Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls, in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, is known as the ‘Niagara of Pennsylvania’ — a privately owned natural wonder where Bushkill Creek and its tributaries tumble over eight separate waterfalls through a series of dramatic, hemlock-lined gorges. The Main Falls, plunging about 100 feet in a single cascade, is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the eastern United States.

The falls have been a celebrated natural attraction since the early 20th century, with a network of trails, bridges and boardwalks leading through the gorges past all eight waterfalls, from the towering Main Falls to the delicate Upper Gorge falls. Set in a lush Pocono forest of hemlocks, ferns and mosses, the gorges stay cool and misty even in summer. A private park with strong conservation stewardship, Bushkill Falls is one of the iconic natural destinations of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Bushkill Falls offers a network of trail loops (ranging from an easy half-mile boardwalk to the Main Falls to a more strenuous 2.5-mile loop visiting all eight falls) through the hemlock gorges, with bridges and overlooks at each waterfall, plus the surrounding grounds with picnic areas, a nature center, paddle-boating and other family amenities. Hiking all eight waterfalls through the gorges — especially the thundering Main Falls — is the essential experience. The combination of so many spectacular waterfalls, intimate gorges and well-maintained trails makes Bushkill Falls one of the premier waterfall destinations in the eastern United States.

Spring is the prime waterfall season, when snowmelt and rain fill Bushkill Creek to its fullest and the Main Falls roars at its most powerful, while fall brings brilliant Pocono foliage framing the falls in the gorges (a spectacular autumn combination), and summer offers cool, misty shade in the hemlock gorges on hot days. The falls are open from April through November (closed in winter). Spring for the fullest falls and fall for the foliage are the highlights — arrive early on busy summer and fall weekends, and wear good footwear for the gorge trails.

The Bushkill Creek gorges and their waterfalls have attracted visitors since the late 19th century, but the formal attraction was established in 1904 by Charles Peters, who built the first trails and bridges to make the falls accessible. The site has remained in family ownership for well over a century, with the Peters family maintaining and developing it as a private natural attraction while protecting the gorges and forest. The nickname ‘Niagara of Pennsylvania’ reflects its reputation as the premier waterfall destination of the Poconos. Bushkill Falls has welcomed millions of visitors over more than a century, a landmark of northeastern Pennsylvania and of private conservation in the public interest.

Bushkill Falls was formed where Bushkill Creek and its tributaries, draining the Pocono Plateau, drop steeply through the edge of the plateau into the ridge-and-valley topography below, cutting down through layers of sedimentary rock — shales, sandstones and conglomerates deposited in ancient seas — that erode at different rates, forming a series of eight distinct waterfalls and gorges. The Ice Age glaciers left their mark on the Pocono uplands above, and the creek continues to carve the gorges. The layered sedimentary rock, the steep drop off the plateau edge and the down-cutting creeks created this remarkable concentration of eight waterfalls in a compact gorge system.

The hemlock-lined gorges and surrounding Pocono forest of Bushkill Falls support white-tailed deer, black bears, and a rich birdlife including the warblers, thrushes and woodpeckers of the deep hemlock forest, with the cool, moist gorges sheltering salamanders and the creek holding trout. The private land and surrounding Pocono forest provide habitat. While Bushkill Falls is visited primarily for its waterfalls, the hemlock gorges — particularly in spring, when warblers and other migratory birds move through the Poconos — offer good birding and wildlife watching amid the cascades.

Bushkill Falls protects a series of forested waterfall gorges — the hemlock-and-hardwood gorges of Bushkill Creek and its tributaries — in the Pocono Mountains, with the cool, moist gorge microclimate sustaining mosses, ferns, lichens and shade-loving plants beside the eight waterfalls, and the creek holding wild trout. The hemlock forest, which defines the gorges’ character, is threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid. As a long-stewarded private reserve, the gorges and forest have been maintained for more than a century. Protecting the hemlock forest, the creek’s water quality and the gorge habitats sustains the ecology and the natural beauty of the ‘Niagara of Pennsylvania.’

Bushkill Falls occupies a unique place in Pennsylvania’s natural and cultural heritage — a private waterfall attraction that has welcomed visitors for more than a century, earned the title ‘Niagara of Pennsylvania,’ and demonstrated that thoughtful private stewardship can protect and share natural wonders across generations. The Peters family’s century-plus custodianship of the gorges and falls is a story of private conservation in service to the public. Bushkill Falls is a cherished natural icon of the Pocono Mountains and of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Bushkill Falls is on Bushkill Creek in Pike County, in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, just off U.S. Route 209 in the community of Bushkill, about 25 miles north of the Delaware Water Gap and roughly 90 miles from New York City and Philadelphia. It is a private, for-admission attraction: an admission fee applies (check the Bushkill Falls website for current fees, which vary by season and trail loop). The attraction has a parking area, visitor facilities, picnic areas, and the trail network through the gorges. Open April through November; closed in winter. Check Bushkill Falls for hours, fees and conditions before visiting.

Bushkill Falls is privately owned and managed by the Peters family, who have stewarded the gorges and falls for more than a century. Visitors help by staying on the designated trails and boardwalks (never climbing on or near the slippery falls, which is dangerous and damages the fragile gorge), protecting the creek’s water quality, leaving plants and wildlife undisturbed, packing out all trash, and respecting the private property. The hemlock gorges (threatened by invasive insects) and the creek are sensitive. Supporting the admission-funded private conservation of Bushkill Falls sustains the gorges, the falls and the long-running stewardship that has protected this natural wonder for generations.

The gorge trails include boardwalks, bridges and steep steps beside the falls — wear sturdy, non-slip footwear (the boardwalks and steps near the falls are often wet and slippery), hold children’s hands, and never climb on or near the waterfalls (falls and drownings have occurred). The longer trail loops to all eight falls are moderately strenuous, with steep sections; carry water and pace yourself. The gorges stay cool even in summer — bring a layer for the mist. Respect the slippery wet surfaces, the steep gorge trails and the barrier fencing near the falls.

An admission fee applies; check the website for current prices and hours. The attraction is open April through November; closed in winter. Stay on designated trails and boardwalks; do not climb on or near the waterfalls. Do not enter the water. The longer trail loops require sturdy footwear. Pets are permitted (leashed) on some trails — check current pet rules. No climbing on barriers or fencing. Pack out all trash. Respect all posted rules and the guidance of staff. Check Bushkill Falls for current hours, fees, trail access and pet rules before visiting.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to the south (with the Dingmans Falls waterfalls just miles away on Route 209), the upper Delaware River towns (Milford, Matamoras), the Pocono Mountains resorts, and the broader Pocono plateau lie near Bushkill Falls. The Poconos and the upper Delaware define the region. Bushkill Falls is a centerpiece of the upper Pocono waterfall country, easily combined with the Dingmans Falls waterfalls and the Delaware Water Gap NRA, the Delaware River, the town of Milford and the Pocono resorts.

Take the longest loop trail that visits all eight waterfalls to see the full spectacle — it’s moderately strenuous but worth every step for the variety of gorges and cascades. The Main Falls is always the highlight (towering and thunderous in spring). Wear non-slip footwear (the boardwalks near the falls are wet and slippery). Come in spring for the fullest falls or fall for the spectacular foliage in the gorges — and arrive early in the morning on busy weekends. Pair your visit with the Dingmans Falls area of the Delaware Water Gap NRA just down Route 209.