Nice walk to a spectacular falls but with NO SWIMMING enforced in all locations below the falls. The apparent place to swim is above the falls - there are several very nice, family-safe swimmable pools in the creek above the falls. There are signs at the top of the falls warning you not to approach too near the top; be sure to swim upstream of these signs so as not to get too close to the top of the falls.

The falls are right on the MA/NY state line and there is parking and access from both NY and MA. The easiest access to the falls themselves is from the NY parking area. About the only way to get to the pools above the falls is from the MA parking area. You can get to both of these parking areas from either MA or NY. See directions below.

There is developed camping on the NY side in Copake Falls NY - Taconic State Park. (There is swimming here also in a water-filled quarry - roped off area with diving platform and lifeguards - $6.00 for day-use swimming.)

There is no developed camping on the MA side, but here is what a frequent camper there says (see the "LOCAL AREA MAP" above), "As for nearby camping, the 1 mi. hike (from Mt. Washington state forest HQ, which is on the MA side) to the Ashley brook primitive camp sites is easy, and the camping is fabulous. These are state approved and designated primitive camp sites with outhouse toilets. I've often camped here... and then continued on to the summit (Alander Mtn) the next day (another 1 mi.) and cruised north along the ridge on the South Taconic trail (another 3 mi.) to the Bash Bish gorge for a swim at the pools above the main falls and then jogged back along the road (4 mi.) back to the SF HQ to get my car and return for my family. Great loop that has it all... good camping... best in MA summit views... great swimming. I've camped all over southern NE... and this loop rates tops on my list". Hey, you can't get a more enthusiastic endorsement than that!

Bash Bish is in southeast MA right at the border between MA and NY. It can be accessed from MA or NY:

From MA: From Great Barrington (MA), take RT 23 west to Egremont, then take RT 41 south then make an immediate right (west) onto Mt. Washington Rd. and follow signs from there to parking area for Bash-Bish Falls. Park in the parking lot for the falls (this is above the falls). From the parking lot, if you walk to the right, you will descend steeply .5 mile to the base of Bash Bish falls. No swimming there! But instead, if you leave the parking lot to the left, it is a very short walk to the creek above the falls and several swimming holes. There are signs at the top of the falls warningyou not to approach too near the top; be sure to swim upstream of these signs so as not to get too close to the top of the falls.

If you continue to drive on past this parking area, you will go into NY and be on RT 344 and come to the NY parking area. See below.

From NY: From Copake Falls (NY) on RT 22 (in Taconic State Park), take RT 344 east a short distance to the (signed) Bash Bish Falls parking area. Park and hike up .6 mile long (easy) trail to falls. There is no swimming anywhere below the falls and this is enforced. It is very difficult to get to the top of the falls from the bottom. You can get to the MA parking area at the top from the NY side - just continue to drive up RT 344 and you will enter MA and come to the MA parking area on the right.

Link to Google Map

A commonly known local swimming hole tucked into the side of the Bellevue Cemetery in Adams. Just below the main falls is a smaller set of falls that would be fun to play in. Upstream of the main falls is an interesting area of the river to explore.

From the intersection of RT 8 and RT 116 in the center of Adams, travel south on RT 8 for 0.7 miles and take a left onto Leonard St. Follow Leonard St. for 0.2 miles and turn right onto Bellevue Avenue and enter the Bellevue Cemetery. Take every right hand turn while on the cemetery road and park at a small parking area beside the picket type fence PHOTO2. Follow the well worn path down the hill to the main swimming area

This pool is in the town of Sandisfield in the Buck River. The pool is small, about 50 ft long and 30 wide, with the deep swimming area being half of that. The hole is about 7 ft deep and, looking upstream, is bordered by RT 57 on the right and scenic 30 ft cliffs on the left. At the top of the pool is a 12 foot slide-style waterfall whose rocks are very slick.  There are lots of rocks to sit out on - very scenic but very near the road, so there is little privacy.  There is another pool upstream fifty yards below another water fall, this one about has a 6 foot slide that is nice for sitting in as it is only a few feet deep.

