The “Niagara of Pennsylvania” Crashes 300 Feet Down Through Ancient Hemlock Forests

Bushkill Falls, Pennsylvania

Most people think of steel mills and cheesesteaks when Pennsylvania comes up.

But tucked away in the Pocono Mountains, Bushkill Falls has been quietly drawing nature lovers since the 1800s. The main waterfall towers above visitors while smaller cascades hide throughout the forest.

Here’s what makes this corner of Pennsylvania worth the trek.

The Peters Family Story

Charles E. Peters first opened this natural wonder to the public in 1904. He built the first path and swinging bridge in 1904, then kept adding more trails and bridges his whole life.

The Peters family owned the falls for over 100 years. Aramark started running the place for the Peters family in 1995, then bought Bushkill Falls completely in 2023.

Waters From Two Mountain Streams

Two separate waterways create the cascades at Bushkill Falls. Little Bushkill Creek starts in the highlands of Pike County, flowing through five of the eight waterfalls in the park.

These two streams power different waterfalls before joining up past the Lower Gorge.

The mixed water keeps flowing as Big Bushkill Creek through Bushkill village, then goes to the Delaware River.

The Biggest Waterfall

Main Falls drops exactly 100 feet straight down, making it the tallest of all eight waterfalls. The falling water makes a deep pool surrounded by ferns, moss, and wildflowers at the bottom.

From the top of Main Falls to the bottom of Lower Gorge, water falls 300 feet total.

A viewing deck gives clear views of the whole waterfall, showing off its power and beauty.

Wedding-Themed Waterfalls

Pond Run Creek powers three romantic waterfalls named for how misty they look.

Bridal Veil Falls looks like a wedding veil with its thin waterfall, while two Bridesmaid’s Falls finish the wedding theme. Upper Bridesmaid’s Falls flows through a stone gap.

Lower Gorge Falls and Rocky Walls

After Main Falls drops 100 feet, Little Bushkill Creek keeps going through Lower Gorge Falls, falling another 70 feet in smaller waterfalls. Rocky walls made by thousands of years of flowing water create the Upper Canyon and Laurel Glen.

Pennell Falls Upstream

Pennell Falls is the first big waterfall hikers see when walking up Little Bushkill Creek. The Red Trail crosses right over Pennell Falls on a special bridge, giving views from above.

Both the Blue Trail and Red Trail go to Pennell Falls. The Blue Trail takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes there and back, making it good for people who want something in between.

Wooden Walkways Everywhere

Peters’ first single wooden bridge from 1904 grew into a huge system of wooden walkways.

Today’s boardwalks have stairs, bridges, and platforms built right into the cliff sides, making the steep ground safe to walk on.

The Red Trail alone has 1247 steps. These wooden paths are needed because the cliff sides are too steep for normal trails, letting people visit safely while protecting nature.

Forest Life Around the Falls

Hemlock and pine trees cover most of the area, mixed with oak, maple, beech, and birch trees.

Tannin from these trees makes the water brown and creates natural foam as water flows over roots and fallen wood.

Animals include black bears, white-tail deer, bobcats, foxes, and lots of birds. The Pennsylvania Wildlife display near the entrance shows local animals and explains the forest’s many different types of life.

Native American History

The Lenape tribe lived in the Pocono area for over 10,000 years.

Their name means “the original people,” and they named this place—”Pocono” means “a river between two mountains” in their language.

The Wolf Clan Lenape, called Munsee or Minsi, lived in Monroe County as “People of the Stony Country.” The Native American display shows a full-size longhouse with cooking tools and hunting gear.

Four Different Walking Trails

The Green Trail takes 15 minutes to walk to Main Falls with some steps but no climbing. The Yellow Trail takes 45 minutes and adds Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, and Upper Canyon views.

The Blue Trail takes 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes Pennell Falls. The Red Trail gives you everything—a 1.4-mile loop taking 47 minutes to 2 hours, going past all eight waterfalls.

Visiting Bushkill Falls

Bushkill Falls welcomes visitors at 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, PA 18324. The park opens from April through November and closes December through March due to icy winter conditions.

Beyond the waterfalls, other attractions include the Wildlife Exhibit, Native American Exhibit, and the Story of Bushkill Falls Exhibit showing the site’s history since 1904.

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