Elakala Waterfalls

There are several waterfalls known as Elakala Falls along Shays Run, a tributary of Blackwater River in Tucker County, West Virginia.  The waterfalls are located in Blackwater Falls State Park.

Hike Length: 0.4 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Location: Blackwater Falls State Park
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes, although the trail is not dog friendly
Features: Waterfalls (3+)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are very slippery.  It's very steep climbing down to the lower waterfalls
Trailhead GPS: 39.10775,-79.49709
Waterfall GPS: 39.10709,-79.49917 (First Falls), 39.10758,-79.49945 (Second Falls), 39.10806, -79.49972 (Third Falls)

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.  In 1.2 miles, go left at the stop sign and drive 1.6 miles to the Blackwater Lodge parking lot.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the parking area, pick up the Elakala Trail at the west end of the parking lot.  The trail leads to a bridge over Shays Run right above the first waterfall.  Cross the bridge and go a short ways to a steep path leading down to the base of Elakala First Falls.

Follow the creek downstream to reach the Elakala Second Falls.

The path gets very steep after the second falls, but its not much further to Elakala Third Falls.

We had the dog and didn't go down any further, but there's at least one more waterfall below.  Here's a video of the falls.

Blog Entries:

19-Apr-2021: Blackwater Falls Waterfalls

External Links:

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