From New Boston take RT 57 west to Sandisfield . The hole is located on the south side of RT 57 between the town post office and the town hall - a distance of about a half of a mile. The small parking area is on the north side of the road, just after you cross the bridge over the Buck River. The land on this side of the road is conservancy land so parking is legal. It is likely that the swimming hole itself is  located in the same conservancy land. The hole is located about 20-30 yards above the parking area and is directly off the road.

From Northampton, take RT 9 northwest (past "ORANGE DAM" swimming hole) then RT 143 west to West Chesterfield (Between Chesterfield and Worthington. See also "GLENDALE FALLS" swimming hole in Worthington.). In West Chesterfield, turn south (left) on Ireland St. (or is it River Rd.?) then on Ireland St. Go about 1.5 miles (total, from RT 143) to a brown house (said to often have underwear on the line!) and turn left down a dirt road immediately after this house. At the end of the dirt road is a parking area. Park and walk to swimming place in river.

Deep, small cool (but not cold) pond in river with wide sandy beach. Several smaller beaches nearby on river. Comments from a visitor: "The pool is small, but the current is usually just right to swim against. It attracts an overwhelmingly gay crowd. Reports of sexual activity have led to severe restrictions on parking at the closest place on Route 9."

From Northampton, take RT 9 west to Cummington. About 1 mile west of the Cummington town sign, you will see a rest area on the left. This is the closest parking to the swimming place but they have restricted parking here to 30 minutes to discourage swimming here.

If you continue on another.5 miles, there is another parking area on the left. This place is not as convenient but there is no time limit here so this is the place to park if it is not too crowded (which it sometimes is). From here, walk down to the river, then walk to the left (downstream) along the rocky bank, then wade across to other side at a location where there is usually a rope or string. Go into the woods on a well traveled trail and continue generally south through the woods. (Trails diverge but generally come together again.) Where the trail forks, go left to the main beach. About a .5 mile walk total.

From Springfield, take I-90 (Mass. Pike) east to Exit 8. Take RT 32 south to RT 20 east. Go right on Monson Rd., left on Dean Pond Rd. and follow signs to Dean Pond.

From Northampton, take RT 9 through Williamsburg and keep going until you see "Old Goshen Road" on right. Go up it, being careful to take left fork when you have a choice (still Old Goshen but not well marked) (other is Hemenway.) Road turns to dirt. This is the hard part: you're looking for a sort of indent in the road, maybe with tire tracks, maybe about two cars big. Cram car to side of road and walk to the north (right) about .2 of a mile to Devil's Den. Probably you can get directions in town at Country Store.

A series of falls, several with pools at the bottom. After the most recent drowning at the Falls two years ago, The Trustees of Reservations has placed a ban on all swimming, wading and diving at Doane�s Falls. Here is a link to further info : Doane's Falls

From the intersection of Routes 2A and 32 in Athol, cross Miller's River Bridge and bear right onto Chestnut Hill Avenue (becomes Athol Road) traveling north towards Royalston. Proceed 4 mi. Entrance is on the left immediately after stone bridge at intersection with Doane Hill Road. Parking for 3 cars, plus limited road-side parking permitted. To Coddings Meadow at Lawrence Brook, look to right for gated woods road off Athol Road just before stone bridge.

Link to Google Map

Follow RT 6 East (direction of travel is north) into Wellfleet. Look for signs for Cahoon Hollow beach. Take a right on to Cahoon Hollow Rd. Follow Cahoon Hollow Rd for exactly 1.0 miles to a dirt road on the right, just before the guard rail. From this point, Duck Pond is approximately 0.75 miles south on this dirt road. A short distance down this dirt road, there is a place to park. The road gets very narrow, though the surface is quite good for a dirt road. Suggest that you use the LAT\LON measurement shown above as a starting point. The pond is about 0.20 miles directly east of these coordinates.

NOTE: THIS SWIMMING HOLE HAS BEEN CLOSED BY THE TOWN. GLACIAL POTHOLES ACCESS IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE The Shelburne Selectboard, responding to an escalation in the number and severity of injuries (four serious injuries in two weeks) at the Glacial Potholes, has voted to close town-owned access to the area until further notice. Visitors to town are advised that there is no other appropriate way to enter this area. The viewing area for this intriguing landmark remains open.

