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Fall Into Nature: Blackwater Falls
September 16, 2023 – September 20, 2023
Fall colors paint the landscape at Blackwater Falls State Park. There’s no better time to take advantage of activities planned Saturday September 16 through Wednesday September 20, 2023. From crafts to strolls and owls and turkeys, find us at the nature center unless noted.
SATURDAY, September 16, 2023
10:00 a.m. Into the Woods with Kenny
Join the seasonal naturalist to explore the trail through the eyes of a naturalist.
What have you walked by and never noticed before? What plants are along the trail? What animals call the area home? About 90 minutes. 1.5 miles. YPP
11:00 a.m. Celestial Windchime Craft
Craft fee: $3.00. Limited supplies! Supplies limited to first come basis.
1:00 p.m. Raptors of West Virginia
Join the recreation assistant to hear about raptors that call West Virginia home or visit the
mountain state. About 1 hour. No Live Animals. YPP
2:00 p.m. Fall Wreath Craft
Use artificial flowers, wire and ribbon to create a wreath for your door. Craft Fee: $40.00.
Pre-Registration required and limited to 12 participants by calling 304-259-5511 today after 10 am or stopping in the Harold Walters Nature Center to register in person.
4:00 p.m. Fall Wildflowers Stroll
Join the seasonal naturalist to stroll around the pollinator fields to the dam of Pendleton Lake in
search for late summer and early fall wildflowers. Hues of yellows, purples and mauves. About 45 minutes, 1/4 mile. YPP
5:00 p.m. Special! Snakes Alive
Join the park naturalist for an after closing program about Snakes found in West Virginia. A Live
snake may be presented during the program. About 1 hour. YPP
SUNDAY, September 17, 2023
11:00 a.m. Season End Twisted Tie Dye
Join the seasonal naturalist to create your own souvenir on a purple, black or white t-
shirt. SALE: Adult t-shirt is $8.00, Youth t-shirt is $5.00. Limited Supplies! Supplies limited to first come basis. Craft available until 1 pm.
2:00 p.m. Hidden in a Wetland
Test your knowledge of wetlands with this short Question and Answer session with the seasonal naturalist, hear about plants and animals of a wetland. Includes a movable marsh scene craft. Free. About 30 minutes. YPP
3:00 p.m. Owls of West Virginia and Owl Pellet Activity
Join the seasonal naturalist to hear about the owls that call West Virginia home or visit the mountain state. During the presentation families can share picking apart an owl pellet to discover what the owl had as a meal. FREE. About 1 hour. YPP
MONDAY, September 18, 2023
11:00 a.m. Movie & Popcorn
Join the recreation assistant for a movie about a tragedy of a football team in West Virginia. Share a bag of microwave popcorn with each other/family compliments of Blackwater Falls State Park during the movie. Old Fashion Soda and bottled water available for purchase in store or free coffee available in the hallway. Rated PG About 2 hours.
2:00 p.m. Fossils
Join the attendant to hear about fossils. Afterwards an optional geode craft available for a fee of $2.00 YPP
TUESDAY, September 19, 2023
10:30 a.m. Wetland Walk
Join the park naturalist at the trailhead of Gentle Trail for this interpretive walk along a section of
Yellow Birch Trail to a mountain bog. About 70 minutes. 1mile, YPP
2:00 p.m. Let’s Talk Turkey
Join the park naturalist to hear about the wild turkey and how they became the success story for
conservation. About 1 Hour. Optional– turkey call craft for free. YPP
WEDNESDAY, September 20, 2023
11:00 a.m. Movie & Hot Chocolate
Join the naturalist for this wrenching historical drama about a West Virginia coal town where the local miners’ struggle to form a union rose to a pitch of all-out war in 1920. NR About 2 hours. A free cup of hot chocolate or hot coffee available in the hallway during the movie. YPP
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Want to STARGAZE on your own?
Blackwater Falls as a permit process for folks to Stargaze After Hours.
Get the permit in the Harold Walters Nature Center during normal business hours.
The designated stargazing locations at Blackwater Falls are at two locations:
1 Harold Walters Nature Center Parking Lot
2. Pendleton Point Overlook Parking Lot
Roaming the park during quiet hours when the park is closed (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) is discouraged. But stargazing is possible with the permit at the two designated locations that are super areas with very dark skies.
The permit lets park security know you’ve registered. As a reminder sleeping/camping at locations is not permitted. Individuals must actively be stargazing and remain near their parked vehicle.
Reserve lodging: