Updated 2026
Bushkill Falls camping trips have a funny way of turning skeptics into believers. We've watched guests insist they don't like the outdoors. Then they came back raving about the waterfalls and how peaceful the experience was.
Even the campfire smells better in Bushkill than it does anywhere else in the Poconos. Locals call it the Niagara of Pennsylvania — a nickname that sounds like hype. It sounds like hype until you've stood at the base of the falls yourself.
So consider this your practical, slightly opinionated guide to doing the falls right. Then come home to us for the part where you can relax. We have opinions on both halves of that trip, and we're not shy about sharing them.
What to Do at Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls sprawls across 300 acres of genuine Pocono wilderness. Experiencing the falls requires a small entrance fee to unlock it all, but it’s worth it. Once unlocked, you’ll experience hiking trails, fishing ponds, and picnic spots. You'll also find an adventure course, a mini golf course, nature exhibits, and shopping.
Food vendors are on site, too, so nobody has to pack a soggy sandwich.
The key to experiencing all of this is to set aside more time than you think you'll need. The trails have a way of stretching a quick visit into a full afternoon. It's the rare attraction that feels both wild and well organized — a balance that's tricky to pull off.
Give yourself a full day here before heading back to camp. You'll want the daylight, especially if you visit during peak leaf season.
Take a Hike, Any Hike
Eight falls, four trails, zero excuses. The Green Trail takes about 15 minutes and suits anyone who prefers minimal effort. No judgment here. The Red Trail takes about two hours and rewards experienced hikers.
Two more trails split the difference if you're somewhere in between. And we promise the view makes you forget your phone even has a camera. Whichever route you pick, the rushing water and pine scent do the heavy lifting.
Plenty of guests planning a Bushkill Falls camping trip build a full day around this one stop. And we don't blame them one bit.
Rent a Paddle Boat, Skip the Small Talk
Twin Lakes rents two-person paddle boats through the summer season. Which is a great way to see the water from a different angle. Bring your favorite person and split the pedaling evenly, or don't; we won't tell.
Treat the occasional splash as a free bonus workout. It's low-key and a little silly, and often becomes everyone's favorite memory of the trip. No skill is required, and no lessons are necessary. Just grab two paddles and a lake that doesn't mind if you go in circles.
Play a Round of Putt-Putt With a Twist
The mini golf course at Bushkill Falls models each hole after one of the eight waterfalls. You're technically doing research between shots. Nobody needs to know your score. Grab a souvenir golf ball on the way out. It makes a surprisingly good conversation piece back at camp.
Where to Pitch a Tent Near Bushkill Falls
You can't camp inside Bushkill Falls itself. A proper Bushkill Falls camping trip is only a short drive from serious tent-and-cabin territory.
Otter Lake Camp Resort centers on a 60-acre lake about 30 minutes out. Visitors can swim, boat, fish, or stick to land for horseshoes and shuffleboard.
Delaware Water Gap KOA sits just 15 minutes from the falls. It pairs level tent sites with deluxe cabins, mini golf, and bike rentals. A heated pool stays open year-round, which winter campers appreciate.
Mountain Vista Campground sits about 15 minutes away and is open May through October. It adds bocce, basketball, volleyball, and a trading post for anything you forgot.
Come Warm Up at The French Manor Inn & Spa
After a night or two under canvas, we think a stone chateau makes an excellent second act. Our Calais Suite offers a king-size bed and a two-person whirlpool tub. A gas fireplace is ready for the moment tent life turns into real-mattress life.
Wake up to a complimentary breakfast in our dining room. A 40-foot vaulted ceiling and two working fireplaces make even a Tuesday morning feel like an occasion.
Save room, quite literally, for dinner with Chef Marchand. He grew up watching his parents and grandparents cook and decided early on that food was never just fuel. It was time spent with the people you love.
Once dinner is over and you’re stuffed, use the following day to unwind with some spa time. Consider it the antidote to whatever your hiking boots did to your calves. It also helps with whatever those paddle boats did to your arms.
A couple's massage, a quiet soak, and mountain views do more for sore muscles than any campfire stretch ever could.
Book the Rest of Your Escape
A great Bushkill Falls camping trip deserves an equally great second half — real mattress, real menu, zero mosquitoes. Take a look at our guide to the best Poconos waterfalls to round out the wilderness half of your trip.
It's worth the extra stop before you drive back toward the mountaintop. Then let The French Manor Inn & Spa handle the comfort, the dining, and the spa day you've earned.
We'll leave the tent stakes to the campground and take care of everything else, no reservation regrets included. Book your stay at The French Manor Inn & Spa and give your trip the ending it deserves, campfire smoke and all.
Photo Credit: © Zbynek Pospisil via canva.com, © rabbit75_ist via canva.com