Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Open sunrise to dusk. DCR's Wahconah Falls State Park page showed no alert when we read it on October 29, 2026, and we found no 2025 or 2026 closures in news coverage. What the status labels mean
Wahconah Falls is a 40-foot waterfall in Wahconah Falls State Park in Dalton, Massachusetts, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Parking is free at 68 Wahconah Falls Road, the park is open from sunrise to dusk, and a half-mile loop runs along the upper falls. DCR lists 'No swimming' and allows dogs. DCR's park page showed no alert on October 29, 2026.
About Wahconah Falls
Wahconah Falls Brook flows over several smaller falls before it reaches the 40-foot Wahconah Falls, DCR says. Wikipedia describes the falls as four drops over an outcrop of Becket Gneiss.
The state park covers 48 acres in Dalton, Berkshire County, according to Wikipedia. DCR describes a northern hardwood forest around the brook. Its listed facilities are picnic areas, and its listed activities are fishing, hiking and snowmobiling.
Wahconah Falls State Park is a small park built around one short walk. You won't find a long trail network on DCR's page, so plan to see the falls and walk the loop rather than spend a full day hiking.
Our Massachusetts waterfalls guide compares Wahconah with Bash Bish Falls in Mount Washington and Doane's Falls in Royalston, side by side.
Getting there and parking
Set your map to 68 Wahconah Falls Road, Dalton, MA 01226. DCR also publishes the lot's coordinates, 42°29'22.0"N 73°6'54.5"W, which you can paste into a map app if the address search goes astray.
Parking costs nothing. DCR says 'Free parking is available on-site,' and its page lists no permit, ticket or reservation. Berkshires Outside, which assessed the park for accessibility, describes a large paved lot but found no formal accessible parking spaces. We could not confirm whether there are restrooms.
If you have a question before you drive out, DCR lists the park phone as (413) 442-8992.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
DCR describes the trail as 'a half-mile loop along the upper falls.' It gives no difficulty rating, elevation gain or hiking time, so we list none. Under accessibility, DCR's page reads 'Hiking: Graded, Scenic views.'
Don't read 'Graded' as wheelchair friendly. Berkshires Outside's assessment found a steep entrance that drops about 20 feet, with slopes up to 22%, and later stretches steeper than 12%. We found no designated accessible trail at the park.
Wear shoes with good grip, since the entrance is steep and the loop runs along the upper falls. Take the first descent slowly, and save some energy for the climb back to the lot.
Dogs can come along. DCR's park page says 'DOGS ALLOWED,' and DCR's dog guidance says dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet.
When to visit
DCR lists the park's hours as sunrise to dusk. We found no seasonal closing date on its page, and snowmobiling is one of the activities DCR lists for the park.
For the strongest flow, go in spring. DCR says the falls are 'especially impressive during the spring runoff.' We found no official guidance on crowds or on how low the brook runs in late summer.
On October 29, 2026, DCR's Wahconah Falls State Park page showed no alert banner. We also found no 2025 or 2026 closures in news coverage.
To see a bigger drop on the same trip through the Berkshires, look at Bash Bish Falls. Its final drop is about 60 feet, and it has its own swimming ban. Doane's Falls is outside the Berkshires, in Royalston in north-central Massachusetts, and has a short accessible trail to its lower falls.
| Height | 40 ftNote: main falls, per DCR, below several smaller falls; Wikipedia describes four drops over Becket Gneiss |
|---|---|
| Trail | Half-mile loop along the upper falls (DCR); Berkshires Outside found a steep entrance with slopes up to 22%. No official difficulty or time |
| Entry fee | Free. DCR says free parking is available on-site. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or ticket listed by DCR |
| Parking | Free on-site lot, 68 Wahconah Falls Road |
| Hours / season | Sunrise to dusk (DCR) |
| Dogs | Allowed: DCR's park page says 'DOGS ALLOWED'. DCR's dog guidance says dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet |
| Swimming | No. DCR lists 'No swimming' under the park's restrictions. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | We found no designated accessible trail. DCR's 'Graded' trail label is not an accessibility rating, and Berkshires Outside found a steep entrance with slopes up to 22% |
| Best time to visit | Spring runoff, when DCR says the falls are 'especially impressive' |
| Managed by | Massachusetts DCR, Wahconah Falls State Park |
Safety and swimming
DCR lists 'No swimming' under the park's restrictions. View the falls and the pool from the trail, and keep back from the edge of the rock.
Expect wet, mossy rock near the water and ice on the paths in winter. The steep trail entrance that Berkshires Outside measured is a place to slow down, especially with children.
Never jump from or climb on the falls. Keep children within reach and dogs on a short leash near the brook. Our waterfall safety guide explains the risks of cold, moving water.
Where to stay near Wahconah Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Dalton.
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Photos
Wahconah Falls FAQ
Can you swim in Wahconah Falls?
No. DCR lists 'No swimming' among the restrictions for Wahconah Falls State Park. View the falls from the trail and keep back from the edge.
Is Wahconah Falls State Park free?
Yes. DCR says free parking is available on-site, and its page lists no permit or ticket.
How long is the hike at Wahconah Falls?
About half a mile. DCR describes a half-mile loop along the upper falls and gives no difficulty rating or time. Berkshires Outside found a steep entrance, about 20 feet down, with slopes up to 22%.
How tall is Wahconah Falls?
40 feet for the main falls. DCR calls it 'the 40-foot Wahconah Falls,' which the brook reaches after flowing over several smaller falls. Wikipedia describes the falls as four drops over Becket Gneiss.
Are dogs allowed at Wahconah Falls?
Yes. DCR's park page says 'DOGS ALLOWED.' DCR's dog guidance says dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet.
How do I get to Wahconah Falls?
Drive to 68 Wahconah Falls Road, Dalton, MA 01226, where parking is free. DCR gives the lot's coordinates as 42°29'22.0"N 73°6'54.5"W if your map app needs them.
What are the hours at Wahconah Falls State Park?
Sunrise to dusk, according to DCR. We found no seasonal closing date on its page.
Nearby waterfalls
Bash Bish Falls32 mi straight-lineOpen60FT
Doane's Falls48 mi straight-lineOpen
Kent Falls52 mi straight-lineOpen250FT
Kaaterskill Falls53 mi straight-lineOpen260FT
Wadsworth Falls70 mi straight-lineOpen30FT
Southford Falls71 mi straight-lineUnconfirmed
All waterfalls in Massachusetts
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Free waterfalls
Sources
- Mass.gov DCR: Wahconah Falls State Park
- Mass.gov: Dogs in DCR Parks
- Berkshires Outside: Wahconah Falls State Park
- Wikipedia: Wahconah Falls State Park
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Massachusetts DCR, Wahconah Falls State Park before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.