Often described as “the state’s most dramatic waterfall,” Bash Bish Falls is a segmented 80-foot drop of Bash Bish Brook. Worthy of our highest rating, the falls are perhaps the most well-known and frequently photographed waterfall in Massachusetts. A mighty boulder splits the falls into two sections. Immediately after, the walls surrounding both sides of the falls ricochet the water back together just before crashing into a pool below. With a little imagination, you could even claim that the falls take on the shape of a diamond. Below the waterfall is a deep pool, with clear and inviting water, but, unfortunately, dangerous currents have forced state park officials to prohibit swimming. Bash Bish Falls is one of the most publicized waterfalls in the state. Just about every hiking guide to Massachusetts, whether online or in print form, mentions this waterfall. There is a downside to this immense popularity; we have heard accounts of as many as three thousand people a day visiting the falls during the warmest of summer days. On the upside, Bash Bish Falls sees very few visitors on the cooler days of early spring. Those looking for more difficult terrain might consider adding nearby Race Brook Falls to compliment Bash Bish Falls. Only a few miles apart, both falls combined provide an excellent sample of the waterfalls southwestern Massachusetts has to offer.

The trail, marked with blue triangles, travels downhill for its entirety. Full of roots and rocks to maneuver across, the trail crosses two small streams that often dry up during the summer, but can be very muddy after a heavy rain storm. As you hike down to the falls, the powerful crashing sound of the waterfall increases. Near the falls is a nicely-constructed rock stairway complete with handrails to provide you easy access down to the best viewpoint. Altogether the trail is just under a half-mile in length, very easy to follow, and requires only a small amount of careful scrambling.

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

Although technically located in New York, there is an additional noteworthy set of falls that can be accessed from the lower parking area of Bash Bish Falls in NY (see directions, below). To access these falls, which are on Cedar Brook, walk across Bashbish Rd and follow a blue-blazed trail as it parallels the brook. The last falls are about 0.5 mile up this trail.