September 7, 2012 ---- It was a nice, sunny day, and we were itching for a hike. I have found many interesting natural places in Pennsylvania, and because I am a waterfall-lover, we decided to go to Bushkill Falls.
Bushkill Falls has been named the Niagara of Pennsylvania, and it is about two and a half hours driving there from Lancaster. It seems to be a private business in a protected land, and the entrance fee is $11 per person (adult).
Nathan and I got to the park around 12:30 p.m., and because they don't allow food in the park, we just ate our lunch at the picnic area close to the parking lot. There are also some gift shops, snack shops, restrooms, and a museum around the parking lot.
At the ticket and the entrance area, there is an exhibits about wildlife in the park. Once you buy the ticket, you will get the park map or trail map. There are a total of 4 trails divided by colors. The longest one is the red trail that takes you to the gorgeous Bridalveil Falls and many others. They kind of over-rate the red trail as only for serious hikers. I would say that anyone can walk on this trail if you can walk and don't have any serious medical problem. All the trails are extremely well maintained, and you will walk on broad walkways on most parts of the trails. Each trail also has color tags on the trees along the trail, so if you decide to do the red trail, just follow the red tags on the trees.
Nathan and I decided to walked on the red and yellow trails to see most of the park.
Laurel Glen
Laurel Glen is listed as site number 13 in the park. It's right at the beginning of most trails. Here you will be standing over the Main Falls and see a strenuous flow of water to go downstream. On our visit, the water was kind of brownish but not smelly. The broad walkways are all very strong and stable, and they really enhanced our experience at the falls.
Red Trail and Delaware Valley Lookout
Delaware Valley Lookout is listed as site number 11 in the park. Quite many people took the red trail when we were visiting the falls. It has some flights of steps that might be difficult for some people, but generally it's pretty easy to hike on. There are benches along the trail if you feel tired and need a rest. This trail also has a lot of shade, and you will feel very relaxed and enjoy the forest...
Bridesmaid's Falls (upper)
Bridesmaid's Falls is listed as site number 10 in the park. It's very beautiful and has a small pond under the falls. The water is crystal clear. You are not allowed to swim in any falls in the park, but you will find people swim anyway...
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is listed as site number 9 in the park. This is the most beautiful fall in the park. You can get to the fall only if you hike on the red trail. The water is very clear, and the flow is pretty strong. This is definitely my favorite fall in the entire park.
Bridesmaid's Falls (lower)
Bridesmaid's Falls (lower) is listed as site number 8 in the park. It is small but beautiful...
Pond Run Creek and Bridal Veil Falls Trail
Pond Run Creek is a very nice, big creek that flows along the Bridal Veil Falls Trail or the red trail. The water is clear and strong, and we saw some people swimming in the creek. Some parts of the trail can be difficult to walk on because of a lot of big, uneven rocks and trees' roots.
Lower Gorge Falls and The Bridge
Lower Gorge Falls is listed as sites number 5, 6 and 7 in the park. The water here was kind of brownish and was flowing VERY strong.
Bottom of Main Falls
Bottom of Main Falls is listed as site number 4 in the park. It is the major tourist spot of the park. From here you can see the Main Falls streaming down strongly. You can also get wet from the wind that blows the water toward you on the bridge.
Top of Main Falls
Top of Main Falls is listed as site number 3 in the park. You can get the best view of the Main Falls here.
Adams Flats and Little Bushkill Creek
Adam Flats is listed as site number 15 in the park. It's relatively easy to walk along the flat trail here. The water in the Bushkill Creek flows toward the falls and creates the Main Falls.
Pennell Falls
Pennell Falls is listed as site number 17 in the park. It isn't a very tall waterfall, but the water was flowing really strong when we were there. This is the end of the flat trail, and after you cross the creek to continue on the red trail, it will be a little climb uphill and you will walk through the forest to Bridal Veil Falls. Nathan and I just decided to turn around here because we already walked in the forest on the other end and there wasn't much else to see if we continued on the trail.
Upper Canyon
Upper Canyon is listed as site number 14 in the park. It is like walking on the boardwalks the whole way crossing the creek . This brought us back to Laurel Glen (site#13) where we started our hike.
Bushkill Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have been to. It's a very joyful park, and the hike wasn't difficult at all. I would love to come back here in the fall when the leaves change colors. It's really worth the $11 entrance fee. :-)