The Doodletown Guidebook
parks & nature
Bash Bish Falls
Bash Bish Falls is the highest waterfall in Massachusetts and a popular scenic destination. The dramatic final pitch of Bash Bish Brook drops about 80 feet into an emerald plunge pool. Enjoy a hike to experience the wonder and beauty of this deep, verdant gorge. Nearby, Taconic State Park in New York state offers more visitor amenities, picnicking, swimming, and camping.
Drowned Lands Swamp
Drowned Lands Swamp includes 1.5 miles of trails through wetlands and forests. Much of this site is part of the Harlem Valley wetlands complex, one of the largest wetlands in New York. The site has an interesting history – local folklore recounts stills operating during Prohibition. Reportedly, still operators used the flagpole at the top of Old Croken to notify potential buyers when batches were ready. This site has a heavy black fly population, so you may wish to visit outside the summer months.
Hudson Valley Rail Trail
Bartlett House, a historic railroad hotel, restored in 2016 to house a kitchen, bakery, and cafe serving pure, approachable, and delicious food inspired by the Hudson Valley.
Lake Taghkanic State Park
The park has tent and trailer campsites and cabin and cottage lodging facilities. The park also features a swimming beach, picnic areas, boat launch sites, rowboat, paddleboat and kayak rentals, playgrounds, sports playing fields, a rentable pavilion, as well as a recreation hall and showers. In addition, the park has hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, hunting, cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Ice skating and ice fishing are permitted when conditions are appropriate.
Overmountain Conservation Area
Overmountain Conservation Area includes ten miles of trails, a gazebo, and spectacular scenic overlooks of both the Catskill and Taconic Mountain Ranges. This site is being managed for regionally-rare grassland birds, whose populations are threatened. Please keep your dog on a leash to protect them.
Stissing Mountain Fire Tower
The shortest and easiest point of access is from Lake Road in Pine Plains, just down from the Thompson Pond Preserve entrance on the bend of the road. The climb takes about 45 minutes for most people, allowing a few short breaks along the way. At one point the trail upward clearly separates. To the left is the shortest route up, but it is the steepest. To the right is a more gradual ascent using an old trail formerly used by the fire watchers.
Revised January 16, 2022
Please click links below listings for current information.