Sep 1

Sep 1 Your Guide to Visiting Blackwater Falls State Park

Located in the Potomac Highlands region of West Virginia in the Allegheny Mountains, Blackwater Falls State Park has some of the state’s most photographed sites. With the park being on the rim of the Blackwater Canyon, it gives way to some absolutely stunning views. This part of West Virginia is filled with charming mountain towns, winding roads, an abundance of waterfalls, and more to explore.

The area has long been enjoyed by locals, but it was acquired by West Virginia State Parks in the 1930s and since has become one of the state’s most visited parks.

Easily one of the prettiest places (and most popular) in the entire state because of its rugged natural beauty. The Blackwater River, which runs through the park, is named as such because of the dark, reddish-brown color of the water, which comes from the presence of natural organic matter containing tannins that can be found in the nearby mountains and valleys.

Know before you go

When to Visit

The park is open year-round with plenty of activities to do each season, but the campground is only open from late April through October 31st.
Spring and Summer: Mild temperatures, blooming flowers, and lush greenery make this a popular time for hiking and outdoor activities.
Fall: The park is especially stunning during the fall foliage season when the leaves change colors, creating a breathtaking display of red, orange, and yellow.
Winter: Winter brings opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and a unique perspective of the falls surrounded by ice and snow.

Getting There

Blackwater Falls State Park is less than a half-hour from the Maryland border and about three hours east of Charleston, WV, or three hours west of Washington DC.

Where to Eat (in and around the park)

Purple Fiddle
Tip Top
Mountain State Brewery Co.
Sawmill Restaurant
The Smokehouse (closed for renovations - expected to reopen 8/21/2021)

Campsite at Blackwater Falls State Park campground

Where to Stay

The lodge at the State Park - there’s 54 rooms available to stay in. The lodge was built in the 1950s but is currently being renovated until the end of August 2021.
State Park campground - open from late April through the end of October. There’s 64 total tent and trailer sites. They were renovated as of winter 2020/21.
Tentrr Campsites - pre-set canvas tents for those looking for some “glamping".”
Cabins - the park has 39 fully furnished cabins as well as 13 vacation cabins. Both are open year-round.
View other places to stay on Canaan Valley’s website.

>> Related: Tips For Your First Solo Female Camping Trip <<

Best Things to Do in Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park is home to numerous hiking trails, scenic vistas, stunning foliage, along with many other activities for everyone.

Blackwater Falls

The 57-foot cascade of Blackwater Falls gets its color from the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. There’s a couple of different viewpoints of the falls: the boardwalk down from the Trading Post for an up-close view or the Gentle trail which provides a different view from across the river.

Lindy Point

Located past the sledding area, you’ll find one of the most photographed overlooks in the entire state. Lindy Point is an observation deck that sits 3,000 feet above the Blackwater Canyon and offers stunning views after only a 0.3-mile trail. There’s extremely limited parking here, but I believe you can also park along the road or at the ski center which is about a mile down the road.

Note: Return the way you came past the ski center for a quicker drive back to where you came from as the other direction the road is rough and adds a ton of extra time to your drive.

Scenic Vistas

Along the main roads in the park, you’ll see many pull-offs where you can enjoy the views. Some of the vistas provide benches to sit on, others don’t. They all have limited parking along the road so be safe and smart.

Elakala Falls

A stunning smaller waterfall in the park. To get here, simply park at the Blackwater Falls Lodge, and next to the parking lot you’ll see the sign for Elakala Falls. It’s a fairly short hike down and you’ll actually walk over the falls on a small footbridge. To get to the base of the falls, you’ll find a few paths down that people have made. There are a few more waterfalls past Elakala, but they’re not for the faint of heart and there’s no official trail to them that I saw, so just remember to Leave No Trace and be careful.

Hiking in Blackwater Falls State Park

The park boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails that provide stunning views of the mountains and waterfalls.

Top Trails within the park

Balanced Rock Trail - 1 mile, difficult
Balsam Fir - 1.5 miles, difficult
Cherry Lane - 1 mile, easy
Dobbin House - 0.75 miles, moderate
Elakala Trail - 0.5 mile, moderate
Pase Point - 0.7 miles, difficult
Red Spruce - 1.25 miles, difficult
Gentle Trail - 0.25 miles, easy
Lindy Point - 0.3 miles, easy

>> Related: Hiking As A Solo Female: 5 Tips <<

Blackwater Falls Photography Tips

The entire park is photo-worthy, but below are my personal favorites. When photographing these places, you’ll definitely want a tripod and depending on weather conditions, some kind of filter for your lens in order to take a long exposure with a remote shutter.

Top Locations to shoot at:

Pase Point
Lindy Point
Blackwater Falls
Elakala Falls
Scenic Vistas

Nearby Places to Explore

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Located in the eastern side of West Virginia in the Allegheny Mountains, Blackwater Falls State Park has some of the state’s most photographed sites. With the park being on the rim of the Blackwater Canyon, it gives way to some absolutely stunning v

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Sep 1 Your Guide to Visiting Blackwater Falls State Park