Complicated directions but worth the effort. From Pittsfield take Rt. 9 east to Dalton then Rt. 8 south. Near Hinsdale, take Rt. 143 east about 8 miles through Peru to West Worthington. There, after you pass over the Middle Branch of the Westfield River, take a right on the road that parallels the river (sign says "River Road"). Proceed down this road 5.6 miles (but not as far as the cutoff to Middlefield) over many small bridges. At 5.6 miles you will cross over a small bridge with a concrete abutment that says "1990", this is Glendale Brook. Take a right on the road just after this bridge, which follows the brook. This road climbs up and in less than a mile you will reach the sign for Glendale Falls and a parking area.

Another approach is from Northampton, from the east: take RT 9 west (past "ORANGE DAM" swimming hole) to RT 112 south through Worthington to RT 143 west then turn left onto River Rd. and proceed as above.

From RT 2A in downtown Greenfield, heading west:

GREEN RIVER [GRER]: Long-standing local swimming place in Green River near Greenfield. Unofficial place. Here is a description from a frequent user: "This site has been used nude for decades and bears the local nick-name of "Bear Ass Beach" as a grizzled old fisherman told us as he walked through with his grand daughter. As for nude use, it seems whoever arrives first sets the tone. If you wish to swim nude and clothing seems to be the order of the day, follow the river downstream for 5 minutes to the rocky beach or the right just out of sight of the dam and doff your suit. Clothing tends to be more optional on weekends. Very Confident. Not verified. Updated 5/22/2007. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.65139, Lon=-72.621 (Source: Topozone ) (Accuracy: Approximate) Link to Google Map

From Interstate 91
1. Exit I-91 South at Greenfield exit 26.
2. In the traffic circle, exit onto highway 2 West.
3. Go 300 ft and turn right onto Colrain Road.
4. Follow Colrain Road 0.65 mi to I believe a stop sign. Turn left to continue on Colrain Road.
5. Continue on Colrain Road for 1.64 mi and turn right onto Plain Road.
6. Follow Plain Road and at some point it will turn into Green River Road.
7. Continue to follow Green River Road past Eunice Williams Drive. Eunice Williams Drive leads to a covered bridge over the Green River, however, it is reported that the road is washed out and you cannot access the bridge.  After 0.5 miles, look for a fairly wide, dirt trail on the right snaking down to the river. DO NOT attempt this trail without a 4 wheel drive vehicle. If you do not have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, pull over to the side of road (where there's room) near where dirt trail begins and park and walk down to river.

GREENFIELD BEACH [GREB]: The official town recreation area for swimming in the Green River near Greenfield. Folks in town call it 'the swimming pool". Bathing suits required. It gets very crowded on hot days. Very Confident. Not verified. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.60536, Lon=-72.61839(Source: DeLorme) (Accuracy: approximate)  To get there: Continue west on RT 2A through downtown Greenfield past where it crosses I-91 and becomes RT 2. Take an immediate right (north) after the rotary onto Colrain Rd. Go past Greenfield Community College, in about .5 mile turn right onto Nash's Mill Rd. and the swimming area will be on your left.   Link to Google Map

Road Trip Dip

HOLE ONE [HOL1] : Popular river swimming hole. I received this description from a local user: "This place is a local swimming-hole institution, with everything from small kids (nearer to the road) to the handful of nudists (farther down river). True, it can get busy on a hot weekend afternoon. One side is a farm field with no visible barn for a mile or so, and the other side is owned by a kindly older man who comes down to the river himself, even providing a garbage can for self-cleanup. And if you go later in the day (eve) it tends to be quite bucolic, especially the farther down river (away from the road) you get'. A reader has e-mailed me saying that is site is now closed to the public. I visited the site personally in October 2003 and found that the town was testing the water for e-coli and posting the results on signposts near the parking area indicating if it was safe to swim there or not. This leads me to believe that this site is open to the public. Please be careful an read any postings made by the town and treat this special place gently so that all may enjoy its beauty. Very Confident. Verified. Updated 12/06/2003. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.18946, Lon=-73.38346 (Source: Measured ) (Accuracy: Exact)                                  Link to Google Map

