Just over the line · Davis, West Virginia
Blackwater Falls State Park
State park with a lodge, cabins and a waterfall
A 57-foot waterfall the color of strong tea — the park says that's tannic acid off fallen hemlock and red spruce needles, not silt. There are two ways to see it: more than 200 steps down a boardwalk, or a quarter-mile of pavement to a second overlook. Same falls, very different walk.
Going
- Season
- The park is open 6am to 10pm. The campground runs 28 April to 31 October.
- Admission
- Not confirmed. West Virginia State Parks doesn't state an entrance fee on this park's page, and doesn't state that there isn't one either. Ring 304-259-5216 before you budget for it.
- Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail
- A quarter of a mile from the Trading Post parking area to a stone patio, then a boardwalk of more than 200 steps down to an observation deck beside the falls. Down is the easy half.
- Gentle Trail
- A quarter of a mile, paved, from the parking area across from the maintenance area to an observation deck overlooking the falls. The park calls it a short paved path and does not call it wheelchair accessible — those aren't the same claim, so ring first if that's what decides your trip.
- The sled run
- The park calls it the longest of its kind on the East Coast, with a Magic Carpet conveyor that carries you and the sled back up. Dates and prices aren't published on the park page.
- Trails, twenty-odd of them
- Easy ones include Balanced Rock (1 mi), Balsam Fir (1.5 mi) and Red Spruce (1.25 mi). Moderate: Elakala (0.5 mi), Yellow Birch (1 mi), Allegheny (1.2 mi). Hardest are Lindy Point (0.3 mi) and Cherry Lane (1 mi).
- Lodging
- A lodge, cabins and a campground. The campground season is the only one of the three with published dates.
- Phone
- 304-259-5216
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