Status: Open · as far as we can tell, checked Oct 28, 2026

Bash Bish Falls

60 ft · Bash Bish Falls SP, Mount Washington · Massachusetts

Massachusetts' largest waterfall, split into twin streams, with two trails in.

By The Waterfall Guide editorial team · Waterfall near Mount Washington · run by Massachusetts DCR

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Bash Bish Falls splitting around a rock into twin streams above a pool — Bash Bish Falls · Tom Walsh, CC BY-SA 3.0

Bash Bish Falls · Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0

Bash Bish Falls · Pablo Sanchez from Sunnyvale, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0

Right now

Right now as of Oct 28, 2026

Permit None needed.

Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open sunrise to sunset (DCR). DCR's spring 2026 Monday-to-Thursday closures were listed as ending July 2, 2026 (per DCR advisories in search results). The Town of Mount Washington has posted that DCR and State Police restrict access on summer weekends, 9am to 7pm. What the status labels mean

Bash Bish Falls is the Commonwealth's largest waterfall, according to Massachusetts DCR. Its final drop of about 60 feet splits around a rock into an emerald plunge pool in Mount Washington. A free 24-car lot on Falls Road leads to a steep trail of about 0.6 mile round trip. A longer, gentler trail starts in New York's Taconic State Park.

About Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Brook cuts a gorge between Bash Bish Mountain (1,890 ft) and Cedar Mountain (1,883 ft), according to Wikipedia. DCR says its final pitch drops about 60 feet into an emerald plunge pool. A jutting rock divides that drop into twin falls, and the cascades upstream add up to nearly 200 feet.

DCR calls Bash Bish the Commonwealth's largest waterfall. The falls sit just inside Massachusetts, close to the New York line. The state park connects with Taconic State Park in New York, where the second trail begins. You may also see the name written "Bish Bash Falls".

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages the falls and the Massachusetts trail. New York State Parks runs Taconic State Park's Copake Falls Area. The falls are sacred to the Mohican and Schaghticoke peoples, per DCR.

Getting there and parking

Parking is limited, and roadside parking is banned. DCR says on-road parking along Falls Road or Route 344 is not permitted at any time. If both lots are full, come back later rather than parking on the shoulder.

Massachusetts lot (Falls Road)

The free lot on Falls Road in Mount Washington is the closest start. DCR limits it to 24 cars. From here the trail to the falls is short but steep.

There is no access to the upper gorge from the Massachusetts lot. DCR calls that area dangerous.

New York lot (Taconic State Park)

DCR says parking is also available at Taconic State Park, off NY Route 344 in Copake Falls, NY. NY State Parks' Taconic master plan calls for improving parking at the Bash Bish trailhead and encourages hikers to use the Copake Falls day-use lot instead.

NY State Parks lists an $8 passenger-car fee for Copake Falls Area day use. We could not confirm whether it applies at the Bash Bish lot.

Camping at Taconic State Park

There is no camping at the falls. Taconic State Park's Copake Falls Area in New York has campsites and 3 cabin areas, and its 2026 season opened May 8, according to NY State Parks. Reservations go through Reserve America at 1-800-456-CAMP.

Map and nearby falls

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Two trails to the falls

Two trails reach Bash Bish Falls, according to DCR. The Massachusetts route is about 0.6 mile round trip and rated difficult, while the New York route is about 1.5 miles round trip and rated moderate.

From the Massachusetts lot

DCR rates this route difficult, at about 0.6 mile round trip. DCR calls it shorter, more rugged and strenuous, so save energy for the walk back to your car.

From the New York lot

The trail from Taconic State Park approaches the falls from below. DCR rates it moderate, at about 1.5 miles round trip. DCR describes it as "longer and gradual, but rocky and uneven".

South Taconic Trail

For a long day, the South Taconic Trail runs 12.4 miles along the ridge, according to DCR. DCR rates it moderate to difficult.

Neither trail to the falls is wheelchair accessible, according to DCR. DCR lists seasonal portable toilets. There are no trash cans, so carry out everything you bring.

When to visit

Bash Bish Falls State Park is open sunrise to sunset, according to DCR. We found no DCR guidance on a best season. The steep Massachusetts trail can be icy in winter, so check conditions with DCR at (413) 528-0330 first.

Summer weekend restrictions

Summer weekends can be limited. The Town of Mount Washington has posted a notice about summer weekends. It says DCR and State Police restrict access to the park and its lot from 9am to 7pm, until further notice.

The town notice is undated, and DCR's park page does not mention it. Check with DCR at (413) 528-0330 before a summer weekend trip.

Is Bash Bish Falls open?

Yes, as far as current notices show. DCR advisories listed in search results closed the Massachusetts trail and lot Monday to Thursday, 7am to 5pm, for parts of spring 2026, ending July 2, 2026. We could not open DCR's advisory pages to confirm the details.

