Bushkill Falls: $22 & 1,267 Stairs (Which Trail?)

Four trails, eight waterfalls, one admission. Here's which trail to do (and how to avoid the crowds).

By Oscar
The main, powerful drop of Bushkill Falls surrounded by wooden boardwalks and lush green foliage.

Key Takeaways

  • Navigation: Use the main entrance on Bushkill Falls Road (Google Maps | Apple Maps). GPS: 41.1171, -75.0069. Note: This is a private park with an admission fee.
  • Infrastructure: Expect well-maintained boardwalks, bridges, and stairs. This is one of the safest ways to see waterfalls in the Poconos.
  • Route Strategy: Choose the Red Trail for the full 8-waterfall loop. It is the only route that justifies the admission cost for serious hikers.
  • Crowd Warning: As “The Niagara of Pennsylvania,” expect heavy crowds on weekends. Arrive exactly at opening (9:00 AM) to experience the main falls in peace.
  • Dog Info: Dogs are allowed, but the steel grate stairs are hard on paw pads. Booties are highly recommended.

Bushkill Falls, often called the “Niagara of Pennsylvania,” costs $22 per adult. For that, you get access to four color-coded trails, eight Poconos waterfalls, and 1,267 wooden stairs.

The Green Trail takes 15 minutes and shows you one waterfall. The Red Trail takes 2.5 hours and shows you all eight.

Located at 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324, this privately owned attraction has been operating since 1904. For current trail conditions and user reviews, check AllTrails.

Main Falls at Bushkill Falls cascading 100 feet over sandstone ledge, viewed from upper overlook

Main Falls - the first waterfall you’ll see on all trails

Is It Worth the Admission?

What You’re Paying For

  • Access to all four trails (one admission covers all).
  • Eight waterfalls (if you do the Red Trail).
  • Well-maintained boardwalks, bridges, and stairs.
  • Amenities: snack bar, gift shop, mini-golf, paddle boats (extra cost).

The Honest Answer

If you are expecting waterfalls for free, you will be disappointed. The free state parks in the Poconos, including the Delaware Water Gap, offer comparable scenery without admission.

What Bushkill offers that free parks do not is infrastructure. The boardwalks, bridges, and stairs are maintained by a private operator. You are paying for access and safety.

The Red Trail is impressive. The Green Trail is a fifteen-minute overlook for $22.

The Four Trails (Which One Should You Do?)

Green Trail (The Quick Overlook)

  • Time: 15 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy (some steps, no sustained climbing)
  • Waterfalls: Main Falls overlook only
  • Verdict: Skip this unless you are truly mobility-limited. You are paying $22 for a fifteen-minute view from one platform.

Yellow Trail (The Right Call for Most Visitors)

  • Time: 45 minutes

  • Difficulty: Moderate (wooden stairs and boardwalks, no scrambling)

  • Waterfalls: Main Falls from top and base, Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen

  • Terrain: Maintained boardwalks and stairways throughout. Wet boards after rain are slippery. Shoes with good grip are essential.

  • Verdict: This is the sweet spot. You see the main attraction from multiple angles, add two more falls, and finish in under an hour without punishing your knees.

Blue Trail (The Quiet Extension)

  • Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Difficulty: Moderate to hard
  • Waterfalls: Pennell Falls
  • Note: Usually combined with Yellow for a fuller visit
  • Verdict: If you have done Yellow and have time left, add Blue. It is quieter and consistently less crowded than the main circuit. Pennell Falls is worth the extra mileage.

Red Trail (The Full Experience)

  • Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

  • Distance: ~2 miles

  • Difficulty: Hard. There are 1,267 stairs, steep descents, and narrow sections. The stair count is real. Your knees will know.

  • Waterfalls: All 8, including Bridal Veil Falls

  • Verdict: This is why you pay $22. If you are reasonably fit and have the time, do the Red Trail. Every other option is a partial experience.

Steep wooden stairs descending through forest on Bushkill Falls Red Trail

The Red Trail includes 1,267 stairs - bring your knees

Crowds & Timing (How to Avoid the Zoo)

When It’s Packed

  • Summer weekends (especially mid-day, 11 AM - 3 PM).
  • Narrow boardwalks bottleneck with crowds.

