Hike Bash Bish Falls in Massachusetts

What to bring

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Massachusetts’ tallest waterfall drops 60 feet through a dramatic slot canyon that feels more like something you’d find out west than in New England. The catch? You barely have to work for it.

What to Expect

From the parking area, it’s maybe 15 minutes of easy walking on a wide, well-maintained path before you hear the water. The trail drops gradually through mixed forest, crossing a few small streams on wooden bridges. Nothing challenging here — I’ve seen families with strollers make it work.

The payoff hits you suddenly. The path opens up and there it is: a narrow cascade plunging through sculpted granite into a surprisingly deep pool. The rock formation is the real star — smooth, carved channels where the water has worked its magic over thousands of years. On the left side, there’s this cave-like overhang where the stream seems to emerge from the rock itself. The whole setup looks almost artificial, like someone designed it for maximum drama.

You’ve got two viewing options. The upper platform gives you the Instagram shot — full waterfall framed by rock walls. But walk down the stone steps to get close and you’ll see why people pack lunches here. The pool at the base is crystal clear, surrounded by smooth granite slabs perfect for sitting. The water continues downstream over more sculpted rock formations, creating a series of smaller cascades and pools.

Difficulty

This is about as easy as waterfall hikes get. The main trail is basically a nature walk. The only remotely challenging part is the stone stairway down to the base — it’s steep and can be slippery when wet, but it’s well-built with handrails. Even that’s optional if you’re happy with the upper viewpoint.

Best Time to Go

Spring snowmelt turns this from pretty to spectacular — usually peak flow hits in April and May. Summer is fine but the flow drops significantly by August. Fall brings the leaf-peepers, so expect crowds on weekends. I prefer early morning or late afternoon to avoid the tour buses from NYC that sometimes roll through. Winter can be magical if you can handle potentially icy conditions on that final stairway.

Before You Go

The parking area fills up fast on nice weekends — get there early or be prepared to park along the road. There’s a small fee for the state park. No restrooms or water at the trailhead, but the town of Copake Falls is just a few minutes away if you need supplies. Cell service is spotty once you’re on the trail. Fair warning: this sits right on the Massachusetts-New York border, and some GPS systems get confused about which state park entrance to send you to. Aim for the Massachusetts side unless you want a longer hike.

Best Hiking Season

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