Best Time to Visit Massachusetts Waterfalls
Spring usually brings the strongest flow after snowmelt and spring rain. Summer can be the friendliest window for careful wading when flows ease and access is drier.
Fall trades peak flow for color and cooler air. Winter ice can be beautiful and dangerous, with limited traction and shorter days. For a Berkshire-heavy day list, pair this page with Berkshires waterfalls.
Rank 1: Bash Bish Falls — Mount Washington / Copake Falls area
State's signature twin waterfall on the MA / NY line in Mount Washington. DCR Bash Bish Falls State Park; no swimming, no…
- Walk
- 20 min down, 30 min up
Rank 2: Race Brook Falls — Sheffield
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Multi-tiered Race Brook cascade in Mount Everett Reservation, Sheffield. Route 41 trailhead; ~0.5 mi to lower falls, ~2 mi…
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 60 min
Rank 3: Glendale Falls — Pittsfield area
Viewing only, not a swim stop
~160-ft multi-tier cascade on Glendale Brook in Middlefield. Trustees reservation, ~7-car lot on Clark Wright Road (Middlefield, Massachusetts).
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 15 min
Rank 4: Wahconah Falls — Dalton
Viewing only, not a swim stop
DCR day-use park in Dalton with a strong single-drop cascade. Short walk from the lot to the overlook and base pool —…
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 5 min
Rank 5: Umpachene Falls — New Marlborough
Town-owned falls park in New Marlborough with a river-pool swim above the tiered cascade. Day-use hours; non-resident fee in…
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 2 min
Rank 6: Doane's Falls — Royalston
Trustees' Doane's Falls in Royalston: dramatic drops on Lawrence Brook. Swimming prohibited — viewing only.
- Walk
- 15 min
Rank 7: Tannery Falls — Savoy
Viewing only, not a swim stop
~50-foot ribbon drop on Ross Brook in Savoy Mountain State Forest. Short steep trail from Tannery Road; paired with Parker….
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 25 min
Rank 8: Royalston Falls — Royalston area
Viewing only, not a swim stop
45-ft plunge on Falls Brook in Trustees' Royalston Falls Reservation. Reached via the Tully Trail / New England Trail.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min
Rank 9: Trap Falls — Ashby
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Small rocky cascade on Trapfall Brook, off Route 119 in Willard Brook State Forest. Short walk from the DCR lot.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 5 min
Rank 10: Chapel Falls (Chapel Brook Reservation) — Ashfield
Viewing only, not a swim stop
Short Trustees trail in Ashfield to a tiered hemlock-shaded cascade. Half-mile round trip; no swim.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 10 min