Things to Do in Bushkill Falls | Trails, Tickets, Tips

Bushkill Falls is mainly a trail day: see eight waterfalls, choose a short or full gorge loop, then add mining, fishing, or a picnic.

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A good Bushkill Falls plan treats Things to Do in Bushkill Falls as a trail-first decision: the 15-minute Main Falls view and the over-two-hour Red Trail are not the same kind of day. Pick the route before you add the extras, because stairs, mud, and crowds shape the visit more than the map makes obvious.

Bushkill Falls is a privately owned Pocono Mountains attraction in Bushkill, Pennsylvania, not a state park hike. Admission covers parking and the waterfall trail network, and the property normally closes from December through March, with April and November depending on weather.

Set ticket expectations first, then choose the trail that matches your group:

How Long Do You Need At Bushkill Falls?

Bushkill Falls works as a two-hour stop for a Main Falls visit or a half-day outing if you hike one of the longer loops. A full day makes sense only when you add the Red Trail, lunch, and one or two paid activities.

For most first-time visitors, plan three to four hours at the property. That gives you enough time to park, get through the entrance, walk the Green or Yellow Trail, take photos without rushing, and use the snack bar or picnic area after the trail.

Families with young kids usually do better with the Green Trail or Yellow Trail. Strong hikers who came for the full waterfall system should budget more than two hours for the Red Trail alone, then add time for breaks because the gorge has many steps and narrow boardwalk sections.

Pick Your Trail By Time And Stairs

Bushkill Falls trail choice matters because the Green Trail and Red Trail are very different days. The official trail descriptions list four marked routes, and every route involves at least some steps.

• Green Trail: a 15-minute walk to the Main Falls view with steps but no climbing.
• Yellow Trail: a 45-minute route that adds Lower Gorge Falls, Laurel Glen, and Upper Canyon.
• Blue Trail: about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with access to Pennell Falls.
• Red Trail: almost 2 miles, more than two hours, and the only route that covers all eight waterfalls.

The Red Trail is the right call if the waterfall circuit is the whole reason you came. The Yellow Trail is the safer middle choice when the group has mixed fitness levels or limited time.

Bushkill Falls Activities: What To Do After The Main View

Bushkill Falls has more to do than one overlook, but the strongest plan still starts with the falls. Add extras only after you know how much energy the trail will take.

Bushkill’s in-park add-ons are simple; if you want a planned Pocono outing around the waterfalls, compare nearby activities before choosing your date:

What Should You Know Before Buying Tickets?

Bushkill Falls tickets are paid admission, and the smaller activities cost extra. The park lists current general admission at $22, seniors and active military at $20, children ages 4 to 10 at $12, and ages 3 and under free on the official Bushkill Falls admission fees page.

Admission includes parking. Onsite ticket windows are cashless, and the park says credit cards and touchless card payments are accepted at the windows. Fishing does not require a state fishing license on the ponds, but the park permit still costs $7.

The most useful timing move is to avoid the middle of a warm Saturday if you can. The narrow stairways and observation decks feel tighter when several groups reach the same viewpoint at once, so early arrival pays off more than any special route trick.

Access note: Bushkill Falls trails are not wheelchair-accessible or stroller-friendly. Stairs, rocks, roots, and wet boards are part of the visit, so shoes with grip matter.

Where To Stay Near Bushkill Falls For A Better Day

Bushkill Falls is easier when you sleep close enough to arrive near opening, especially on summer weekends. Bushkill, Delaware Water Gap, Stroudsburg, and East Stroudsburg all work better than a rushed same-day drive from New York City or Philadelphia.

For the least backtracking, look for a stay near Route 209 or the Delaware Water Gap side of the Poconos. That puts the falls, nearby trailheads, and casual dinner options within a manageable drive.

Use a map view before choosing a room, because a cheap-looking Pocono stay can sit farther from Bushkill Falls than the mileage first suggests:

A One-Day Bushkill Falls Plan

A Bushkill Falls day should start with the trail, then add one or two extras only if your group still has energy. The best version is simple: arrive early, hike before lunch, then use the afternoon for a low-pressure add-on.

1. Arrive close to opening. Scan tickets, use the restroom, and enter the trail before the boardwalks fill.
2. Choose the Yellow Trail for balance. The Yellow Trail gives most visitors enough gorge scenery without committing to the full Red Trail.
3. Choose the Red Trail for the full waterfall circuit. The Red Trail is the pick for hikers who want all eight falls and do not mind more than two hours of stairs.
4. Eat after the trail. Use the snack bar or picnic areas near the parking area rather than trying to make the trail itself a lunch stop.
5. Add one family activity. Mining for gemstones, Map Adventure, paddleboats, or fishing works better than stacking several paid extras.

For a short visit, do the Green Trail and Main Falls overlook, then leave. For a better half-day, take the Yellow Trail and add one easy activity. For the full Bushkill Falls experience, hike the Red Trail, rest, then finish with a snack or a quiet stop at Twin Lakes.