The Waterfall Guide

Status: Seasonal · as far as we can tell, checked

Bushkill Falls

100 ft · Pocono Mountains · Pennsylvania

Eight waterfalls on boardwalk trails in a private, ticketed Poconos park.

By The Waterfall Guide editorial team · Waterfall near Bushkill (Lehman Township) · run by Bushkill Falls

The Main Falls at Bushkill Falls in the Pocono Mountains, photographed in June 2020.
Bushkill Falls · Renata3, CC BY-SA 4.0
Bushkill Falls · Renata3, CC BY-SA 4.0
Bushkill Falls · Renata3, CC BY-SA 4.0

Right now

Right now as of Oct 28, 2026

  • Status Open for the 2026 season.
  • Permit Ticket required ($24 general admission).

Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open for the 2026 season. The last open day of 2026 is Wednesday, November 25; from November 1 the park runs 10am to 4pm, weather permitting, with last trail entry at 3pm. It is closed November 26 (Thanksgiving) and from December through March. What the status labels mean

Bushkill Falls is a private, ticketed park in Pike County in the Pocono Mountains, with eight waterfalls reached by boardwalks, stairs and bridges. General admission is $24 (as listed Oct 2026), parking is free, and the Main Falls drop almost 100 feet. In 2026 the last open day is November 25, and the park is closed December through March.

About Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls is a privately run attraction in the Pocono Mountains, not a state park. Bushkill Falls holds eight waterfalls linked by hiking trails and bridges, with about two and a half miles of trails, the park says.

The park bills itself as the 'Niagara of Pennsylvania'. That's its own marketing nickname, not a size comparison. Its 2026 guide says the Main Falls drop almost 100 feet. From the top of the Main Falls to the bottom of the Lower Gorge is 300 feet.

Charles E. Peters opened the falls to the public in 1904, Wikipedia says. The official site's footer reads '© Aramark 2026'. Wikipedia says Aramark ran the park for the C.E. Peters estate from 1995 and bought it in 2023.

We could not confirm the purchase with an official release, and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau still describes family ownership.

The eight waterfalls

Wikipedia names Bushkill (the Main Falls), Bridal Veil, Bridesmaid, Laurel Glen and Pennell Falls among the eight. The park's trail descriptions also mention the Lower Gorge Falls.

The park's guide says the Little Bushkill Creek flows through all but three of the eight falls. The other stream is Pond Run.

Getting there and parking

Bushkill Falls is at 138 Bushkill Falls Rd, Bushkill, PA, off Route 209. Parking is free, and general admission is $24 as listed in October 2026.

Address and directions

The address is 138 Bushkill Falls Rd, Bushkill, PA 18324, in Lehman Township. The park's own guide gives it as 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, and the closest intersection is Bushkill Falls Road and Route 209.

From the east or west, the park's guide says to take I-80 to Exit 309 for Marshalls Creek and Route 209 North. Follow Route 209 North, then turn left onto Bushkill Falls Road at the traffic light in Bushkill.

From the north, take Route 84 to Route 209 South and turn right onto Bushkill Falls Road. Or take Route 84 to Route 402 South and turn left onto Bushkill Falls Road.

The park's phone numbers are 888-287-4545 and, per its guide, (570) 588-6682. Cell service is very limited on the grounds and trails, and public Wi-Fi is available near the main buildings. Save your directions and tickets before you arrive.

Tickets and parking

Parking is free in several lots, and there is a camper lot. Overnight parking is not permitted, and bus parking is by reservation only.

General admission is $24, as listed in October 2026. Seniors (62+) and active military pay $22, children 4-10 pay $12, and kids 3 and under get in free. Residents with a 183xx zip code pay $10 on weekdays only.

Ticket windows are cashless and take cards only. Military and local tickets are sold only on site, with ID. The park is open rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable.

Map and nearby falls

Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap

OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map

The four color-coded trails

The park has four color-coded trails on boardwalks, stairs and bridges. You enter the trails through the Wildlife Exhibit and exit near the visitor center, and re-entry is not permitted.

Green Trail: about 15 minutes to the Main Falls. It has steps but no climbing, the park says. The Green Trail is the quickest way to see the main drop.

Yellow Trail: about 45 minutes. It adds the Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen and the Upper Canyon.

Blue Trail: about 1 hour 15 minutes, adding a view of Pennell Falls.

Red Trail: over 2 hours past all eight falls, including Bridal Veil Falls. The website says almost 2 miles, and the park's guide says over two miles.

The park says its trails are not handicapped accessible or stroller friendly. Expect rocks, tree roots and many steps and stairs. A stroller check area is near the entrance.

Guests under 16 must be with an adult to enter the trails. There are no restrooms on the trails. Bags are screened before you enter, and food and coolers are allowed only in the picnic grounds.

When to visit

Bushkill Falls is open through Wednesday, November 25, 2026, then closed on Thanksgiving and from December through March.

Hours and season

In 2026 the park opened March 28. Peak summer days ran 9am to 7pm, and other in-season days 9am to 5pm or 6pm, with last trail entry an hour or two before closing.

