These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. The area down by the falls are prohibited now. If you need assistance, please Learn About DCR| Mass.gov. The steps down to approach the falls are quite steep and uneven so I wound not recommend for someone unsteady on their feet. I hadnt heard that info about Columbus Day thank you for sharing. One of my favorite places to visit plus its a easy hike. (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. Two developed areas, Copake Falls and Rudd Pond, offer an extensive trail system with terrain that varies from easy to challenging, offering spectacular views. Wish there was a better way to get closer to the river. Easy walk. He was also the first tightrope walker to make it across Niagara Falls. Would highly recommend. Dress in layers to be able to regulate your comfort level. Easy to slip but trail is wide enough on NY side. The fun doesn't end in wintertime. Rocks and roots, so watch out, but fun to follow river to the falls. Please visit the Tentrr website for additional information about camping in Taconic State Park with Tentrr, or to check availability and make reservations. No reptiles. No picnicking, grilling or fires. Taconic State Park is proud to host its 10th annual I Love My Park Day. Yes, it was. Directions to the trailhead: From Millerton, NY, head north on Route 22 for 12 miles. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. There are pics of a swimming beach at Rudd Pond. I suppose that would depend on how able the person in question is. Both trails to the falls are not wheelchair accessible. This is a lovely area but it is not a trash dump nor a place for doing whatever you want. Beautiful falls, never been there before. The hiking trails and parking lots are still open, you just cant get quite as close to the falls anymore. The basin water was unfrozen and beautifully clear. [10] This is a very dangerous area as rocks are slick, the gorge is deep, and pools are shallow. Improve this listing All photos (240) Planning on going back in June. 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. Ive been coming to the falls for over 50 years. 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. It started snowing heavily. [2], Bash Bish Falls State Park is located next to both Massachusetts' 4,000-acre (16km2) Mount Washington State Forest and New York's 5,000-acre (20km2) Taconic State Park. On that route you will pass a State Border sign (photo op). My thanks to the owner of the local Subway shop for recommending it. From the New York parking lot, the walk is an easy, flatter 1.5-mile roundtrip stroll. 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 was a half mile in & a half mile out but it was very steep. No need to talk about the beauty of the falls, its just gorgeous. We made a video in an attempt to convey how great this place is: Im thinking of take a group of people to do this hike on a Friday in October. A parks official in Copake told The Edge that the lot at the trailhead to Bash Bish remains open. Office hours vary - call ahead. Use this button to show and access all levels. The article seems to suggest we have a lot of parking in NY. In the southwestern corner of Massachusetts Bash Bish Falls drops 80 feet from its summit to a shallow pool and a creek. The message Mr. Rickard wants visitors to get is: stay on the trails, dont go in the stream, dont bring chairs or coolers. Are they permitted on the grounds on leash of course. There are 45 tent sites, 25 tent platforms,36 trailer sites and three cabin areas for a total of 106 campsites and 18 cabins. If youd prefer a shorter creekside amble, fire up the journey from the NY trailhead. 1. Most visitors to Bash Bish Park access the park not from the Mount Washington side but from Copake Falls, New York, where there is a much larger parking lot in the Taconic State Park. With a fully-equipped canvas wall tent all set up and ready for you, it really is a better way to camp. 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. Overall a nice walking trail. Directions: Bash Bish Falls State Park is accessible from Route 41 in the town of Egremont, Massachusetts. Park police from New York State and park rangers from Massachusetts joined in an effort to increase patrols, according to the story. Enjoy a hike to experience the wonder and beauty of this deep, verdant gorge. The falls are beautiful and well worth the walk. But thats just a guess.) I have a 3 year old and he often walks the shorter hikes or does a combo of walking and on my back. Bull's Bridge was reported as closed on July 9 (reconfirmed on October 5) The situation in 2021 was a disgrace. A minor bummer, but not a showstopper. This was not the case when we . You soon approach the border between NY and MA which is clearly marked. Read our Terms of Use. Ive just come up here for day hikes, never stayed over. Hop on that trail, which will cost you perhaps 10-minutes for the roundtrip if you severely dilly dally. It is a moderate hike, with an elevation gain of approximately 200-500 feet, depending on where you start your walk. Hope that helps! Turkey, archery and shotgun: Fall season: 10/17 to 11/1 Spring season: 5/1 to 5/31. We will stick with the lower trail. Respect the dangers without taking risks. There is no rope blocking the steps down to the falls, but there are signs up saying they are closed. This was a nice place to visit and its winter beauty was at its best. New York Trails South Taconic Trail - 21.3 . No alcohol, or glass containers. It is a very pretty hike with all the fall foliage around you. Get Directions. 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/. Unless you're an avid hiker, I would recommend you park on the lower lot and walk the 3/4 mile to the falls. I dont remember how wheelchair friendly the trail was, whether it was paved or rocky. Jump to: Jump to: Comments and Reviews. Very easy to find your way! Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals and wear a facial mask or covering in public, participate in only noncontact recreational activities, and practice healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing, for at least 20 seconds. There is a large pool at the base of the falls which on a warm summer day, has a lot of people in it. also, do you have to go down or up the stairs that I see in the pic to actually see the falls? Great trail along the stream.There are "No Swimming" signs posted. From the MA trail head, it should take about 10 minutes down and 20-30 back up, depending on your level of fitness. There are very clean(when we went) porta potties by the waterfall. Thanks for being awesome! Clean up after your pet and remove waste off site. Its a steady incline, not steep, but certainly a slight uphill all the way. Access to Bash Bish Falls, the highest waterfall in Massachusetts, where the Bash Bish Brook drops about 80 feet into an emerald plunge pool has been barricaded by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). ), 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.). Please carry-in, carry-out all trash and personal items. There are rules that help to keep it safe and pristine for all but particularly nature. Deer and Bear archery season (early bow): 10/1 to 11/20. A lock icon ( There are plenty of activities for campers, as well as day visitors to enjoy in the oldest State Park in the Taconic Region. Recommended. 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. If you find this free trail guide useful, please provide payment by picking up at least one piece of litter on your hike. I appreciate your help in identifying a place to stay at. Get directions. Planning on doing this hike next week, concerned about hunters. 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. Access is open all the way down to the falls. The charcoal blast furnace, blowing engine house, machine shop, office and powder storage building still remain and are open to the public during the spring, summer and fall . GPS coordinates of MA parking area: 42.115, -73.49157 (Clicking will open in Google Maps or the Apple Maps app, depending on your browser/device. No youth hunts. (And heres a quick primer on Leave No Trace, too, to help us keep the trails nice and fresh for each other.). Each I know of were because of human judgment or lack there of. No youth hunts. I saw some people managed to dip in the stream, but the rangers will find you eventually and ask you to leave the water. 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. On-road parking along Falls Road or Route 344 is not permitted at any time. Great directions! There are 5 miles of snowmobile trails in Taconic State Park. The walk is less than a mile. The haunting of Bash Bish Falls comes from the tale of a young Mohican woman named Bash Bish. Visiting Bash Bish Falls is no longer fun. 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. Is playing in the water allowed anywhere in the park? Sorry for not getting back to you sooner on this one Im afraid I dont have any recommendations. more. What great friendly man with an infectious smile and awesome aura about him. Share. 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. Bring hydration regardless of what time of year it is. Happy Bash Bishing, everyone! Picnicking: Year-round. Tentrr is now at Taconic State Park in the Copake Falls area. We visited Bash Bish Falls in May. Alcohol, coolers, and glass containers are prohibited. Please be aware that Taconic State Park property encompasses land in both Columbia and Dutchess Counties. The NY side is an easy walk to the falls with a wide path - no crazy hills or rocky scrambles, just scenic woodsy views. 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. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Massachusetts bathrooms were definitely cleaner than the New York side. This is a short hike in and out area. This is part of a much larger park system, Taconic State Park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hi Tracy! This is one of the most beautiful spots in the Berkshires. All cabins have electricity, lights, hot and cold running water,a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove, a dining area, a picnic table, and outdoor camp fire ring with grill. I followed the guide wires to the right and got to see that beautiful gorge! Thank you so much for this update, Marjorie! From the Massachusetts parking lot, head to the back-left corner of the lot, where youll see a small sign directing you uphill to a SCENIC VIEW. Please limit your input to 500 characters. [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]. Please leave a comment! Nov 2022. I didnt see any white blazes or a wooden bridge. Perhaps it would all depend on our definition of unsafe, as there are quite a few rocks and cliffs here to fall from, beyond the falls themselves. Nice trail. About a mile there and back from the NY parking lot. Another story is about a tightrope walker. Ive added a link to your comment in a new update at the top of this trail guide. 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. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. I am interested in coming up for a weekend with my family. Accessible portable toilets available at Massachusetts parking lot and at falls viewing deck. Some page levels are currently hidden. Trails and rocks may be slippery, wear sturdy shoes. I don't even know how to describe it. According to Bash Bish Falls State Park in Mt. How easy of a hike is it? 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.