Mid-July Family Fun: Blackwater Falls

A visit to Blackwater Falls isn’t complete without attending a planned activity or event at the park. Find these family-friendly things to do July 12 – 13, 2023. Activities are staged at the nature center unless directed otherwise.

WEDNESDAY, July 12, 2023
Nature Center: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. Naturalist Loop Walk
Join the park naturalist in Blackwater Lodge Lobby for a walk along a section of three park trails. About 2 miles. We pace ourselves. We look for wildlife around us, big and small. 70 minutes. YPP

11:00 a.m. Honeycomb Candle Craft
Join the recreation assistant to create a candle out of bees wax. Craft fee: $2.00

1:00 p.m. Ferns & Allies
Join the seasonal naturalist for a walk along Balsam Fir trail exploring ferns and fern allies found along the trail. About 1.5 miles. 70 minutes. YPP

3:00 p.m. Leaf Pounding Craft
Join the seasonal naturalist to create a work of art with a leaf after learning a little about history in the rings. About 1 hour. YPP

THURSDAY, July 13, 2023
Nature Center: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. Backyard Bugs & Craft
It’s time for a backyard adventure film with wildlife educator Sean Roach in this incredible adventure where you’ll discover some of the amazing bugs that exist right outside your door! Enjoy using stencils of insects to create art while you watch the film. About 30 minutes. FREE. YPP

1:00 p.m. Firefly Craft
Join the recreation assistant to create a glowing firefly. Fun for any age. Craft fee: $2.00

2:30 p.m.. Rainbow Art
Our recreation gal invites you to use shaving cream and watercolor to create a work of art for your wall or create a card. Do you know how a rainbow forms? What colors mix to make other colors? Craft fee: $1.00. YPP

3:00 p.m. Owls Presentation
It’s a great presentation about our West Virginia Owls. Sorry, no live specimens but we may investigate an owl pellet. Investigate means dissecting to see what owls eat. Yes! Owl pellets available at first come basis and limited in number. Pellet Fee: $3.00. YPP

9:00 p.m. Lightning Bugs!
The harbingers of summer in West Virginia. These nocturnal flashers light up the night typically from May until August and can be identified by their unique flash pattern and color. Join the naturalist in Blackwater Falls Lodge Harr Conference Center to learn about these fireflies/lightning bugs then venture outside to look for these flying marvels and attempt to figure out their pattern to species or simply enjoy the show! About 1-2 hours. YPP

Learn more about Blackwater Falls State Park when you attend activities. For more information email blackwaterfallssp@wv.gov.

Reserve lodging:

Book Now