Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Falls State Park is located in the southwestern part of Massachusetts, near the tri-state border of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. What makes it especially interesting is that it connects directly with Taconic State Park in New York, and both parks share the same waterfall, Bash Bish Falls. There are trails from both the Massachusetts and New York parking areas that lead to the waterfall. The water is extremely clear, with a slightly bluish tone that makes the scenery feel very clean and refreshing. Along the trail, there are also signs marking the Massachusetts–New York state border. I’m not sure about the parking situation on the New York side, but the Massachusetts parking lot is free. From there, you can simply follow the trail downhill to reach the falls. However, the waterfall is for viewing only. You cannot go close to it, and swimming is not allowed. Bash Bish Falls State Park is a great weekend getaway near New York. It is located on the border of upstate New York and Massachusetts, about a little over 2 hours’ drive from New York City, at Falls Rd, Mt Washington, MA 01258. The park is a beautiful forest area with waterfalls, streams, and hiking trails. Activities in the surrounding area include swimming, fishing, hiking, and hunting. On this trip, we went for a BBQ. We brought our own grill, charcoal, food, and drinks. After parking, we walked deeper into the park. Along the way, there were streams and many people swimming. Everyone was respectful and kept a good distance from each other. After about 20 minutes of walking, we reached the waterfall, which was very impressive. Some people were even jumping into the water from the rocks. The whole area is shaded, so it is not too hot even in warm weather. However, the trail is quite rough, so comfortable walking shoes are necessary, and it is also a good idea to bring water-friendly shoes or sandals. The air feels extremely fresh, almost like a natural oxygen bar. Occasionally escaping the city and spending time in nature feels very refreshing. There are two parking lots in the park. It is better to park at the first one you see, because the trail from there to the waterfall is flatter. The deeper parking lot has more elevation change and is harder to walk from.