When to Go

  • Best: Weekdays, early morning (before 10 AM), or late afternoon (after 4 PM).
  • Worst: Saturday/Sunday mid-day.
Bridal Veil Falls at Bushkill Falls, accessible only via Red Trail

Bridal Veil Falls - one of eight waterfalls on the Red Trail

Parking & Logistics

Parking

  • Large free lots (included with admission).
  • Lots fill up on summer weekends. Arrive early to get a spot close to the entrance.

Amenities

  • Snack bar (burgers, fries, ice cream).
  • Gift shop (typical souvenir fare).
  • Mini-golf and paddle boats (require extra tickets).
  • Restrooms available near the entrance/exit.

Season

  • Open daily April through November.
  • Closed roughly December through March (weather dependent).

Dogs & Accessibility

Dog Policy

  • Dogs are allowed on all trails but must be on a leash.
  • Hazard Warning: The wooden stairs and metal grates can be tough on dog paws. Small dogs might need to be carried. Large dogs need to be comfortable on open-grate stairs.

Accessibility

  • The Green Trail is the most accessible (no steep climbs), but still involves some steps.
  • The Red Trail is absolutely not accessible (1,267 stairs, steep/narrow sections).

Photography Tips: Capturing Bushkill Falls

Boardwalk Platform Angles: The main falls drop is best captured from the platforms on the Red Trail where the viewing area is open. Use a wide-angle lens (16-35mm) to capture the full cascade and surrounding vegetation. Early morning light (before 10 AM) provides better color saturation than midday sun.

Bridal Veil Falls Intimacy: This falls is more delicate than the main drop. Shoot with a slightly longer focal length (35-50mm) to isolate the cascade from the surrounding forest. A circular polarizer reduces glare off wet boardwalks and intensifies water flow.

Overcast Advantage: Unlike open sky settings, the boardwalk sections are surrounded by tall trees. Overcast light is superior to direct sun:it provides even exposure across white water and dark boardwalks without the harsh shadows that midday sun creates in a narrow gorge.

Water Motion Technique: If you want silky, blurred water motion, bring a tripod and use 1-2 second exposures with an ND filter in daylight. For frozen water detail, use 1/125s or faster shutter speeds. ISO 100-200 minimizes noise on the clean boardwalk backgrounds.

Stairway Composition: The 1,267 stairs are themselves photogenic. Use them as leading lines in your composition. Shoot from above looking down on switchbacks or from below looking up to show the scale of the descent.

Wet Gear Management: The spray from larger falls reaches camera gear. Bring a microfiber lens cloth and a waterproof camera bag. The moisture is constant, not just at the falls base.

What to Bring

Essentials

  • Water: No water fountains on the trails themselves.
  • Closed-toe shoes with grip: Use sneakers or hiking boots. The wooden stairs are slippery when wet. Flip-flops are dangerous on wet grated stairs.
  • Camera: The falls photograph well from the boardwalk platforms. Early morning and overcast light are better than midday sun for waterfall shots.
  • Tick kit: The wooded sections between boardwalks have tick activity from April through October. Check after hiking. Dogs especially.
Color-coded trail map showing Green, Yellow, Blue, and Red trails at Bushkill Falls

Trail map showing all four color-coded routes

FAQ

How much does Bushkill Falls cost? $22 for adults (11–61), $20 for seniors (62+), $12 for kids (4–10), free for kids under 3 (2026 pricing).

Which trail should I do? Yellow Trail (45 min, moderate) is the right call for most visitors. Red Trail (2.5 hours, hard) is the full experience if you have the time and the knees for 1,267 stairs.

Are dogs allowed? Yes, on a leash. The metal grate stairs can be difficult for dogs with sensitive paws.

When should I go to avoid crowds? Weekdays. On weekends, arrive before 10 AM or after 4 PM. The boardwalks bottleneck badly between 11 AM and 3 PM on summer Saturdays.

Is it open in winter? No. It closes in November and reopens in April. Exact dates vary by weather. Check visitbushkillfalls.com before making the drive.

Is it worth $22? If you do the Red Trail, yes. All eight falls over two miles is a good experience. If you only do the Green Trail, you are paying $22 for one overlook.

How does it compare to free Poconos alternatives? Ricketts Glen has 21 named waterfalls on a 7.2-mile loop. It costs nothing and is harder but more rewarding. Hawk Falls in Hickory Run is a free 1.2-mile walk to a 25-foot waterfall. Bushkill’s advantage is infrastructure like maintained boardwalks and clear paths.