And the state’s waterfalls seem each to be different. Some are tumbling cascades, some plunge straight down. The experience can be moving and magical and unique.

Then you round a turn or come over a rise, and there it is. With many waterfalls in Massachusetts, you can walk right up to them. And there’s a chance no one will be there. You can find a front-row spot and stay as long as you want.

Seeking waterfalls can be suspenseful. That’s because you often hear them before you see them. You’re walking through the woods and you pick up a sound in the air, a hiss or sizzle or maybe even a distant roar.


Many Massachusetts waterfalls were visibly affected this year by the drought, and some have been reduced to little more than a trickle. Still, it is evident that when there’s water, they can be awesome.

Getting to waterfalls in Massachusetts requires a drive, often on small roads and usually through the woods. Massachusetts is mostly trees, something Boston-area residents may not think about. Most of the state’s natural waterfalls are at least an hour west of Boston, but once you get to one, others may be relatively close by.

A good map and written directions are necessary, and GPS can be handy. I drove up and down the same roads more than once, and I enjoyed seeing the rural sights, but it took me a while to zero in on some of the waterfalls.

At the parking area, a walk through the woods is often next. Some hikes are only a few hundred feet, others up to a mile. To me, the hikes added a lot to the experience. A map or a written description of the hiking trails is of course a necessity.

A good online guide is newenglandwaterfalls.com, which has a companion book. Northeastwaterfalls.com can be useful, and berkshirephotos.com has information about Massachusetts waterfalls. Many other online and printed resources are available as well.

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