I have to be honest, after visiting Bash Bish Falls, I was somewhat disappointed. I guess up to this point I had been spoiled with some epic hikes and big parks with numerous activities, view points and sites. So fast forward – I have now visited 20 of the state parks on The Discoverer’s list of the Best State Park in Each State (yes I am behind in writing as Bash Bish is #8), and I’ve realized that there is something unique about each park. Not all parks have a ton of different activities, view points, and sites, nor are they all big. But if you seek out what makes the park unique and perhaps combine it with other parks/sites in the area, it will be worth the visit. This is especially relevant as I write about Bash Bish Falls State Park.
So, I had just finished a great hike at Mt. Frissell – the highest point in Connecticut and I was excited to visit Bash Bish Falls State Park. The park is 424 acres and the main attraction is Bash Bish Falls – the highest single-drop waterfall in Massachusetts – with a dramatic final pitch that drops about 80 feet into an emerald plunge pool. It is adjacent to the 4,000-acre Mount Washington State Forest, as well as New York’s 5,000-acre Taconic State Park – two places to add to your visit.
I had done a little research and learned that the Massachusetts parking area was under construction, so I parked on the New York side – not the end of the world – but adds to the story.
Parking: Where you park determines your hike to the falls.
- From Massachusetts Parking Lot: (When it reopens) Difficult ability (I can’t attest to this), about 0.6 miles round-trip. It’s shorter, more rugged, and strenuous per the park website.
- From New York Parking Lot: Moderate ability (it’s really easy in my opinion), about 1.5 miles round-trip. It’s longer and gradual, but rocky and uneven per the park website.
Pictures: Views along the hike up to Bash Bish Falls
As you can see in the above pictures – more and more parks are asking that you refrain from stacking rocks or making cairns and rightfully so. This practice is disruptive to the environment – not only does it cause harmful erosion, but many insects and mammals head under rocks to live, reproduce or escape their predators. Now don’t get me wrong, people have been stacking rocks since the dawn of time, typically for directional or burial purposes. And more recently, park officials began creating them on hiking trails – especially potentially confusing paths – to help ensure hikers don’t get lost. But we shouldn’t be creating them for the sake of an Instagram post. Our future relies on a healthy natural environment and we need to abide by the motto – Leave no Trace!
The falls are beautiful and I really enjoyed hiking the gorge. It certainly was a relaxing visit and especially welcoming after a long hike up to Mt. Frissell.
Pictures: The deep, verdant gorge | Bash Bish Falls and the gorge
If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth the visit and there are a ton of things to do in both the Berkshires and the Taconic Mountain Range.
Date of Visit: 12 May 2023