About This Park

Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the amber waters of Blackwater Falls, a 57-foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls, along with a few of the park’s other features like Elakala Falls, Lindy Point and Pendleton Point Overlook, are some of the state’s most photographed spots. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views year-round by taking the steps to the falls or using viewing platforms. The park has 20 miles of hiking trails, the longest sledding magic carpet on the East Coast in the winter, a comfortable lodge and more.

Accommodations

Select an option below to learn more about the accommodations at this park.

Cabins

Camping

Lodge

Activities

Select an activity below to learn more
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • DeerViewing
    Hunting
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Scenic Train Rides
  • Snow Sports
  • Swimming
Attraction is located outside of the park.
Groups, Meetings and Weddings Rules & Regulations Deals

Contact

Nature Center

The Nature Center at Blackwater Falls State Park provides opportunities for children, young and old, to explore the wonders of our backyard and beyond. Interpretive activities and programs are available year-round.

Click here to view the current activities program.

Click here to view the upcoming activities program.

History

The area that is now Blackwater Falls State Park has been a favored destination for adventurers since the 1800s. The land came under the protection of the state parks system in the 1930s when the West Virginia Power and Transmission Company, which owned the Blackwater Canyon, donated 446 acres around a scenic overlook at the head of the canyon, including the falls itself. The park was formerly established in 1937. In 1955, the state began adding cabins, a lodge and fishing facilities.

Dining

The Smokehouse Restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant offers a well-rounded menu with seasonal and holiday buffets. The Smokehouse also caters banquets, receptions and barbecues for special groups, business meetings, family reunions and weddings. For current menu items, visit the Smokehouse at Blackwater Falls Facebook page or call 304-259-5216 and ask for the restaurant.

Restaurant Hours

Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and  4-8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Breakfast Buffet Weekends from 8 – 11 a.m.

Winter Restaurant Hours Start November 28, 2022
Sunday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Closed from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Note: On holiday Sundays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Weekend,
and President’s Weekend the restaurant is open from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Additional Information

Disc Golf

Blackwater Falls State Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course. The first hole is located and starts behind the nature center and plays around the back field. Hole 10 starts near the side of the nature center, crosses the road and plays through the woods with Hole 18 completing play back to the nature center parking lot.

Bring your own disc or purchase a disc at the Trading Company store or the boat house located across the parking area from the nature center. There is no fee to play.

Disc golf at Blackwater Falls has a unique layout. The front nine and back nine introduces players to pollinator habitat. The possibility of seeing butterflies, moths, and other wildlife is possible.

There is ample parking in the nature center complex at Blackwater Falls State Park.

Sled Run

Snow Much Fun!

Experience the thrill of racing down more than a quarter mile of fresh mountain snow on the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park. The longest sled run on the East Coast, the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park is a must-do every year. Create cherished memories and experience wintertime fun with friends and family at Blackwater Falls.  The sled run link will have days, hours, and fees, and online ticket purchase links posted as available.

Blackwater Trading Co.

Located at Blackwater Falls main view area, this trading post style feature is a must see when visiting Blackwater Falls. Retail items, public restrooms, information, and a snack bar are located here.  This area also has outdoor seating for relaxation prior to or from the short walk to Blackwater Falls view point and the boardwalk closer to the falls.  The trading post is open year-round with daily hours. The snack bar opens late spring through the end of October and features pepperoni rolls, ice cream and other visitor favorites.  The snack bar is open daily in the summer season and open Wednesday – Sunday in mid-spring and October.  Hours may vary.

Trails

Download Park Trail Map

Allegheny Trail

This trail leaves the park to the north at the park entrance off state Route 32 and to the south of the riding stables. Overnight parking for trail usage is available at the Blackwater Lodge, but guests must register at the front desk.

Distance: 1.2 miles, inside the park

Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult

Balanced Rock Trail

This trail begins at the main park road across from Elakala Trail, crosses Shay Trace and Red Spruce Riding trails, continues to Balanced Rock Trail and ends near Cabin 13.

Distance: 1 mile

Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult

Balsam Fir Trail

This trail begins near the Harold Walters Nature Center, winds through beech and maple groves and passes through a stand of balsam fir. It then loops back to the Recreation Building by way of the campground.

Distance: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult

Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail

This trail starts at the Trading Post parking area and leads to a stone patio and boardwalk more than 200 steps down to an observation deck beside Blackwater Falls. This is the main viewing area for the falls.
NOTE: For beginner access to the view, take Gentle Trail.

