View source for Bash Bish Falls State Park

{{Short description|State park in Massachusetts, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox park
| name            = Bash Bish Falls State Park
| photo           = Bashbish 002.jpg
| photo_caption   = 
| photo_alt       = Waterfalls
| photo_width     = 280
| map             = USA Massachusetts#USA
| map_caption     = Location in Massachusetts
| map_width       = 280
| relief          = 1
| label           = Bash Bish Falls State Park
| location        = [[Mount Washington, Massachusetts]], United States
| nearest_city    = 
| coordinates     = {{coord|42|06|53|N|73|29|34|W|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref      = <ref name=gnis/>
| area            = {{convert|424|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name=2012acreagelist/>
| elevation       = {{convert|1132|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|607293|Bash Bish Falls}}</ref>
| established     = 1924<ref name=berkweb/>
| free_label      = 
| free_data       = 
| administrator   = [[Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation]]
| visitation_num  = 
| visitation_year =  
| visitation_ref  = 
| website         = {{Official website}}
| embedded        = 
}}
'''Bash Bish Falls State Park''' is a [[Massachusetts]] [[state park]] located in the [[New England town|town]] of [[Mount Washington, Massachusetts|Mount Washington]]. The park is named after [[Bash Bish Falls]], Massachusetts' highest single-drop [[waterfall]] ({{convert|60|ft}}),<ref name=dcr/> which lies within its borders. The park is managed by the [[Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)|Department of Conservation and Recreation]] and is one of several nature preserves in the extreme southwestern corner of Massachusetts noted for their scenery. It is adjacent to the {{convert|4000|acre|adj=on}} [[Mount Washington State Forest]], as well as New York's {{convert|5000|acre|adj=on}} [[Taconic State Park]].<ref name=dcr/>

Bash Bish State Park consists of numerous [[Canyon|gorges]] and an [[eastern hemlock]] ravine forest.<ref name=dcr/> The slopes around the waterfall are covered by forests of trees such as [[maple]], [[oak]], and [[beech]]. Wildlife includes the [[timber rattlesnake]], the [[peregrine falcon]], [[bobcat]]s, [[American black bear|black bear]]s, and [[porcupine]]s.<ref name=berkweb/>

==Activities and amenities==
The park's recreational opportunities include scenic viewing, hiking, and fishing. To ensure public safety entering the water, swimming and rock climbing are prohibited. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail and at the falls.  The falls can be reached via a moderately strenuous, half-mile, downhill trail.<ref name=newengland/> In all, there are three parking areas with trails of different lengths that provide access to the falls.<ref name=wwd/> The park is open from dawn to dusk.<ref name=dcr/>

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=2012acreagelist>{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/final-landscape-designations-list/download |title=2012 Acreage Listing |publisher=Department of Conservation and Recreation |date=April 2012 |access-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref>

<ref name=dcr>{{cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/locations/bash-bish-falls-state-park |title=Bash Bish Falls State Park |publisher=Department of Conservation and Recreation |date=2017-07-11 |access-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref>

<ref name=berkweb>{{cite web |url=http://www.berkshireweb.com/sports/parks/bash.html |title=Bash Bish Falls State Park |publisher=The BerkshireWeb |access-date=January 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115034813/http://www.berkshireweb.com/sports/parks/bash.html |archive-date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=newengland>{{cite web|url=http://www.newenglandwaterfalls.com/waterfall.php?name=Bash%20Bish%20Falls |title=Bash Bish Falls |publisher=NewEnglandWaterfalls.com |access-date=January 12, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name=wwd>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Bash-Bish-Falls-7359/ |title=Bash Bish Falls |publisher=World Waterfall Database |access-date=January 12, 2014}}</ref> 
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bash Bish Falls State Park}}
{{Portal|Massachusetts}}
*[https://www.mass.gov/locations/bash-bish-falls-state-park Bash Bish Falls State Park] Department of Conservation and Recreation
*[https://www.mass.gov/doc/mt-washington-state-forest-trail-map/download Mt. Washington State Forest Map] Department of Conservation and Recreation

{{Protected areas of Massachusetts}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1924 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Taconic Mountains]]
[[Category:State parks of Massachusetts]]
[[Category:State parks of the Appalachians]]
[[Category:Massachusetts natural resources]]
[[Category:Parks in Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Mount Washington, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1924]]