Bushkill Falls

What sets Bushkill apart is how thoroughly it is built for walking. Generations of trail-building have laced the gorge with boardwalks, bridges, and stairways that carry visitors right up beside the water, across the streams, and out to viewpoints that would otherwise be impossible to reach. Several looping routes let you choose a quick visit to the Main Falls or a longer circuit past all eight cascades.

The falls form where Little Bushkill Creek and its tributaries drop through layers of hard and soft rock, cutting the deep, mossy ravine. Ferns, hemlocks, and rhododendron crowd the walls, and the constant spray keeps the whole gorge cool and green even in the heat of summer, which is a large part of why it has drawn walkers for so long.

Bushkill Falls opened to the public in 1904, when a local family built the first trails and bridges to share the gorge with travelers. It grew into one of the Poconos' signature stops in the golden age of the region's resorts, when railroads and highways brought city families up into the mountains for cool air and scenery.

The site has stayed in private hands and has been maintained and improved across the decades, with the walkways rebuilt and extended over time. Alongside the falls the grounds have gathered the familiar trappings of an old-style roadside attraction, from gift shops to paddle boats and gem panning, but the waterfalls and the gorge remain the reason to come.

This corner of the Poconos lies within the ancestral homeland of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware, who lived along the Delaware River and its tributaries for countless generations before European settlement pushed them west. Their descendant communities continue elsewhere today, and the region's place names still carry echoes of the Lenape language.

The Poconos rose in the modern era as a resort landscape, first for the grand mountain hotels of the railroad age and later for the honeymoon lodges and family resorts of the mid-twentieth century. Bushkill Falls fits into that story as one of the natural landmarks that gave the region its reputation for scenery, alongside the nearby Delaware Water Gap.

The gorge is a pocket of eastern hardwood and hemlock forest, and quiet walkers may spot white-tailed deer, chipmunks, and a range of woodland songbirds, while the streams support salamanders and other creatures of cool, wet places. The dense rhododendron and fern give the ravine a lush, almost rainforest feel in the warm months.

Spring is when the falls run fullest, fed by snowmelt and rain, and the gorge greens up fast. Summer is the busiest season and the coolest place to be on a hot day. Autumn brings a blaze of color to the surrounding forest and is many visitors' favorite time. The site closes for the coldest part of winter, so plan a visit for the open season.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Bushkill Falls is a series of eight beautiful cascading waterfalls tumbling through a lush wooded gorge in the Pocono Mountains, so scenic it is nicknamed the Niagara of Pennsylvania. A privately owned attraction and one of the state's most popular outdoor destinations, it is explored via a network of wooden walkways, bridges, and trails that wind past and over the falls. The combination of dramatic waterfalls and well-built paths makes it accessible and rewarding for a wide range of visitors.

Four color-coded trails let you tailor your visit to your time and ability. The short Green trail takes about fifteen minutes to see the main falls, the Yellow trail runs around forty-five minutes, and the full Red trail takes a couple of hours and visits all eight waterfalls. The paths mix boardwalks, steps, and natural surface, with the longer Red trail crossing rocks and tree roots that make it more challenging and not ideal for those with mobility issues.

Bushkill Falls is seasonal, generally open from around mid-April through November and closed in winter. Spring brings the fullest, most powerful flow, while fall dresses the gorge in beautiful color. Because it is very popular, expect heavy crowds on weekends, so arriving right at opening lets you enjoy the main falls in relative peace. Checking current hours and admission before you go helps you plan, and weekdays are generally quieter.

There is an admission fee, and it is worth noting that the falls, gift shop, and souvenirs are on the pricier side. Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear, since the boardwalks, rocks, and steps can be wet and slippery, and watch your footing, especially on the rugged Red trail. There are no restrooms or amenities along the trails, so use the facilities at the entrance first. Leashed dogs are welcome, and a camera is a must.

Bushkill Falls sits in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, near the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with its scenic river, trails, and more waterfalls, and within reach of the region's resorts, lakes, and outdoor attractions. The charming towns and outdoor recreation of the Poconos surround it. That makes Bushkill Falls an easy and scenic highlight on a broader trip through northeastern Pennsylvania's mountain country.