5 Fun Things to Do at Blackwater Falls State Park (2026 travel guide)

If you’ve never been to Blackwater Falls State Park – you should. Excuse my sassiness, but seriously, you need to plan a trip! 😉

Tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, West Virginia, Blackwater Falls State Park is a true hidden gem.

Actually, no, it’s not a hidden gem. In fact, it’s the most visited state park in all of West Virginia! 💎🙅🏻‍♀️

Blackwater Falls, along with Elakala Falls, Lindy Point, and Pendleton Point Overlook, are some of the state’s most photographed spots. 

My husband and I visited this state park for the first time in March 2024, and it was really nice!

Unfortunately, the weather was not too ideal, especially in the morning when we attempted to watch sunrise at Lindy Point and the views were obstructed beyond repair.

That was a bit dramatic, but you’ll see later – the views were nonexistent. Besides the failed sunrise attempt, our time in Blackwater Falls State Park was more than worth the visit!

If you’re planning your first visit, you’re in the right place! Keep reading for everything you need to know, including the best things to do at Blackwater Falls, when to go, where to stay, and more. 🙌

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting the blog! 🫶

What to Know Before Visiting Blackwater Falls State Park

The land of Blackwater Falls State Park, before it was a state park, and the surrounding area was donated by the West Virginia Power and Transmission Company to the state parks system in the 1930s.

It officially became a state park in 1937. This scenic area at the head of Blackwater Canyon had already been a favorite destination for adventurers since the 1800s.

The park’s namesake, Blackwater Falls, is the tallest waterfall in West Virginia, plunging 57 feet over a sandstone ledge.

Its amber-colored water gets its signature “black” hue from tannic acid released by fallen hemlock and red spruce needles upstream.

👉 Know Before You Go:

📆 Blackwater Falls State Park is open year-round.

🎟️ There is no entry fee!

🍦 Visit the Blackwater Trading Co. (also known as the trading post) for access to public restrooms, park information, snacks, and souvenirs. They’re open year-round with set daily hours. The snack bar is open late spring through end of October (daily in the summer and Wednesday-Sunday in mid-spring and October).

🚵🏻‍♀️ Activities at Blackwater Falls include hiking, biking, geocaching, winter activities (sled run, snowshoeing, skiing), water activities (boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming), camping, and fishing.

🏕️ Blackwater Falls offers cabins, a lodge, and a campground.

🗺️ Have a physical and digital map as there is limited cell service in the park.

🍽️ The two closest towns are Davis and Thomas offering shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more accommodation options.

5 Fun Things to Do at Blackwater Falls State Park

1. Blackwater Falls Hikes

Hiking is one of the best things to do at Blackwater Falls State Park, if not the best thing to do! But I might be biased because hiking is my life. 💁🏻‍♀️

There are over 20 miles of trails, and many of them are short, scenic, and easy to moderately challenging! Blackwater Falls is a great place for beginner hikers and families with children.

You can grab a hiking guide at the park office, or download a PDF of all the trails HERE. Below, I’ve rounded up the top-rated hikes you won’t want to miss ⬇️

Blackwater Falls

The Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail is an easy-to-moderate, family-friendly trail offering front-row views of the 57-foot Blackwater Falls.

This hike starts from the Blackwater Trading Post parking area and follows a stone pathway and boardwalk that descends more than 200 steps to several viewpoints.

The first viewpoint is a higher overlook of the waterfall, and the second viewpoint is a lower observation deck that is right next to the waterfall.

⚠️ The stairs can be icy and slippery in winter, so use caution and consider bringing microspikes.

If you are not able to go up and down all the steps and need a more accessible option, take the Gentle Trail. The parking area for this trail is located off Blackwater Lodge Road on the other side of the river.

This short, wheelchair accessible, paved path leads to a more distant overlook of the falls without any steps involved.

Elakala Falls

Elakala Falls is a stunning multi-tiered waterfall that flows into the Blackwater River Gorge and is one of the most photogenic spots in the park.

The Elakala Falls Trailhead is located at the southwest end of Blackwater Lodge and is a quick and peaceful hike.

You’ll walk a short distance before reaching a wooden footbridge that crosses directly over the top of the falls. It’s only about 0.5 miles roundtrip, making it perfect if you’re short on time or want a less crowded waterfall experience.

In order to reach the iconic front-facing view of the waterfall, you will have to navigate down a steep, rocky off trail path – please be careful!