From October 26 to 31, 2026, hours are 9am to 5pm, with last trail entry at 4pm. From November 1 to 25, the park is open 10am to 4pm, weather permitting, with last entry at 3pm.

The last open day of 2026 is Wednesday, November 25. The park is closed on Thanksgiving and through the end of November, then for winter from December through March. Shops and food service close an hour before the park.

We found no official best month for flow or crowds. If you're heading into New York, Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills is another option.

In nearby Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Raymondskill Falls is open as of Oct 2026. Dingmans Falls has been closed since May 2025 for bridge and trail work.

All visitor facts
Height100 ftNote: Main Falls 'almost 100 feet', and 300 ft from the top of the Main Falls to the bottom of the Lower Gorge (official 2026 A-to-Z guide). The park has 8 falls in all
TrailFour color-coded trails on boardwalks, stairs and bridges, about 2.5 mi of trails in all (official site and A-to-Z guide). Green about 15 min to the Main Falls; Yellow about 45 min; Blue about 1 hr 15 min. Red about 2 mi past all eight falls, over 2 hours
DifficultyEasy on the Green Trail; moderate to strenuous with many stairs on the Red Trail
Time neededGreen about 15 min; Yellow about 45 min; Blue about 1 hr 15 min; Red over 2 hr
Entry fee$24 general admission; seniors (62+) and active military $22; children 4-10 $12; 3 and under free; '183 Locals' $10 on weekdays (official admission page, as listed Oct 2026)
Permit / reservationNo permit; paid admission at a private park (cashless)
ParkingFree lots; no overnight parking
Hours / season2026: Oct 26-31, 9am-5pm (last trail entry 4pm); Nov 1-25, 10am-4pm, weather permitting (last entry 3pm). Closed Nov 26 through March (official 2026 calendar)
DogsAllowed on a leash, never left unattended; dogs may not run free or enter the water (official site and A-to-Z guide)
SwimmingStrictly prohibited for people and pets. The park calls it a no-tolerance policy, and violators are escorted out without a refund (A-to-Z guide).
Wheelchair / strollerNo. The park says its trails are not handicapped accessible or stroller friendly, with rocks, roots and many stairs; a stroller check is near the entrance (A-to-Z guide)
Walk behind the fallsNo
RestroomsYes, in the corner of the main parking lot opposite the Wildlife Exhibit; none on the trails (A-to-Z guide)
Managed byBushkill Falls (private attraction)

Safety and swimming

Swimming and wading are strictly prohibited at Bushkill Falls, for people and pets. The park calls it a no-tolerance policy, and guests who break it are escorted out without a refund. Stay on the designated trails.

The longer trails add more time on stairs. Take your time, wear shoes with good grip, and expect wet steps near the falls.

Keep dogs leashed. The park escorts out guests whose dogs run free or enter the water. Drones are prohibited on, from or above the property.

Keep children close on stairs and bridges. Because cell service is limited, agree on a meeting point in case your group splits up. Our waterfall safety guide has more tips.

Where to stay near Bushkill Falls

Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Bushkill (Lehman Township).

See places to stay nearby

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.

Photos

Bushkill Falls FAQ

How much are Bushkill Falls tickets?

General admission is $24 as listed in October 2026, seniors (62+) and active military $22, children 4-10 $12, and kids 3 and under free. Parking is free, and ticket windows are card-only. The park's March 2026 guide listed $22, so confirm before you go.

What are Bushkill Falls hours?

From October 26 to 31, 2026, the park is open 9am to 5pm (last trail entry 4pm). From November 1 to 25, it's open 10am to 4pm, weather permitting (last entry 3pm). November 25 is the last open day of 2026, and it's closed December through March.

How long does it take to hike Bushkill Falls?

About 15 minutes on the Green Trail to the Main Falls, about 45 minutes on the Yellow Trail and about 1 hour 15 minutes on the Blue Trail. The Red Trail passes all eight falls and takes over 2 hours. The park has about 2.5 miles of trails in all.

Where is Bushkill Falls?

At 138 Bushkill Falls Rd, Bushkill, PA 18324, in the Poconos. From I-80, take Exit 309 and follow Route 209 North, then turn left onto Bushkill Falls Road at the traffic light in Bushkill.

Can you swim at Bushkill Falls?

No. Swimming and wading are strictly prohibited for people and pets. The park calls it a no-tolerance policy, and violators are escorted out without a refund.

Why is Bushkill Falls called the Niagara of Pennsylvania?

It's the park's own marketing nickname for its eight-waterfall gorge. It isn't a size comparison: the park says the Main Falls drop almost 100 feet.

Are dogs allowed at Bushkill Falls?

Yes, on a leash, and they can't be left unattended. Dogs may not run free or enter the water, and owners must clean up after them.

Is Bushkill Falls a state park?

No. It's a private, ticketed attraction that has been open to the public since 1904. Pennsylvania state parks, such as Ricketts Glen, charge no entrance fee.

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Sources

Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Bushkill Falls (private attraction) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

Photos: Renata3, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo credits