If you’re yearning for a breathtaking natural escape, look no further than Bushkill Falls which besides being referred to as the “Niagara Falls of PA” is also not very far from NYC too. It’s an amazing place/hike worth exploring for a day trip and in this post I’ll show you exactly what to expect.
Info:
- Name: Bushkill Falls
- Location: Pocono Mountains Pennsylvania (Delaware Water Gap)
- Cost to enter: $10-$17 per person (details below)
- Distance from NYC: 2 hours
- Ideal time to go for: 1 day
- Reviews: 5 out of 5
Quick overview:
Bushkill Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Pennsylvania, especially the Pocono Mountains. There are 8 waterfalls and 4 trails that take you through the area but not all of them have you see every single waterfall in the area. Here are the details of each trail:
- Green Trail (easy): Takes 15 minutes to complete (no real hiking)
- Yellow Trail (moderate): Takes about 45 minutes to walk and offers views of the Main Falls, Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, and Upper Canyon
- Blue Trail: Takes 1-2 hours to walk and is recommended for viewing Pennell Falls
- Red Trail (hard): Takes 2 hours and lasts 2 miles but this is the hike that includes all eight fall along the way
If you’re a hiker, I would strongly recommend doing the red trail if you can so you can maximize your visit to Bushkill Falls. If you are injured or perhaps unable to hike the more difficult areas, the green or yellow trail might be more ideal for you.
Planning your visit:
Bushkill Falls is typically open from April through October or November, but these dates can vary slightly each year and on the weather. Usually, the area opens at 9:00 AM, with the last admission in the late afternoon, often around 4:00-6:00 PM, depending on the season. Now let’s talk ticket prices in detail:
- Weekday admission is $17 for general visitors and $16 for seniors (ages 62 and older), and $10 for children (ages 4-10).
- On weekends and holidays, prices are $20 for general visitors, $19 for seniors, and remains $10 for children. Kids aged 3 and younger can enter for free.
Best times to go:
Let’s talk about timing meaning when to visit (season/time of day). For the best season to visit, I’d say there’s no wrong choice and you really have 3 seasons to choose from (with the exception of winter when the area is closed).
- During spring you will have more chilly weather along the hike.
- During summer you will find the area the hottest and most crowded, but still beautiful.
- Fall is likely the most beautiful time to hike in the area.
- Now winter is officially a none visit season but people still do it. The only thing is, the area is closed and though people still go there, you’ll have to take a longer walk to reach the Bushkill Falls area and the hikes themselves will be way more risky/dangerous to explore.
Now let’s get into the timing:
Early morning right after opening or late afternoon before closing are the goldilocks zones for tranquility. These are the times when you’ll share the trails with fewer visitors and can relish the peaceful sounds of nature.
In my opinion, don’t discount the value of a winter visits either. The frozen cascades and the serene, snow-covered landscapes offer a completely different, but equally breathtaking experience.
Tips:
If you’re looking to take a lot of awesome photos, visit in the early hours to afternoon because the sun will help cast a good glow over the waters.
Again, visit early if you can because as the hours progress throughout the day, the crowds will fill up the area.
If you can visit Bushkill Falls on a weekday (and early), that is even better as you won’t need to worry too much about crowds and will have more opportunities to take amazing photos without having to wait in line or have people in the view (it’s also slightly cheaper per person).
For the most amount of time to explore the area, go during the summer because of the longer sunlight hours.
Finally bring some snacks, wear hiking shoes and a light backpack that can fit some water bottles for each person. I’d say 2 bottles of water for the summer are enough even if you do the red trail, but just consider this to be a hike and prepare accordingly for it.
Last notes:
Besides Bushkill Falls, there’s additional waterfall hikes not far from the area that I would strongly recommend checking out after you’re finished (so if you can finish before the afternoon hours, that’s ideal). Those 2 places are Dingman’s Falls and Raymondskill Falls which are 2 additional hikes with amazing sights/waterfalls.
If you have the energy and time left in the day (visit during the summer to maximize this option) you can easily cover one or both of these places after your visit to really make the most of your visit here. Considering these areas are all within the Delaware Water Gap, you’ll have multiple adventures to check out in a single day (or if you decide to stay a night).
Overall Bushkill Falls is probably one of the most popular spots to visit in the Delaware Water Gap/Pocono Mountains area and if you’re a NYC resident who loves nature, this is a must visit as far as I’m concerned! So if you decide to go, leave as early as you can and I hope this article helps you have an awesome time here.