Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park is a 2,358-acre West Virginia State Park surrounding Blackwater Canyon in the Allegheny Mountains in Tucker County.  The highlight of the park is the 57-foot Blackwater Falls, one of the most photographed spots in the state.  In the 1930s, West Virginia Power and Transmission Company, donated 446 acres near the head of the canyon to the state.  The park was established in 1937 and has since grown to its current size.  In addition to Blackwater Falls, there are several other waterfalls in the park, 20 miles of trails, cabins and a lodge.

Contact Information:

1584 Blackwater Lodge Road

Davis, WV 26260

Phone: (304) 259-5216

Email: blackwaterfallssp@wv.gov

Directions:

From Elkins, head east on US-33 for about 22 miles to Harman and turn left onto WV-32 north.  Drive 19.2 miles to Davis and turn left on Blackwater Falls Road to enter the park.

Map:

Trails:

Balanced Rock Trail:

Length: 1.0 mile

Balanced Rock Trail starts across the road from Elekala Trail and continues through the woods to Balanced Rock and terminates at the cabin area.

Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail:

Length: 0.25 miles

Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail starts from the Trading Post parking area and descends to multiple viewpoints of Blackwater Falls from the west side of the canyon.

Gentle Trail:

Length: 0.25 miles

Gentle Trail is a short accessible trail that leads to an overlook of Blackwater Falls from the east side of the canyon.

Yellow Birch Trail:

Length: 1.0 mile

Yellow Birch starts from across the park road from the lodge and roughly parallels the road, ending at the maintenance road near the Gentle Trailhead.

Points of Interest:

Balanced Rock:

Balanced Rock is found off a short spur from Balanced Rock Trail.

Blackwater Falls:

Blackwater Falls is a 57-foot waterfall at the head of Blackwater Canyon.

Elakala First Falls:

Elekala First Falls is just below the bridge over Shays Run on Elakala Trail.

Elakala Second Falls:

Elekala Second Falls is a short ways downstream of the first waterfall.

Elakala Third Falls:

Elakala Third Falls is a difficult bushwhack down creek from the second waterfall.

Falls Run Falls:

Falls Run Falls is a scenic waterfall on a tributary of Blackwater River.

Blog Entries:

19-Apr-2021: Blackwater Falls Waterfalls

External Links:

WV State Parks website: https://wvstateparks.com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park/