Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

Bushkill Falls is in the midst of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, but is privately owned and operated.

Charles E. Peters inherited this land and opened the falls to the public in 1904 for an entrance fee of ten cents. He called it the ‘Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania.’

The Peters family still owns the park and his estate carries on Charles’ mission to preserve the natural environment.  What began as one trail to the main falls is now a well maintained network of trails around all eight waterfalls on the property.

The eight falls are fed by two different streams: Little Bushkill Creek and Pond Run. They originate in the Poconos and the water is exceptionally pure.

The park sits on 300 acres and has over two miles of hiking trails, boardwalks and walkways. The main falls drops 100 feet into the canyon.

The last time we visited, we went with children and dogs, so we kept to the boardwalk trails along the main canyon and falls. These were fairly level and easy, except for the ascent back to the visitors center.

Location: 138 Bushkill Falls Trail, Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Designation: Privately owned Park
Date designated/established: 1904
Date of my visit: October 18, 2014