You might see this hike listed on AllTrails as the Elakala to Yellow Birch Trail, which is a longer option if you’re up for it.

My husband and I chose to keep it short and sweet – we were squeezing in quite a few hikes that day, so we just hiked to the falls and turned back.

Lindy Point Trail

Just one mile past the sled run parking area, this quick and easy trail leads to Lindy Point Overlook – one of the most photographed spots in Blackwater Falls State Park. Sitting at 3,000 feet, Lindy Point offers stunning views of the Blackwater Canyon.

The trailhead parking area is small and can hold about 4-5 vehicles. A few sources did say that you can park along Canaan Loop Road or at the ski center one mile away.

The gravel parking lot will be to the right at the end of the paved road. The rest of the road becomes a rough, dirt 4×4 road – don’t worry, the parking lot is located right before.

My husband and I actually started hiking on the 4×4 road because we thought it was the trail, but come to find out, the Lindy Point Trail is located towards the right of the parking lot.

The hike is short and easy and leads to beautiful views of the gorge – that is, if it’s not foggy. 🫠

Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, my husband and I did not get to see the famous views. We wanted to watch sunrise from Lindy Point but the gorge was covered in thick fog plus it was a cloudy day.

I kind of regret not hiking it again later that day to watch sunset, but we had an hour drive back to our hotel.

Driving at night (or early in the morning) in West Virginia can be a little nerve-wracking because of all the deer. They are everywhere!

I love seeing them while hiking, but not so much when driving and they’re standing on the side of a road. Anyway, my point is, check out Lindy Point Overlook – it’ll be worth it!

Balanced Rock Trail

Starting Point: southwest end of Blackwater Lodge

Length: 2.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Hiking Time: 1.5 hours

Route Type: Out-and-back

Pet-friendly? Yes, must be on leash

Hike Features: Balanced Rock, Elakala Falls

🥾 Balanced Rock Trail Map

This trail begins from the Blackwater Lodge parking area – the same place where the Elakala Falls Trail begins.

The hike begins on the Elakala Falls Trail then merges onto the Balanced Rock Trail. It goes past Elakala Falls and leads to a unique rock formation known as Balanced Rock.

Alternate Routes:

• Balanced Rock Trail Loop
  • Length – 2.4 miles
  • Elevation Gain – 290 feet
  • Difficulty – Moderately challenging
  • Route Type – Loop
• Shorter Route
  • Length – 0.6 miles
  • Elevation Gain – 95 feet
  • Difficulty – Easy
  • Route Type – Out-and-back

We didn’t hike to the Balanced Rock during our visit because, to be honest, it just didn’t sound very exciting.

But it has a lot of positive reviews on AllTrails, so we may have to check it out next time!

Pase Point Overlook via Pase Point Trail and Dobbin House Trail

Starting Point: Nature Center or parking area near Pendleton Point Overlook

Length: 2.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 180 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Hiking Time: 1.5 hours

Route Type: Out-and-back

Pet-friendly? Yes, must be on leash

Hike Features: Pendleton Lake, Pase Point Overlook

🥾 Pase Point Trail Map

There are several ways to start this hike – either from the Nature Center or the parking area near Pendleton Point Overlook.

The most common route begins on Pendleton Trace Trail, which merges into Dobbin House Trail, and eventually connects to Pase Point Trail. From the junction, it’s a short walk to the overlook.

The Pase Point Overlook was one of our favorite spots in Blackwater Falls State Park! It was peaceful and the views were incredible.

My husband and I hiked to Pase Point Overlook during our day trip to Blackwater Falls, but we took a different route.

We meant to hike a 4-mile loop but ended up on the wrong trail. Still, we found our way and completed a slightly shorter loop instead

2. Watch Sunset at Lindy Point Overlook or Pendleton Point Overlook

I’ve already mentioned Lindy Point Overlook, but we’re going to talk about her again, along with Pendleton Point Overlook. 💅🏻

These viewpoints are incredible spots to watch the sunset – according to the internet. We personally didn’t watch sunset from either of these spots, but I wish we had!

Sunset at Lindy Point Overlook

Lindy Point is one of the most photographed overlooks in West Virginia. 📸

This viewpoint offers beautiful 180-degree views of Blackwater Canyon and a 35-foot rock pillar as the perfect subject for photos.

The Lindy Point Trail is short and easy that leads to a wooden observation deck sitting 3,000 feet above the gorge. I read that this spot is both great for sunrise and sunset, but more popular for watching sunset.

