Waterfalls & Swimming Holes From Great Barrington & South Berkshire
Great Barrington is the easiest southern Berkshire base for this kind of day. The strongest stops here mix classic falls with a couple of lake and pond options that work well when you want a slower second half to the trip.
Use the map to see how tightly the best stops fit together, then open each guide for parking, footing, and whether the water is better for a real swim or a shorter cool-off. For a wider Berkshire sweep, see waterfalls in the Berkshires.
Rank 1: Bash Bish Falls — Great Barrington / 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… (Mount Washington,…
- Walk
- 20 min down, 30 min up
Rank 2: 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 3: 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 4: Campbell Falls — New Marlborough
Viewing only, not a swim stop
50-ft cross-border cascade on the Whiting River in New Marlborough, MA / Norfolk, CT. Short trail to overlook.
- Can you swim?
- No swimming. View only
- Walk
- 30 min round trip
Rank 5: Beartown State Forest - Benedict Pond — Monterey
DCR swim pond in Beartown State Forest, Monterey. Small sandy beach, 1.7-mile loop, Appalachian Trail at the Ledges.
- Can you swim?
- Swimming allowed when posted rules and staffing say it is open
- Walk
- 1 hr loop
Rank 6: Sandisfield State Forest - York Lake — New Marlborough
Small DCR swim pond at Sandisfield State Forest in New Marlborough. Sand beach, picnic tables, non-motor paddle; no…
- Walk
- 2 min