HOLE TWO [HOL2] : The river here is clean and cool and draws a mixed crowd type of people, college kids in spring and fall. Since the closure of the Hurlburt Rd. the size of the crowd has been cut down substantially to a handful on weekends. Some nudity especially down a path to the left where there is deeper water. Somewhat confident. Not Verified. Updated 12/06/03 LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat= 42.18919  , Lon=-73.38474    Source: Map Point Accuracy: Exact Link to Google Map

HOLE ONE [HOL1] : From the intersection of RT 23 and RT 7 in Great Barrington, head west on RT 23 (toward S. Egremont) about 1 mile only. There's a big open field with cows on the north side of the road, and a big cornfield on the south side. MANY cars are parked on both sides of the road in the summer, so it's easy to find. If you cross the little bridge on RT 23 you've gone too far (the bridge crosses the Green River). The paths (on the south/cornfield) side of the road meander along the river. The farther you take them downstream (away from the road) the more secluded it gets, and the more it becomes distinctly clothing optional.

HOLE TWO [HOL2] : From RT 7 in the center of Great Barrington, turn onto Castle St. There are several jogs and turns on this road. You will reach a 4 way intersection with Taconic Ave on your left, Alford Rd on your right and Berkshire Heights Rd directly across the intersection. Turn right into Alford Rd and after a short stretch, bear left onto Haley Rd. At the top of the hill Highland Dr. goes to the left but go straight another 500' on Haley Rd to a gate on your left park; here beyond the gate.  The road going through to Hurlburt Rd. is now closed by a landowner. Hike through the gate and follow the road 3/4 mile to a bend where there is a mowed lawn and the river. The land is owned and protected by the town.

Link to Google Map

Clearwater pond in an undeveloped state park.

Follow RT 6 to exit 11. Follow RT 137 south for approximately 0.25 miles then take a right on to Round Cove Rd. Follow this road straight into the park. Hawks Nest is an undeveloped state park and the roads may be quite rough. Low profile vehicles may bottom out on these roads.

From Springfield, take RT 20 west through Westfield and Woronoco to Huntington, then:

MOLTENBREY MARKET [MOLT]: Here, the West Branch Westfield River has small falls (rapids) with some deep spots. PHOTO1 The site of an old mill PHOTO2, this swimming hole has lot's of ancient debris in the water (old beams, large cut stones) PHOTO3 so be careful. Unofficial spot, bathing suits unknown. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.24184, Lon=-72.87135 (Source: Measured) (Accuracy : Exact) To get here: From Huntington, take RT 112 north about 0.8 miles then look for Moltenbrey's Market. Park in an unpaved lot across from the market. Follow the path at the north end of the fence to river. Very Confident. Verified. Updated 03/05/08.  Link to Google Map.

GARDNER S. P. [GARD]: Has a roped off swimming area in the East Branch of the Westfield River (a narrow lake at this point) with a beach and lifeguard. Bathing suits required. Pretty spot but can be a noisy (family) crowd. Fee, picnic tables, toilets. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.27083, Lon=-72.86636(Source: DeLorme) (Accuracy: exact) . To get there: in Huntington, go north 2.5 miles on RT 112 (past "Moltenbrey Market" hole) to C. M. Gardner State Park. Pretty Confident. Not verified. Updated 11/01/2002. Link to Google Map

KNIGHTVILLE DAM [KNIG]: Pools in the Westfield river with beaches and rock ledges. Is in an Army Corps of Engineers nature preserve. There is no fee or facilities. From the parking area there is a fire road that follows the river upstream for 8 miles. This is a popular trail for joggers and mountain bikers. As for bathing suits: Pool by parking lot - customary; pool at .5 miles - optional; pool at .8 miles - optional ; pool at 2 miles - customary (opposite campground) ; gorge at 3.5 miles - optional. The first to arrive often sets the suit precedent. The gorge is over .25 mile long with many access points down steep banks. There are supposed to be more places beyond this point. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.29011, Lon=-72.86144(Source: DeLorme) (Accuracy: Exact) Link to Google Map