🅿️ Parking Tip: The parking lot is small (fits about 4-5 cars), but you can also park along Canaan Loop Road or at the ski center one mile away.

Sunset at Pendleton Point Overlook

Just a short drive from the Blackwater Lodge, Pendleton Point Overlook offers another incredible view of Blackwater Canyon.

Though it’s not as well-known as Lindy Point, it’s just as stunning, and much easier to access.

A short, wheelchair accessible, paved path leads to a wooden viewing deck. It’s another great spot to catch the sunset!

🌄 Trip Planning Tip: Obviously, you can’t watch sunset from both spots in one day, so if you do only have one day to visit Blackwater Falls, watch sunrise from Lindy Point Overlook then head over to Pendleton Point Overlook later for sunset.

3. Take an Instagram-Worthy Picture at the Almost Heaven Swing

West Virginia has a unique thing called the Almost Heaven Swings. They’re placed throughout the state in the most picturesque spots making for perfect photos.

Blackwater Falls State Park has one of their own located along the Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail.

You’ll see a note written on the wooden West Virginia state-shaped sign encouraging you to share it on social media and use the hashtag #AlmostHeaven.

It’s a fun, quick thing to do while you’re visiting Blackwater Falls.

4. Go Sledding on the Longest Sled Run on the East Coast

Now this sounds like a lot of fun! I’m so sad we left West Virginia before winter started. Like I keep saying, we’ll be back!

Hopefully in winter so we can sled down the longest sled run on the East Coast! 😲

The Blackwater Falls Sled Run features a quarter mile of fresh mountain snow for sledding and a 14,000-foot Wonder Carpet conveyor.

The sled run is open from mid-December to February/March (depending on weather conditions). For more information about operating hours and how to purchase tickets, check out their website.

5. Swim, Kayak, and Paddle Board at Pendleton Lake

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Pendleton Lake is open for swimming, paddling, and laid-back lakeside fun.

Located near the Nature Center, this area offers ample parking and easy access to the lake, disc golf course, and park programs. You can rent single kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and stand-up paddle boards.

The boathouse is open daily during the summer season and switches to weekend-only rentals after Labor Day through the fourth Sunday in October (weather permitting).

Bonus: See Four Waterfalls on the Blackwater Canyon Trail

While it’s not technically inside Blackwater Falls State Park, the Blackwater Canyon Trail definitely earns a spot on this list!

Starting near the town of Thomas (or from Hendricks), the trail stretches 10.5 miles one way. Don’t worry, you don’t have to hike the entire trail to reach the waterfalls – Albert, Theresa, Douglas, and Kennedy.

From the trailhead to the final waterfall, it’s 1 mile roundtrip and rated as moderately difficult.

The first two waterfalls you drive up to, so they’re not included in the hike, but Douglas Falls and Kennedy Falls require a little bit of hiking. My personal favorite was Kennedy Falls. 🫶

Not only is it beautiful and more secluded than the others, but the trail to reach it is a little more adventurous.

✨ I go into way more detail in this blog post – 10 Best Hikes in West Virginia – so make sure to check that out to learn more about this incredible trail!

Best Time to Visit Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park is open year-round and a great place to visit in any season! Let’s look at this seasonal breakdown so you can better plan your trip.

🌷 Spring (March – May): Spring brings comfortable temperatures and blooming wildflowers along the trail.

A quick Google search shows that May is typically the rainiest month in Davis, West Virginia, so be prepared for muddy trails.

Spring is a great time to see the waterfalls due it being the rainy season!

☀️ Summer (June – August): Hot and humid conditions make summer hiking more challenging. Many of the trails in Blackwater Falls are easy to moderate in difficulty and lead through shaded forests.

However, it’s always important to bring plenty of water and salty snacks when hiking in the summer. Also begin your hikes early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the hottest part of the day.

🍂 Fall (September – November): Fall is probably the best time to visit Blackwater Falls State Park.

Crisp air and peak foliage in mid-to-late October transform the landscape into a breathtaking mix of red, orange, and gold.

I can only imagine, while looking at pictures, how beautiful this state park must be in the fall.

☃️ Winter (December – February): Winter transforms Blackwater Falls into a magical wonderland. Snow covering the ground makes the trails and viewpoints even more scenic!

Just be prepared – snow and ice can make the trails slick, so pack microspikes and extra layers.

If you love winter adventures like sledding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing, this is the perfect time to visit.