Distance: 0.25 miles

Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult

Cherry Lane Trail

This trail begins at the park road before Cabin Number 1, intersects Shay Trace Trail and continues to the cul-de-sac at Cabin Number 26. For cross country skiers, this trail is considered somewhat difficult to difficult.

Distance:  1 mile

Difficulty:  Easy

Davis Trail

This trail begins at the stables and leads to a network of trails in the Monongahela National Forest.
NOTE: The trail becomes more difficult outside the park and transitions to a somewhat difficult rating.

Distance: 0.25 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Dobbin House Trail

This trail leaves the Harold Walters Nature Center by way of the maintenance road across the
dam of Pendleton Lake and connects to the Monongalia National Forest Trail System.

Distance:  0.75 miles

Difficulty: Easy to somewhat difficult

Elakala Trail

This trail starts at the south end of Blackwater Lodge, bridges the upper section with a great view of Elakala Falls, continues along the canyon rim and ends at the main park road across from Balanced Rock Trail.

Distance: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Gee Haw Trail

This trail connects the Harold Walters Nature Center with Supper Track Trail and links to the beginner cross country ski loop.

Distance: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Gentle Trail

This trail is a short, paved path to an observation deck overlooking Blackwater Falls. It begins at the parking area across from the maintenance area and ends at the observation deck.

Distance: 0.25 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Lindy Point Trail

Located one mile past the sled run parking area, this trail sits at 3,000 feet overlooking the Blackwater Canyon. The trail has a small parking area one mile below the sled run area. In the winter, skiers can ski to the overlook (1.37 miles).

Distance: 0.3 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Pase Point Trail

This is an extension of the Dobbin House Trail that runs through hardwoods and rhododendron to Pase Point, overlooking the North Fork of the Blackwater River.

Distance:  0.7 miles

Difficulty: Difficult

Pendleton Trace Trail

This trail connects the Harold Walters Nature Center with the North Rim Road.

Distance: 0.25 miles

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Red Spruce Trail

This trail originates at the barn, winds through spruce and hemlocks and ends at the entrance to the cabin area. In the winter, the trail is a primary X-C ski trail to most park locations.

Distance:  1.25 miles

Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult

Rhododendron Trail

This trail starts near Cabin Number 9, travels through hemlock and hardwoods and connects with Balanced Rock Trail near Cabin 13.

Distance: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

River Road Trail

This trail begins at the maintenance area road, where Yellow Birch Trail ends. This trail is an old railroad grade that directly links to the town of Davis. The trail runs along the Blackwater River, which provides good fishing opportunities for hikers. NOTE: Some vehicle traffic occurs on this trail.

Distance: 1.56 miles

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Shay Trace Trail

This trail starts just past the lodge at Shay Run, crosses the Red Spruce Trail, the cabin area road, Cherry Lane Trail and goes onto the base at the sled run warming hut.

Distance: 0.75 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Spudder Track Trail

Access this trail via Gee Haw Trail from the Recreation Building and the North Rim Road at either end. It is part of the beginner loop for cross country skiers.

Distance: 0.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Stemwinder Trail

This trail parallels the state park boundary and connects Red Spruce Trail and Davis Trail. The trail blaze is blue with a blue square.

Distance: .65 mile

Difficulty: Beginner (Hiking); Intermediate (Cross-Country Skiing)

Watertank Trail

This trail begins across from Blackwater Lodge and provides skiers with access to Red Spruce Trail. It follows a steep uphill grade and forms a “T” intersection with the Red Spruce Trail.

Distance: 0.25 miles

Difficulty: Difficult

Yellow Birch Trail

This trail begins at the park road near the lodge entrance, crosses the stable entrance road and continues to the maintenance area road. Hikers can then cross the park road to the Gentle Trail.

Distance: 1 mile

Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult

Nearby Attractions

Canaan Valley Resort

Blackwater Falls State Park is less than seven miles from Canaan Valley Resort State Park. This area is a hiking and biking paradise, and more!

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Visit the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, with 16,225 acres managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge features 31 miles of year-round trails, hunting and fishing opportunities.

Davis and Thomas, WV

Get a taste of small-town West Virginia and visit the nearby towns of Davis and Thomas for art shops, breweries and restaurants, live music and other local favorites. For more information about these towns and more activities in the area, visit the Tucker County CVB’s website here.

Monongahela National Forest

Spanning nearly a million acres, this forest encompasses one of America’s most diverse ecological regions. Hundreds of bird species live here, as do 8 types of endangered animals and 75 kinds of trees. Highlights include Spruce Knob (the state’s highest peak at 4,863 feet), rustic camping, picnicking, and backpacking.

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