To get here: from Huntington, go north on RT 112 (past Gardner State Park., see above), go over river bridge then 1 mile past the bridge on the right see a US Army Corps of Engineers sign. Turn right here and follow paved road; turn right on dirt road, go over small concrete bridge and continue on until this road ends in a parking lot. This is a flood control dam that seldom has water behind it. However, when in use, the road from this direction will be under water. In this case, proceed 5 miles further on RT 112 to a second entrance. The dirt road will be on your left this time. There is a popular pool right near the parking lot but more isolated ones a bit upstream with sandy beaches. Very Confident. Verified by another. Updated 11/01/2002.

GOLDMINE BROOK POTHOLES [GOLD]: Goldmine Brook is a cascading stream with several good potholes for soaking. Also called "Heavenly Hideaway". It is in the Chester State Forest. This is a very small, but intriguing place. We almost gave up looking for the actual swimming area as it was in the heat of summer and the water was all but gone. Hiking well upstream, we did find a private little pool. Interestingly, we found a piece of paper near the hole that had the hand written directions from this web page  PHOTO1 No fee or facilities. Bathing suits optional. PHOTO2 Very Confident. Verified. Updated 03/04/2008. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.24776, Lon=-72.9245 (Source: Measured (Accuracy: Exact Link to Google Map

To get there: From Huntington, continue west on RT 20 to about 1 mile west of the Huntington-Chester county line. Here there is a dirt parking area just east of a bridge which has a mile marker 39.160. Carefully cross RT 20 at a point about halfway between the power pole and the bridge. A barely visible rock stairway goes up the bank about 50 feet east of the bridge (climb up the bank here even if you don't see this trail). This leads to a wider trail, sometimes steep, along the stream. Go PAST the falls on the right to where a rock wall (ledge) goes out over a pool. Here there are several soaking spots. THESE POTHOLES HAVE PROTECTIVE LIPS BUT BE VERY CAREFUL - THEY ARE ABOVE A FALLS AND THE DANGER IS GETTING WASHED OVER THE FALLS.

THE ARCHES [ARCH]: This is a fascinating place with an equally unique swimming hole PHOTO1. It took me quite a while to find it, but it was well worth the effort. A stone arch bridge crosses the West Branch of the Westfield River with a sandy beach and swimming places below. The swimming area is actually quite large as it encompasses the area under two bridges. Be careful when a train passes overhead, as it may dislodge rocks from above.  No fee or facilities. Bathing suits customary. Very Confident. Verified. Updated 03/04/2008. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=43.30974, Lon=-73.0035 (Source: Measured (Accuracy: Exact) Link to Google Map

To get there: From Huntington, continue west on RT 20, past Goldmine Brook Potholes (see above) to Chester. In Chester, turn north (right) on Middlefield Rd., going along the river. At about 2.5 miles, where this road bends right and goes uphill, turn left into a dirt parking area for the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail. Park here and follow the Keystone Arch Bridges (KAB) trail PHOTO2 along the river. Follow the KAB PHOTO3 trail to the girder deck bridge. PHOTO4 At this point, you will exit the woods and be on the rocky, railroad bed; follow the railroad tracks to the right.  BE VERY CAREFUL, THERE IS FREQUENT TRAIN TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. You will know that you are on the correct path when you see the maroon, metal railroad sub-station labeled Middlefield MP128.6 Elev 770' PHOTO5 About 0.25 miles past this metal structure,  just before the the track crosses the river, you will see a somewhat un-obvious trail to the right. Follow this trail and look down the steep embankment to the left. The swimming area is here. Hike down the steep hill and enjoy a very private and, when the sun is just right, dazzling swimming hole. PHOTO6  PHOTO7

CHESTER POOL [CHES]: Very near the center of the town of Chester. Very small pool in the Westfield River- wide, and long.  Secluded spot, rarely if ever used, very near the railroad tracks.  Altogether forgettable. PHOTO1 Updated 03/05/08. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.28471, Lon=-72.98148 (Source: Measured) (Accuracy:  Exact) Link to Google Map

To get there: From RT 20, turn onto Main St in Chester. Take the first and only left turn after going over the Westfield River bridge.  At end of road, you will be on access road for railroad tracks- turn left and go about 200 yards.  There is a steep trail that goes down about 10 feet to the river. 