The park’s warming hut offers rentals for toboggans, skis, and snowshoes – plus lessons if you’re new to it all. They also offer hot drinks, homemade soup, or a hearty stews to refuel and warm your soul. 😋

Visiting Blackwater Falls State Park

Have I convinced you to add Blackwater Falls State Park to your bucket list yet? If you’re starting to plan a trip, let me make it a little easier for you.

Let’s look at the logistics, such as how to get there, where to stay, and places to eat. 👇

How to Get There

Blackwater Falls State Park is located near the small town of Davis in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.

One thing I really love about the location is that it’s surrounded by small mountain towns – no big cities! We love that. 😌

If you plan to stay in a big city (or already live in a city nearby) and want to make a day trip or weekend trip, that’s awesome!

🏙️ The closest cities to Blackwater Falls State Park include:

• Morgantown, West Virginia – 65 miles away (1 hour and 40 minutes’ drive)
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 145 miles away (2 hours and 40 minutes’ drive)
• Washington, DC – 170 miles away (2 hours and 45 minutes’ drive with tolls)
• Charleston, West Virginia – 180 miles away (3 hours’ drive)
• Baltimore, Maryland – 200 miles away (3 hours and 20 minutes’ drive)

If you are planning to fly in, there are several international airports within a 150 to 205 mile radius of the state park.

✈️ International airports closest to Blackwater Falls State Park:

• Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) – Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, about 150 miles away (2 hours and 45 minutes’ drive with tolls).
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Located in Dulles, Virginia, about 155 miles away (2 hours and 30 minutes’ drive with tolls).
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – Located in Washington, DC, about 170 miles away (2 hours and 45 minutes’ drive with tolls).
• West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) – Located in Charleston, West Virginia, about 180 miles away (3 hours’ drive).
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – Located in Baltimore, Maryland, about 205 miles away (3 hours and 20 minutes’ drive with tolls).

🚗 Trip Planning Tip: Don’t forget to rent a car, if you need one!

🗺️ Save these addresses and coordinates so you can better navigate to popular spots in Blackwater Falls State Park. ⬇️

• Blackwater Lodge and parking area for Elakala Falls Trail – 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260
• Blackwater Trading Post and parking area for Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail – 39°06’45.5″N 79°29’02.8″W
• Parking area for the Gentle Trail to viewpoint of Blackwater Falls – 39°06’46.5″N 79°28’48.1″W
• Parking area for Pendleton Point Overlook – 39°06’47.8″N 79°29’55.5″W
• Parking area for Lindy Point Trail – 39°06’00.0″N 79°31’30.7″W
• Parking area for Nature Center, Pendleton Lake, and Disc Golf Course – 39°07’00.8″N 79°29’44.9″W
• Blackwater Falls Campground – 39°06’58.7″N 79°29’21.8″W

Where to Stay

Hotels Near Blackwater Falls

There are plenty of hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts near the state park.

🏨 This list is not exhaustive but here are some options with good ratings!

• Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast (Davis)
• The Inn at Canaan (Davis)
• The Billy Motel & Bar (Davis)
• Milo’s Guesthouse (Davis)
• Cooper House Bed & Cocktail (Thomas)
• Riverside Suites (Oakland, Maryland)
• The Hermitage Inn and Taphouse (Petersburg)
• Tygart Hotel (Elkins)

Blackwater Falls Lodging (resorts, lodges, cabins)

Blackwater Falls State Park has their own lodge with 54 newly renovated rooms along with a pool and restaurant. Looking to stay in a more rustic style accommodation? They also have cabins!

Blackwater Falls cabins offer a cozy and convenient stay, with 39 fully furnished options that include kitchens, running water, TV, and Wi-Fi.

For a more spacious getaway, the park also features 13 four-bedroom, two-bathroom vacation cabins, featuring washer-dryer combos, gas fireplaces, and all the comforts of home.

Looking for more options outside of the park?

🌲 Here’s a list of some of the top-rated lodging options nearby:

• Black Bear Resort (Davis)
• Land of Canaan Vacation Resort (Davis)
• Alpine Lodge (Davis)
• The Golden Anchor Cabins (Canaan Heights)
• Hooah Cabin Retreat (Parsons)
• Cozy Anchors Away Cabin Hideaway (Parsons)
• Rural Cabin Hideaway (Parsons)
• Smoke Hole Resort (Cabins)

Blackwater Falls Camping

In the mood for a camping experience? Book a campsite at the Blackwater Falls Campground!

The campground offers 65 tent and trailer sites, and they’re open from late April through October 31 (weather permitting).

