main access points for viewing Bash Bish Falls. Don't miss these popular destinations and attractions within or near the park: Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in campsites and day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. 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. Bash Bish can be rather unsafe, like many waterfalls there is significant risk, even in the non-restricted sections. 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