Taconic State Park, NY
Bash Bish Falls State Park, MA

Hiking Trails:
South Taconic Trail: White blaze
Bash Bish Falls Trail: Unblazed
Iron Works Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 2:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.6 Miles

Pros: Good views, very scenic part of park
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KWxPyDj3N6fdaE9B8

Hiking Partners:
Yehudah Koblick

I went on a camping trip to Taconic State Park. It was my first time in the area, so we we went to explore the local area. We hiked from the campground to Bash Bish Falls, across the state line from New York into Massachusetts. (The mountain range extends into both states.)

We took the South Taconic Trail from the campground to the parking area for Bash Bish Falls, and took the Bash Bish Falls trail up to the falls. This is one of the most popular falls in the state of Massachusetts, as well as the state's tallest waterfalls. The falls are shortly after the state line, which is marked on the trail.

After reaching the falls area, we noticed the path down to the falls from the view was closed off. Apparently, during Covid, huge crowds descended to the falls area creating hazards so the park decided to close the path down to the falls. This is disappointing as this was a weekday that was less busy and there was no reason to have it closed while it was very quiet there.

We turned around after the falls and then crossed the brook at the falls parking area and went on the Iron Works Trail, which explores the history of this area. We passed the furnace and the house that has a museum of the area. We then continued back to the Quarry Lake and then back to our campsite.

Map of the Route

Trail from Campground

South Taconic Trail

Parking Lot by Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Brook

State Line of NY and Mass

Bash Bill Falls

 

Copake Iron Works  Signs

Sign by the Fri

Bash Bridge Brook from the Bridge

Information Plaque about Slag from the Mining

Rudd Pond