Bushkill Falls: What to Know Before You Go + Trail Tips
Bushkill Falls is one of those places that instantly makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a real-life postcard.
Tucked away in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, this breathtaking spot is often called the “Niagara of Pennsylvania” — and once you see it, you’ll understand why.
With eight stunning waterfalls connected by scenic hiking trails, wooden walkways, and charming footbridges, this is the perfect location for a day of adventure, nature photography, or just escaping the hustle of everyday life.
Whether you’re visiting with kids and searching for some family fun, planning a romantic day trip, or just craving some fresh air and forest views, there’s something magical waiting around every corner.
Exploring the Bushkill Falls Trails: What to Know Before You Hike
The trails offer some of the best hikes in the Poconos, offering something for every type of adventurer — from casual walkers to seasoned hikers — with incredible views of cascading waterfalls. Just grab a trail map and get ready to explore!
- If you’re looking for an easy stroll, the Green Trail is a great place to start. In just about 15 minutes, you’ll reach a viewpoint overlooking the top of the main falls—perfect for families or those short on time.
- For a little more variety, the Yellow Trail leads to several scenic spots, including the main waterfall, Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, and Upper Canyon. It’s a fantastic way to get a full view of what the falls has to offer without a strenuous hike.
- Want to go a little deeper into nature? The Blue Trail extends your journey to the peaceful and majestic Pennell Falls, a quieter spot that’s well worth the walk.
- And for the experienced hiker, the Red Trail is your challenge. It’s the most difficult route, but the payoff is big—Bridal Veil Falls, tucked deeper into the woods and framed by rugged beauty.
Bushkill Falls Things to Do
Within the park, visitors can enjoy:
- Learn about the area’s history and wildlife at the Nature Exhibit and Native American Exhibit.
- Explore hiking trails leading to various waterfalls, including the Main Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
- Try trout fishing in the Twin Lakes.
- Paddleboat Rentals are available on Twin Lakes.
- Designated areas are available for picnicking.
- Mining for Gemstones
You’ll find this scenic destination at 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324, tucked away in the heart of the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s conveniently located about 2 hours from New York City and just 1.5 hours from Allentown, making it an easy and beautiful day trip.
Autumn is often the ideal season to visit, thanks to its crisp, comfortable weather—daytime highs usually range from the low 70s to mid-50s, while evenings can drop into the 30s. It’s also the least rainy time of year, with only around seven days of precipitation each month, making it perfect for hiking and soaking in the colorful fall scenery.
The park is generally open from April through October, with possible extended days into November depending on the weather. Gates open daily at 9:00 AM, and closing times range from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, based on the time of year and day of the week. Keep in mind—ticket sales, food stands, and gift shops wrap up about an hour before closing.
The four scenic hiking trails range from an easy 15-minute walk to a challenging 2-hour trek. The Green Trail provides a quick view of the Main Falls and is an easy 15-minute walk, while the Yellow and Blue Trails offer longer hikes with views of multiple waterfalls and range from 45-75 minutes respectively. The Red Trail is the most demanding, covering all eight waterfalls with lots of stairs and boardwalks over a 2-mile loop, taking approximately 2 hours.
Admission to Bushkill Falls costs $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $12 for children ages 4–10, while kids 3 and under are free. Additional activities like gemstone mining and fishing are available for extra fees.
The Red Trail at Bushkill Falls is moderately strenuous, with visitors reporting over 1,200 steps throughout the hike. It’s a solid workout, so wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for a physical adventure.
Things to do Near Bushkill Falls
If you’re heading to the area, there are plenty of nearby attractions and activities to round out your trip. Here are some top recommendations worth exploring of things to do in the Poconos:
- Outdoor Adventures: Enjoy hiking, waterfalls, and scenic views at nearby spots like Delaware Water Gap, Dingmans Falls, and the rugged Thunder Swamp Trail.
- Family-Friendly Attractions: Spend the day ziplining, splashing at a waterpark, or racing go-karts with fun options for all ages nearby.
- Cultural & Educational Sites: Discover regional history at the Pocono Indian Museum or explore nature and learning programs at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center.
Wow!! What a gorgeous view!! Looks like that hike is totally worth it! We really love to hunt waterfalls so will have to go one day!
It sounds like an awesome hike! I’m glad you pushed through and finished the whole hike to the falls. It definitely feels great to accomplish something like that.
That sounds like such a great place to hike. That waterfall is GORGEOUS. I would love to take my family hiking there.
I’m going to have to head to the Poconos! My husband loves waterfalls. I actually looked at the CX-5 a couple of years ago, but it didn’t have quite enough room for us.
We don’t live too far from the Poconos but I never heard of these falls. My husband likes taking the kids for hikes so this would be a perfect destination and hike.
What a gorgeous place! I love the views of the waterfalls and the forests. So beautiful.
That’s a very nice ride! I rode in an earlier year of this recently, a friend of mine drives one….this place looks perfect for hiking. It’s beautiful.
I can totally see why you’d be nervous because I would be, too, but I’m glad you did it and had such a wonderful time with your family.
Looks like such a gorgeous place! Love the falls. Thanks for sharing!
This looks beautiful! I would love to come visit here, I think my husband and the kids would love it. I haven’t been hiking in years, so it would be an adventure for sure lol
That looks absolutely beautiful! I would love to hike that with my family. It looks like you guys had a great time. I love all the tips you have here. It really does help.
I used to go to camps in the Poconos when I was a kid. I haven’t been in that area in forever. But seeing your pics reminds me of the beauty of the Poconos. I would have been nervous going on a kike in a place called BushKILL…lol. But I’m glad you got over your nerves because it looked lso worth it.
What a beautiful hike for the family- sure your kids were grateful to spend the day adventuring with you! Plus, the Cx-5 looks like the perfect car to relax in on your way back home.
Wow your photos look amazing. These are really great tips. I hope a get a chance to visit.
These are good suggestions. I’d want to be comfortable and prepared while taking lots of pictures and enjoying the sights. This trip sounded great!
What a gorgeous hike! I would have to pack me a picnic and a book for when I needed rest. It looks totally restorative.
My son loves to hike. This place looks amazing. I can see my son enjoying all it has to offer. Adding this to my must-see list.
Bushkill Falls looks so breathtaking! My family loves to do nature walks and hikes so this is a trek we would totally enjoy. I hope some day we can make it there to visit!
All your posts make me so excited to head to the Poconos – these falls sound fantastic and we love a good hikek
What a gorgeous area! I used to be a park ranger at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I hiked all the trails there except the rim to rim trail, because I knew my limitations. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it. I can no longer hike, so I have to see trails like this one through other peoples eyes.
I have heard of this place before but never knew where it was. I know I am up for the hiking challenge!
This place is so beautiful! It looks like an awesome place to visit.
So many great tips for hiking the Bushkill Falls. I have never been there but it is so beautiful. I would love to hike there one day.
The waterfalls are beautiful! It’s not that far from here, I’ll have to check it out soom
Hiking is one of my family’s favorite things to do together. I would to go explore Bushkill Falls. It looks so beautiful there.
This place looks gorgeous! These are great tips for hiking! Such a fun family outing!
That looks like a lot of fun. My husband and I have been wanting to take our girls hiking sometime. You’ve got a lot of good tips here too.
That looks like an awesome family car and I really enjoyed seeing so many photos of your family in such a beautiful place. I have to put Bushkill Falls on our to do lists since we have always loved family vacations to do fun things like this.
What a gorgeous hiking spot … the scenery is just lovely!
Definitely a great destination.
Whoa, what a cool hike! I wish this was closer to me because I would totally do this with my hubby.
These are really great tips! My family loves hiking and I am sure we could use these tips next time.
I’ve always wanted to go on a hike, and Bushkill Falls looks and sounds like a lovely place to go on one. I’ve been struggling with my back more and more recently, so I thin I’d struggle at the moment, but one day I WILL tick hiking off my bucket list!!
Louise x
That’s a great trip! How fun! The colors look beautiful, too.
Wow! I am loving these photos .What a gorgeous place to hike and explore. The photo of the falls is just beautiful. These are some really great tips!
These are great tips. That waterfall is just beautiful! I would love to see it in person sometime.
Love this post. I am always on the look out for new places to hike. Being that I have a lot of family in Pennsylvania, this one is definitely doable.
These are awesome tips! We’ve been wanting to go to Bushkill Falls for a while now but have been waiting for our toddler to get a little older. Hopefully we will make our way there this coming summer and will keep all your tips in mind! Thanks for sharing :0
This place looks great. I always wish I lived somewhere that had more hiking opportunities. There is one place about an hour away, but that is about it. Compared to a real mountain, it is nothing.
I love Bushkill Falls. We hiked the falls on my one and only trip to the Poconos and I loved it. It’s such a beautiful place to see and explore.
I go hiking every weekend so I really loved this post. This is close enough to me would love to try it out
Wow! This place looks absolutely stunning and gorgeous! I love waterfalls so next time we are near there we will definitely be taking a pit stop!
What a gorgeous place! I want to take my dog to a place with waterfalls, but so far I haven’t found one near where we live.
Sounds like a great place to visit and hike. It’s nice to be surrounded by nature and enjoy the amazing view.
My family is from Madeira so I love hiking and I agree that hiking boots are a must if you are going to attempt to conquer some trails. Bushkill Falls looks marvelous!
I have never heard of Bushkill Falls before but the scenery looks lovely. Maybe I need to add this to my travel bucket list.
What a beautiful park and great hiking location. I love the car your were able to text drive too!
This looks like a lovely place to visit, and I’m glad you had such a good time with your family. I’ve never really done much hiking, but it is definitely something I would like to do in the future.
We have passed the Bushkill Falls area when we stayed in the Poconos Mountains not too long ago. I really like that area. I would love to be able to coax my sweetie to come explore the Falls with me one of these days.
I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to go and hike but I want to try! You’re inspiring me to push myself. Thanks!
What a gorgeous hike! Your children are growing up with so many incredible memories from family adventures. We don’t have hiking trails like this where we are but we should definitely venture out because my daughters would love the experience.
I would love to visit Bushkill Falls with my family. Anytime that we have the opportunity to spend more time together outdoors is a good time.
I grew up in Bushkill, we used to go to Bushkill falls and run through all of those trails. I miss it and often think of going back. Unfortunately now I am scared to death of heights bwahaha omg
Funny how things change when we get older LOL.