West Virginia's Blackwater Falls State Park is home to a nearly 60-foot waterfall and offers plenty of scenic overlooks.
Photos by Matthew Durfee
West Virginia's Tucker County is home to two state parks, two federally designated wilderness areas, and a national forest. That makes it a fantastic place for outdoor adventuring, both summer and winter.
One of its state parks, Blackwater Falls, centers on a striking 57-foot waterfall. The water is known for its coppery tint, which is a result of the tannic acid from evergreen needles leaching into it.
The park is on both sides of the Blackwater River, only a few minutes from Davis, the closest small town.
Here's an overview of what you can do here!
Where to Stay at Blackwater Falls
The park lodge has more than 50 rooms, some with a canyon view.
Guests can make use of the fitness room, indoor pool and hot tub.
The restaurant on site, Smokehouse, is open for all three meals (but check the hours, as they usually close for part of the afternoon).
It has buffets on special occasions and for weekend breakfast.
The park also has dozens of cabins for rent, with one, two or four bedrooms. All are fully furnished and have either wood or gas fireplaces.
If camping is more your speed, about half of the sites at the park campground are open year-round, while the others are available from April through October.
All the sites have electric, and there are hot showers and laundry facilities in the bathhouse.
Winter Fun
Once the snow starts to fall, the park operates a quarter-mile sled run with a "magic carpet" to convey you back up to the top. It's open Thursdays through Sundays, and you can book a two-hour session with sled rental. Nearby is a warming hut with hot drinks and limited food available for purchase.
You can also rent cross-country skies or snowshoes at the park, and take lessons on either. For downhill skiing, you'll want to visit one of the nearby resorts (more on those in a minute).
Visiting the Rest of the Year
The main feature of the park any time of year is, of course, the waterfall. There are observation decks on either side of the river.
Heading off from the Trading Post gift shop is the Boardwalk Trail, which has about 200 steps leading down to the falls.
On the other side of the river next to a small parking area is a paved path called the Gentle Trail that's probably the easier route.
There are nearly 20 other trails in the park. Most are under a mile long and easy to moderate level, but a couple of them connect to a larger network of trails in the Monongahela National Forest.
One of these, the Davis Trail, is actually part of the Allegheny Trail, a 300-mile north-south route that stretches from Pennsylvania to Virginia.
A number of the trails are also open to bikes.
Within the park, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards at Pendleton Lake, mainly during the summer. The lake is also open for swimming.
What Else Can I Do Near Blackwater Falls?
Another short hike to a waterfall that's well worth your time is Douglas Falls. It's just outside the state park as the crow flies, but to drive there is about 15 minutes, followed by a short walk to the base of the falls.
Blackwater Falls is also only about a 20-minute drive from Canaan Valley and Timberline Mountain, two of the top ski destinations in the state.
Lots more hiking can be found in the Monongahela National Forest, an enormous region that's home to the Dolly Sods Wilderness, Otter Creek Wilderness, Bear Rocks Preserve, Seneca Rocks, and Spruce Knob (the highest mountain in the state).
While there are no big cities very close to Blackwater Falls, you can explore the nearby small towns of Davis and Thomas. There are a couple of breweries, a distillery, and places that showcase local art and music.
We hope you enjoy your visit to this remote but beautiful corner of West Virginia!
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