We found no closures after July 2026. Check DCR's recreational advisories before you go.

More falls nearby

To pair this with another falls, Kent Falls is in Litchfield County, Connecticut. It is a 250-foot chain of cascades with a covered bridge and stone stairs.

Two more Massachusetts falls are on this site: Wahconah Falls in Dalton and Doane's Falls in Royalston.

All visitor facts
Height	60 ftNote: final drop about 60 ft into a plunge pool (DCR), or 59 ft per Wikipedia, split into twin falls by a rock; upstream cascades total nearly 200 ft
Trail	About 0.6 mi round trip from the Massachusetts lot on Falls Road, rated difficult: shorter, rugged and strenuous (DCR). The New York lot route is about 1.5 mi round trip, rated moderate (DCR)
Difficulty	Difficult from the MA lot; moderate from NY
Entry fee	Free Massachusetts lot on Falls Road, limited to 24 cars (DCR). Whether Taconic State Park's day-use fee applies at the New York lot is unconfirmed.
Permit / reservation	None needed
Parking	Free 24-car MA lot on Falls Road or the NY lot at Taconic State Park; no roadside parking
Hours / season	Sunrise to sunset (DCR)
Dogs	Allowed on a leash at all times (DCR)
Swimming	Prohibited. DCR bans entering the water, swimming and diving.
Wheelchair / stroller	No; DCR says neither trail to the falls is wheelchair accessible
Walk behind the falls	No
Restrooms	Seasonal portable toilets (DCR)
Managed by	Massachusetts DCR, Bash Bish Falls State Park

Safety and swimming

DCR's rules are strict. Direct access to the falls is prohibited, and you must stay within the dedicated viewing area. Entering the water is prohibited, with no swimming or diving.

DCR also bans the following at the falls:

Rock climbing
Picnicking, grilling or fires
Alcohol and glass containers
Coolers
Drones

Dogs must be on a leash at all times. There are no trash cans, so carry in, carry out. There is no access to the upper gorge from the Massachusetts lot, which DCR calls dangerous.

Deaths at Bash Bish Falls

More than 25 people have died here in the past century, according to Wikipedia, which says most of the deaths involved rock climbing, rock jumping and falls.

The deaths at Bash Bish Falls are why DCR keeps visitors in the viewing area and out of the water. Never jump from the rocks, and keep children back from the edge.

For general tips, see our waterfall safety page.

Where to stay near Bash Bish Falls

Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Mount Washington.

See places to stay nearby

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Photos

Bash Bish Falls seen from the upper overlook in Mount Washington, Massachusetts — Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0

Bash Bish Falls in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts — Photo: Pablo Sanchez from Sunnyvale, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0

Bash Bish Falls FAQ

Can you swim at Bash Bish Falls?

No. Massachusetts DCR prohibits swimming, diving and even entering the water, and visitors must stay in the viewing area. More than 25 people have died at the falls in the past century, according to Wikipedia.

Is Bash Bish Falls open?

Yes, as far as current notices show. It is open sunrise to sunset, and DCR's spring 2026 Monday-to-Thursday closures were listed as ending July 2, 2026. The town has posted that DCR and State Police restrict access on summer weekends, 9am to 7pm.

Which parking lot is better for Bash Bish Falls?

The free Massachusetts lot on Falls Road is closest but holds only 24 cars, and its trail is steep. The New York lot at Taconic State Park, off Route 344, has a longer, gentler trail. Roadside parking is banned on both sides.

How long is the hike to Bash Bish Falls?

From the Massachusetts lot it's about 0.6 mile round trip, which DCR rates difficult. From the New York lot, DCR gives about 1.5 miles round trip, rated moderate.

Is Bash Bish Falls free?

The Massachusetts lot is free. The New York side is in Taconic State Park, where NY State Parks lists an $8 car fee for the Copake Falls Area. It is unclear whether that fee applies at the Bash Bish lot, so check before you go.

Are dogs allowed at Bash Bish Falls?

Yes. DCR requires dogs on a leash at all times. There are no trash cans, so carry out their waste.

Why is it called Bash Bish Falls?

We found no official explanation of the name. The stories you'll see online are legends, not documented history. The falls are sacred to the Mohican and Schaghticoke peoples, per DCR.

How tall is Bash Bish Falls?

The final drop is about 60 feet into a plunge pool, according to DCR, split into twin falls by a rock. With the cascades above it, the brook drops nearly 200 feet. DCR calls it the Commonwealth's largest waterfall.

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Sources

Some facts credited to the Massachusetts DCR come from search-result excerpts of its official pages. Confirm fees and rules on the official site.

Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Massachusetts DCR, Bash Bish Falls State Park before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

Photos: Tom Walsh, CC BY-SA 3.0; Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0; Pablo Sanchez from Sunnyvale, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0. Photo credits