For nature lovers, the power of a waterfall can be an almost spiritual experience. In that sense, Bushkill Falls in Pennsylvania is the equivalent of a cathedral – a man-made environment designed to provide a heightened encounter with the beauty of nature. It’s an experience centered around waterfalls – actually a series of eight waterfalls a network of staircases, boardwalks, bridges and trails, offering fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest. Today on Nature Break, we explore Bushkill Falls.
Bushkill Falls is a private waterfall park in Eastern Pennsylvania, set on 300 acres deep in the woods of the Pocono Mountains,. It is one of the region’s most popular scenic attractions, described as “Niagara of Pennsylvania.” It’s about a 30-minute drive north from Stroudsburg, a short distance off of Route 209. There is an entrance fee, which as of Summer 2024 was $20 for adults and $10 for children, which provides access to all the waterfalls ands trails.
There are four trails designed for different lengths and fitness levels, ranging from a 15-minute walk around the Main Falls to a more vigorous two-mile hike past all 8 waterfalls. If you’re not sure which trail is best, the staff can provide guidance. We followed the “Popular Trail” which offered many beautiful angles from observation platforms on the falls as you descend the staircases along the cliffs.
The flow across the falls may vary depending on the weather and time of year. Our first visit was in the summer of 2022 during a historic drought. As you near the Main Falls, the roar of the water gets louder.
The Main Falls are about 100 feet tall, and are created by the Little Bushkill Creek as it flows down the mountains and through Laurel Glen. There’s a deep pool at the foot of the waterfall, in front of the pedestrian bridge across Little Bushkill Creek, which flows on through a rocky gorge, descending another 70 feet. It’s one of two creeks flowing through Bushkill, along with the Pond Run Creek. Visitors who follow the longer Red Trail will follow Pond Run past Bridal Veil Falls, along with two separate falls both named Bridesmaid Falls.
After spending time at the foot of the main falls, you’ll climb back to the main trails, and likely get a workout on the staircases, which can be steep at times. Once you reach the top, another bridge overs a view of the top of the Main Falls.
Bushkill Falls was opened to the public by Charles Peters in 1904, with a single path and a swinging bridge over the head of the main falls. It has been expanded steadily over the decades by the Peters Family. In 2023 Bushkill Falls was acquired by Aramark, a hospitality company knowns for providing food service at stadiums, hospitals and schools. The park includes a wildlife exhibit, and several shops near the entrance to the trails, offering T-shirts and mementos. There’s also a snack bar and picnic area.
Some reviewers and online commenters in online forums don’t like the idea of paying to visit a waterfall. There’s good news either way. If you love waterfalls, it strikes me that Bushkills Falls is a pretty good value for the experience. It’s also worth noting that there are decent bathrooms and abundant parking, much moreso than at other waterfalls in the Poconos. Speaking of which, if you don’t want to pay to see a waterfall, you can visit Dingmans Falls, which is just a 15-minute drive from Bushkill.
RESOURCES:
Bushkill Falls (Official Site
Bushkill Falls Trail Options
Exploring Bushkill Falls (PA Bucket List)
Bushkill Falls: Is It Worth Paying?