All campsites come with electric hookups, and Sites 1–30 are available for primitive camping if you’re looking to unplug a bit more.

A centrally located bathhouse offers hot showers, plus there’s a laundromat and a convenient dumping station on-site.

You can reserve your campsite online anytime, by phone, or in person at the campground office. Guests can book up to 14 consecutive nights.

⛺ Keep in Mind: Weekend stays require a minimum of two consecutive nights (Friday and Saturday), while weekday reservations (Sunday through Thursday) can be made for one night.

🏕️ Here’s a list of more camping options:

• Restrite Campground (Davis)
• Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground (Davis)
• Horseshoe Recreation Area (Parsons)
• Five River Campground (Parsons)

Places to Eat

There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat in Davis and Thomas near Blackwater Falls.

🍽️ Restaurants in Davis:

• Smokehouse at the Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge
• Milo’s Cafe & Restaurant
• Sawmill Restaurant at Alpine Lodge
• Big Belly Deli
• Sirianni’s Pizza Cafe 
• Wicked Wilderness Pub 

🍽️ Restaurants in Thomas:

• Purple Fiddle
• Mountain State Brewing Co
• Tip Top Coffee Co.
• Tie One On Taphouse
• Happy & More Bakery & Cafe

What to Bring

This Blackwater Falls packing list covers all the essentials you’ll need when exploring and hiking in the park.

While you probably won’t need every single item, especially since many of the hikes are short, you should always consider the weather and trail conditions when packing your gear and clothing.

As for emergency items, you may not need them all, but it’s always best to be prepared!

👚 Layers of Clothing (top) – Pack a moisture-wicking base layer, a fleece mid-layer, an insulated jacket, and an outer shell to protect you from the elements, such as rain and wind. You may not need all these layers, especially in the summer months, but it’s always best to be over-prepared!

Check out my favorite tops 👇

• Base layer: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie (warm/mild conditions) and REI Co-op Midweight Long-Sleeve Base Layer (cooler conditions)
• Fleece mid layer: Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket
• Down mid layer: Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket
• Outer shell: In the summer I always pack a light windbreaker, such as the Cotopaxi Teca Crop Windbreaker or the RevolutionRace Unit Light Windbreaker. If cold, windy, and rainy conditions are in the forecast (or there’s a slight possibility), I make sure to pack my Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket.

🩳 Hiking Shorts or Pants – Pack a comfortable, durable, and stretchy pair of hiking shorts or pants. Also think about what conditions you might run into, such as warm or cold temperatures, wind and/or rain, bugs, and overgrown trails.

Check out my favorite hiking bottoms 👇

• Cotopaxi Losdos Zip-Off Pants
• RevolutionRace Breezy Ankle Outdoor Pants
• Baleaf Fleece-Lined Jogger Pants
• RevolutionRace Summit Pocket Tights
• Revolution Race Hike & Dive Shorts

🥾 Hiking Footwear – Bring a good pair of hiking boots or shoes with good traction. If I’m not expecting to hike in too much mud or snow, my go-to hiking shoes are the Altra Lone Peak trail runners. They have a wide-toe box, 0 mm heel-to-toe drop, and MaxTrac rubber outsole. Plus, they’re lightweight and so comfy!

🧦 Socks – Moisture-wicking, quick-drying socks are the way to go. My favorite pair of hiking socks are Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks. Always pack an extra pair!

🎒 Day Pack – What you plan to do (sightseeing, hiking, etc.), determines what size pack you’ll need. Here is what I typically bring based on what I’m doing that day 👇

• Short walks and sightseeing: Cotopaxi Kapai 1.5L Del Dia Hip Pack
• Short, easy to moderate day hikes: REI Co-op Flash 22L Pack
• Long, moderate to challenging day hikes: REI Co-op Trail 25L Pack or Cotopaxi Luzon Del Dia 24L Pack

🥢 Trekking Poles – Essential for stability, balance, and support when hiking trails, especially on tough, rocky, and uneven terrain. I use REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles and love them!

❄️ Microspikes – Bring a pair of microspikes if you’re visiting in the winter and you’re planning to hike along icy trails. They will give you good traction to avoid slipping! I use Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device.

🦟 Mosquito/Bug Repellants – In the warmer months, be prepared for annoying gnats, mosquitoes, and flies. Wear long-sleeve clothing, a head net, and use bug spray.

🧤 Extra Warm Layers – If you expect cooler conditions or hiking to higher elevations, make sure to pack extra layers for added warmth, such as gloves, beanie, neck gaiter, and a light jacket.