The slow moving Ipswich River winds though Bradley Palmer State Park. Occasionally, near the small bridge, there is a rope swing, which is popular with the locals, but the park officials will often take it down. Popular with canoeists, the river is usually clean and warm If you go further east on Ipswich Road,  the river widens and there are more swimming opportunities. Most people park on the side of the road.

Follow Route 1 North from Danvers and take a right on Ipswich Road. After about 1.5 miles, take a right on Asbury St. The swimming hole is located at the bridge.

   Link to Google Map

The town has dug a nice big oval in a little stream (Hemlock Brook), lined it with sand, dammed one end, added more sand for kids to have a little "beach" to dig in. Lots of very shallow stuff, but deep enough to really swim laps in and some lawn for folks to lie on, trees, a few tables, a very simple and healthy spot free to all, open dawn to dusk, lifeguards on from 10-4. The photo shown was taken in mid May; the pond has been drained for maintenance. The area did look very nice and it certainly appeared to be a convenient and bucolic place for a dip.

Route 7 and Route 2 have two intersections in this part of the state as both routes share the same road for a short distance south of Williamstown. At the intersection of Route  2 and 7 south of the center of Williamstown, continue to follow RT  south. The entrance is immediately south of this intersection on the west side of the road. It is easy to miss.

  Link to Google Map

In Mid-Cape Cod, there is a fresh water pond with a very high swinging rope hanging from a tree above. Very popular with locals on a hot day. Is owned by the town of Barnstable.

From RT 28 in Barnstable, follow Five Corners Road south. In approximately 0.6 miles, bear left onto Old Mill Road. In approximately 0.3 miles, you will reach a fork/intersection where you must turn right to remain on Old Mill Road. (If you continue straight here, you will be on Swift Ave. You do not want to be on Swift Ave.) Continuing on Old Mill Road for a few hundred yards after the turn and take your first right on to Oakville Road. Follow Oakville Road almost to the end. You will see a small clearing in the woods to your left. You may park here near the gate in front of the wide path that leads to the pond. Follow the obvious path to the pond and the rope swing.

WHIRLEY BATHS [WHBA]: Very interesting swimming place: small waterfall, Jacuzzi-like swirling water in hollowed out rocks and deeper swimming places in Cold River. Local custom is bathing suit optional, but it is visible from the highway so you are on display in some locations. Unofficial place, no facilities. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.6436, Lon=-72.9191(Source: Topozone ) (Accuracy: approximate) Link to Google Map

To get there: Going west on RT 2, there is a sign when you enter Charlemont, check your odometer here- the swimming hole is 10.6 mi further on RT 2 past this sign. (If you get to the Mohawk State Forest campground, you have gone too far.) At 10.6 mi, on the right side of the road, you will see a wide parking area with guardrail. This is where the swimming hole is but now there is a sign there that says, "LIVE PARKING ONLY. UNATTENDED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AFTER 30 MIN". None of the other pull-offs on RT 2 have such signs. So go on further and park at the next pull-off about .5 mile west and walk back and step over the guardrail to the swimming place. Enjoy! PHOTO 1   PHOTO 2 Very Confident. Verified.

MOHAWK S. F. CAMPGROUND [MOHC]: Swimming place in Cold River near campground. Continue a short distance on RT 2 to the Mohawk S. F. day use area. If you go into the day use area and drive all the way down, get out of the car and walk another 5 minutes, you will find a great pool, 50 feet long and 30 wide. This butts up to the first river loop in the campground, if you camp. Unofficial swimming place, picnic tables and toilets. Pretty Confident. Not verified. LAT, LON [W84/N83] Lat=42.63797, Lon=-72.93608(Source: DeLorme) (Accuracy: approximate)  Link to Google Map 

  Link to Google Map

    Link to Google Map