Bash Bish Falls State Park in Massachusetts, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bash Bish Falls State Park in Mount Washington, Massachusetts, is a waterfall-viewing destination reached on foot from either Massachusetts or New York. Bash Bish Brook makes a final drop of about 60 feet. Choose your parking lot by the hike you want, and enjoy the falls from the designated viewing area. Entering the water is prohibited.

Highlights at the falls

• The waterfall: a roughly 60-foot final plunge is the focus of the protected viewing area.
• Two approaches: the Massachusetts route is shorter and steeper; the New York route is longer and more gradual.
• A larger forest setting: adjoining protected lands connect the waterfall to Mount Washington State Forest and Taconic State Park.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety information

Stay on designated trails and within the viewing area. Direct access to the falls, swimming, diving, and rock climbing are prohibited. The upper gorge cannot be accessed from the Massachusetts parking lot. Trails and rocks can be slippery; wear sturdy footwear.

Visit responsibly

Keep pets leashed and remove their waste. Carry out all trash; there are no trash cans. Picnicking, grilling, fires, alcohol, glass containers, coolers, and drones are prohibited at the falls.

Maps, location, and access

The Massachusetts approach starts at the Falls Road parking lot in Mount Washington. The New York approach starts in Taconic State Park near Copake Falls, off Route 344. Use the DCR park page and its linked trail map to choose the correct approach. A map point for the waterfall is not a vehicle entrance.

Nearby parks

• Taconic State Park – Copake Falls Area: the New York-side approach is reached from Route 344 and also provides other park activities.
• Mount Washington State Forest: this adjoining Massachusetts forest is part of the same protected landscape around the falls.

Choose a hike to the viewing area

Neither route to the falls is wheelchair accessible. The longer route should not be mistaken for a paved or step-free alternative.

Facilities and accessibility

The site provides a scenic viewing area and seasonal portable toilets. DCR lists accessible portable toilets at the Massachusetts parking lot and viewing deck during a limited fall period, from Labor Day through Columbus Day. Confirm availability if that facility is essential to your visit.

The waterfall and its wider landscape

Cultural history

DCR identifies Bash Bish as sacred to the Mohican and Scaghticoke peoples. The waterfall later became a subject for artists and a destination for visitors.

Forest habitats

The park and adjoining conserved lands support protected species and areas of old-growth forest. The waterfall is part of that connected habitat, so a visit centers on observing from the permitted routes rather than approaching the water or gorge.

Contact

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation: 413-528-0330. For New York-side facilities and access, consult the Taconic State Park – Copake Falls information.