🗺️ Navigation – Carry a physical topographic map, compass, a satellite messenger (or personal locator beacon), and download offline maps to help you stay on course, find your way in unfamiliar terrain, and call for help if needed.

🔦 Headlamp/Flashlight – A reliable light source with extra batteries, in case you end up hiking in the dark or need it for emergency situations.

💧 Water – Water bottles to carry sufficient water to stay hydrated, along with a filtration system or purification tablets if you plan to refill from natural sources.

🍕 Food – Energy-rich snacks or meals to keep your energy levels up during the hike.

😎 Sun Protection – Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, even when it’s cloudy. Also, polarized sunglasses are important when it’s bright outside and to reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and roads.

🩹 First-Aid Kit – A basic first-aid kit with items like bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any personal medications you may need.

🥶 Emergency Shelter – Pack an emergency bivy sack or space blanket for shelter in case of sudden weather changes.

🔥 Fire – A lighter, matches, or fire starter to help you build a fire for warmth or signaling in case of emergency. Along with matches, I also carry a multi-tool carabiner that has a fire starter, utility blade, screwdriver, and bottle opener.

🗡️ Multi-Tool and Repair Kit – A versatile tool/knife and repair kit to handle any task, from preparing food to making repairs.

💩 Waste Disposal Supplies – WAG bags, trowel, toilet paper, pee cloth, wipes, Ziploc bags – be sure to pack out everything!

Things to Do Near Blackwater Falls State Park

Are you planning a weekend or full week trip? It doesn’t take more than 2 days to explore all the top attractions in Blackwater Falls State Park.

Thankfully, there are more exciting things to do near Blackwater Falls!

1. Visit Canaan Valley Resort State Park

This state park offers hiking and biking trails, golfing, swimming, skiing, fishing, and geocaching.

It’s a perfect place to visit in any season!

They also have 160 rooms, 23 cabins, and 59 campsites as well as multiple on-site restaurants.

2. Explore the Dolly Sods Wilderness

I have not had the pleasure of exploring the Dolly Sods Wilderness, but from what I’ve heard, it seems like one of the most beautiful places in West Virginia.

This area offers hiking and camping, fishing, horse riding, and winter activities (cross country skiing and snowshoeing).

3. Bike the Blackwater Canyon Trail

The Blackwater Canyon Trail, once a logging railroad, is 10.5 miles one-way that connects the towns of Hendricks and Thomas.

The trail hugs the banks of the Blackwater River and its North Branch, cutting through the heart of Blackwater Falls State Park.

⚠️ Caution: The 5.5-mile stretch between Forest Service gates crosses private property – stay on the uphill side and respect posted signage. This section of trail is not maintained and may include washouts, rough terrain, and large sinkholes.

🚙 Directions:

• From Thomas:
  • Head south on State Route 32 (Spruce Street), then turn right onto Douglas Road.
  • This road crosses the trail – turn left onto the trail (this portion is drivable) and continue for about a mile until you reach the Forest Service gate marking the trailhead.
• From Hendricks:
  • Follow State Route 72 east through town, then turn right onto Second Street.
  • The trailhead will be on your right – look for the gazebo and designated parking area.

4. Take a Scenic Train Ride

The Mountain Rail Adventures offers five types of train rides through the scenic mountains of West Virginia.

• Cass Bald Knob Trip
• New Tygart Flyer
• Greenbrier Express
• Cass Whittaker Station
• Cass to Spruce Trip

5. Hike Trails in the Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area

Two amazing hiking trails less than an hours’ drive from Blackwater Falls State Park are the Seneca Rocks Trail and the North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top.

If you have the time, I cannot recommend these trails enough!

The Seneca Rocks Trail is a moderately challenging, 3.6 miles roundtrip hike that takes you to an observation deck with stunning views.

Whereas the North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top is a challenging, 5.2-mile roundtrip hike with rewarding views.

Conclusion

Creating this blog post makes me miss West Virginia. 😭 It’s such a beautiful state!

If you love outdoor adventures, then you’ll love West Virginia. And if you are planning a trip to the mountain state, add Blackwater Falls State Park to your itinerary!

There’s so many exciting things to do at Blackwater Falls as well as in the surrounding area, from hiking to biking and train rides to sledding – the adventures are endless!

If this guide inspires you to visit Blackwater Falls State Park, I’d love to hear about your trip! Leave a comment and share your experience!

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