Pennsylvania: Hiking Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls is known as “The Niagara of Pennsylvania” and while this may be a bit of an overstatement, it in no way diminishes the beauty and the appeal of this area. The drive to get there along the Delaware Water Gap is quite scenic.
Bushkill is a beautiful place to spend a relaxing day communing with nature. 

Communing does not come cheap, however, the entrance fee is $16.50 for adults and $8.50 for children 4-12. Some additional charges may apply depending on what you want to do while you are there. The official tour guide is $3.

You enter through a small museum, which tells you about the wildlife in the area. You go through displays of stuffed animals, flora and fauna. It’s a warm-up for what is to come.

The area is divided into colored hiking trails that offer varying degrees of difficulty. The most popular trail takes 45 minutes to hike and leads you past the Main Falls. 

The problem the day we were there was that a tree had fallen and blocked that path right past the falls, we walked to the falls on that trail and then had to backtrack to change to another trail. The trails that we took (green to yellow then red) are also the easiest route but be warned, going this way involves climbing many steep wooden stairs. If you want to see the falls, this is the only way.  

I have arthritic knees but I was able to navigate the area with a minimal amount of pain. The view at the falls certainly made it worthwhile. Don’t be fooled, however, Niagara Falls this isn’t. But the wonderful sylvan setting and the lack of immense crowds certainly made up for the lack of water volume.

If you are up for a more strenuous hike, take the blue or red trail to Bridal Veil Falls.

We spent about two hours wandering with the kids through the woods and along the streams. It was relaxing and enervating at the same time. Be warned, mid-week this place is quiet, on a weekend and especially a holiday weekend, you will not be able to find parking or even get into the park.

The roads in this area cannot accommodate the amount of traffic that this attraction generates and you can be stuck in traffic jams that will make you think you are still in the big city. Bushkill Falls is a very popular place with residents and visitors and I am confident you will enjoy it as well.