Waterfall Hero Hikes: Stairstep Falls (Dolly Sods)

Stairstep Falls is a 10-foot waterfall on a tributary of Red Creek in Tucker County, West Virginia. The waterfall is located in Dolly Sods Wilderness in Monongahela National Forest.

Hike Length: 4.0 miles
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Dolly Sods Wilderness (Potomac Ranger District of Monongahela National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 38.97277,-79.39759
Waterfall GPS: 38.98159,-79.36573

Directions:

From Elkins, head east on US-33 for about 22 miles to Harmon and turn left on WV-32 north. Drive 3.9 miles and turn right on Bonner Mountain Road. Go 4.9 miles and make a sharp left and then sharp right onto Laneville Road. In 1.3 miles, turn left into the parking area at the cabins before entering the wilderness.

Map:

Hike Description:

Pick up the Red Creek Trail (#514) at the end of the parking lot and follow Red Creek upstream on river right.

After a half mile, Little Stonecoal Trail splits off and then Big Stonecoal Trail after 1.5 miles. In 2 miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses the tributary that the waterfall is on. Scramble down before the crossing to see the waterfall.