Intro to August: Blackwater Falls

Kick-start August with these programs and activities planned at Blackwater Falls on August 1-4, 2022. The nature team welcomes you to a variety of programs from medicinal plant walk to moth night and campfires. Join us.

Monday, August 1, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.
Paint a Bank Craft
Join the staff to paint a turtle or pig to hold your cold cash. Craft fee: $3.00

12:00 p.m.
Movie Time
Join the staff for this PG rated film based on a boy from Coalwood, West Virginia in 1957. About 2 hours. YPP

2:00 p.m.
Oversized Flower or Leaf Craft
Join the staff to paint an oversized flower or leaf. Craft fee: $2.00

3:00 p.m.
Movie time
Join the staff for this PG rated film about a 12 year old that discovers a grumpy but charming character that speaks for the trees. About 1.5 hours. YPP

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. —5:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m.
Naturalist Loop Walk
Join the park naturalist in the lodge lobby for this walk along a section of three park trails with short interpretive stops along the way. YPP

11:30 a.m.
Dig It!
Join the park naturalist, Paulita, for a beginners presentation about the geology of the park and “The Mountain State”. Participants will have an opportunity to be a paleontologist and take home their own fossil find or create their own fossil. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

2:00 p.m.
Pollinators Walk
Join the naturalist to make a bee bracelet or honeycomb candle then explore the pollinator fields at the Harold Walters Nature Center. Look at some plants and perhaps catch a glimpse of pollinators About 1 hour. Long pants are recommended in the pollinator field. YPP

3:00 p.m.
Movie Time
Join the staff for this G rated film about a great friendship talk of a tiny spider and pig. About 1.5 hours.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. —5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.
CSI Creek Scene Investigation
Join the naturalists in Blackwater Lodge Lobby to walk to Shay Run and search for aquatic life. You will get WET! Sturdy shoes are mandatory. About 1 hour. YPP

11:00 a.m.
Leaf Press Craft
Join the staff to create a press for leaves. Craft fee: $2.00

1:00 p.m.
Tie Dye an Orb Craft
Use colorful paint to create a unique glass ornament. Craft fee: $3.00 small, $4.00 large.

2:00 p.m.
Caution-Trees at Work ! Walk
Join the park naturalists, Paulita and Kenny, at the campfire ring near Sled Run warming hut for this interpretive stroll along a portion of the Shay Trace Trail and Cherry Lane Trail. About 1.5 miles, 90 minutes. YPP

4:00 p.m.
Tree Cookie Burn Craft
Join the naturalist’s to make a unique craft. Not recommended for small children due to use of a torch. Craft fee: $3.00

5:30 p.m.
Ramblin’ Ranger
Find the naturalist, at the intersection in the bus parking/overflow parking graveled parking area. Today’s display will focus on geology. . YPP

7:30 p.m.
Geology Underlies it All!
A visiting geologist with the West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey presents an evening presentation about “The Mountain State” in Blackwater Lodge. Program includes examples of rocks and an introduction to what lies beneath the surface in an informal yet interesting presentation. About 1 hour. YPP

Thursday, August 4, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. —5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.
Rockin’ It on the trail of Geology
Join the visiting geologist and park naturalist at Pendleton Point Overlook as we ramble deeper into the rocks, terrain and perhaps fossils that make Blackwater Falls State Park. Program begins at the scenic overlook of Blackwater Canyon then rambles on a rock and root strewn path (time permitting) with a short but steep grade of less than 1/4 mile. About 1 hour. YPP

11:30 a.m.
Meet our Turtles
Join the naturalist’s to meet our nature center turtles. About 1 hour. YPP

1:00 p.m.
Into the Woods with Kenny
Join the naturalists for an interpretive stroll along Balsam Fir Trail. About 1.5 miles, 70 minutes. YPP

2:00 p.m.
Meet our Snakes
Join the park naturalist to learn about the snakes that call Harold Walters Nature Center home and other snakes found in the state of West Virginia. There will be a live snake! About 1 hour. YPP

3:00 p.m.
Silly Stone Craft
Join the staff to use paint, glitter and wiggly eyes on a “rock.” Craft fee: $2.00

4:00 p.m.
Mason Jar Craft
Join the staff to decal a gold or silver flecked mason jar to create a flickering light. Craft fee: $5.00

A direct line to the nature center is 304-259-5511

Watch our event postings for ‘The Perseids are coming . . star party.’

All Activities meet at Harold Walters Nature Center unless otherwise noted in description.

Ask about the YPP (Young People for Parks) activity and rewards.

Sunday interdenominational worship at Blackwater Falls Lodge at 9:00 a.m.

Reserve lodging online: