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Great free thing to do. Be careful driving ... the roads are curvy and need to go slowily ..plus never know when a deer will jump out. We came 6 months ago after very dry summer and just glad there was some water at the falling. This spring we have had ALOT OF RAIN, so the falls were frisky. Im old and having physical issues but made it down all the stairs and back up but did take a few pauses to rest and enjoythe view. The steps were not easy for short legs and some were uneven. But even with all the rain ... wasnt muddy or slippery. Several viewing stations but worth going to bottom. Lots of ferns and pretty foliage.
The amount of times I've been here in my life are countless, and each and every time is as special as the first time. It's one of my favorite places to visit in West Virginia and a truly special place. It's so peaceful, tranquil, and absolutely spectacular! To see it in all of its glory I recommend that you come in the fall months. I also recommend you check out the view from the other side of the falls as well because the view is much more beautiful. Enjoy :D
I was surprised that a valley of this size existed in Central West Virginia, as drives through other parts of the state are typically more mountainous. I hadn't planned a stop, but was diverted by signage and found this to be a perfect park for a passing traveler. Parking was available with a gift shop and visitor center quite close to a boardwalk which leads down to several waterfall views. The falls, more brown than black, still were an interesting sight. The high-tannin water is a common feature of the Carolinas, where flatter land and slow moving water allow tannins to seep in from the ample plant life, but I wasn't expecting to see it in West Virginia. While I wasn't there for a long time, the campgrounds and trails seemed amenable to a visit of any length. For the day-tripper, there was no charge to pay.
Did a road trip to West Virginia and stayed in Davis,WV. Blackwater Falls State Park was one of our top on the list to visit while we were down there. There was a big group of us including a baby and dogs, and thankfully this state park we could bring both lol The Falls were really pretty, but you couldn't get very close or venture off the walking path at all. Our favorite was definitely Lindy point! We didn't hear about it until a local at a coffee shop told us to check it out. It was an easy walking path out, but since it was a weekend it was very busy. It was definitely worth going out there though for a beautiful view!! Only downside is that it started to pour down rain, so the trail got really muddy but it made for a fun memory lol
Had a picnic lunch and then checked in to the lodge. Nice and clean and beds and pillows are comfy. Apparently the cabins are nice but didn't see them. Had a swim in the indoor pool and played table tennis and some games in game room.The only thing was we had blind and no blackout curtain so the parking lot lights made themselves known and the morning light got us up early. Overall we had a brilliant time and would stay again.
Beautiful area. I made a detour while heading home to Ohio from the East coast. Quiet, serene, great place for a pit stop or sightseeing. (Visited August 25, 2021)
Hard not to give natural beauty anything less than a 5 - definitely deserved here! Parked at the Visitor Center near Blackwater Falls, hit the gift shop, grabbed a bite for lunch (pulled pork was good) & headed down to the falls. Lot of steps down & back but they were in sections with various viewing platforms along the way - some nice vantage points for pics. We also visited Elakala Falls near the lodge (which had EV charging stations!) and searched out Douglas Falls (which is not in the park but is S of Thomas). We also had dinner at the Smokehouse at the lodge - some nice views at the overlook behind the building as well! Great park - great views - great trails! Definitely worth a visit!
Must-see if you are in the area! Don't be fooled by the "only .4 miles to the falls" main trail misconception as the steep stairs are not for the faint of heart--or strollers or wheelchairs. So beautiful! The laurel was blooming while we were there too. They have a cute gift shop with logo items, gifts, and small local goods. They also have a snack shop with ice cream etc, but we didn't try the food. Great stop and easy to find.
Awesome weekend, exceeded expectations! We rented a cabin for 2 nights at black water state park in March. Weather was mild but still snow in some areas. I have highlighted different areas of the park for reference. Cabins We stayed in one of the 4 bedroom newer cabins. The cabins were very clean and well laid out. There are two bedrooms on the right side of the cabin with twins beds with a bathroom in between. The larger beds are on the left side of the house with another full bath. The bathrooms were very spacious. Gas fireplace was nice. The kitchen had everything you need to cook. All the basics are included like pots, pans, dish soap, plates, silverware etc. just remember to bring charcoal if you plan on cooking on the grill. There is also a fire pit in the back. Lodge The lodge was under construction when we visited so the restaurant was not open. They did have bathrooms available to use. Nature center There is a nature center by the pond and it was open. Great place to take kids with some activities inside. The pond outside had people fishing. Trails The trails were awesome. Most of them are somewhat of a challenge considering we went in March and even though the temperature was mild there still was snow and ice in some areas. There are also a lot of rocks and tree roots so you will need very good hiking shoes. We hiked about half the trails and they were all beautiful and well marked by colors. The intersections also had signs that helped identify the paths. I highly recommend getting map from the lodge and carrying it on you while hiking. Phone service is spotty and could not be relied on. Sledding hill Highly recommend going at night under the lights. It is very family friendly. You ride a conveyer up the hill while sitting on your sled. Lay back and enjoy the stars. Then you get to the top and pull your sled to the top of the hill. You do get going very fast and it takes a few tries to get the hang of turning and balancing. We took a 2 year old and 4 year old. There is also a nice fire ring at the bottom so other family members can hang out while you go down or warm the kids up. I highly recommend staying for 3 nights if you want to feel like you saw everything. That would give you enough time to hike most of the trails and enjoy the sled hill along with anything else you want to do. Also if staying in the park bring food. There is some convenience stores close but I did not see a grocery store nearby.
Beautiful waterfall with a nice boardwalk path to the falls as well as another overlook if you do not want to fight the crowds. Busy on weekends even during COVID and most folks aren't wearing masks. You just have to be patient. Preferred Douglas Falls and Ekalaka Falls because you can wade in and get right up to the falls. They are also less crowded because you actually have to hike down rocks to get there.
19 hours ago
The views were breathtaking. Not handicapped accessible though. If you have trouble walking or can't walk it's not a place for you which is extremely unfortunate because the waterfall I was able to walk to was beautiful. read more
11 months ago
This stop was our two-day "play and reset" window between Acadia NP and New River Gorge NP -- a quiet breather in the beautiful WV mountains. We stayed at the lodge and had breakfast there both mornings, mostly because options nearby are... well, nonexistent. Luckily the buffet was generous, the food was decent enough to fuel the day, and the views helped everything go down a little easier. Service, however, could definitely benefit from a hospitality tune-up -- a smile and a bit of warmth go a long way before coffee! That said, the park itself is lovely. We enjoyed peaceful trails surrounded by lush forest, and the falls are truly worth the trip -- dramatic and grounding. I got in a few good hikes, while my husband happily took in the waterfall views from the accessible paths, which are thoughtfully laid out and easy to navigate. In short: Beautiful park Scenic lodge views Buffet that gets the job done Service that could caffeinate their cheerfulness Perfect little nature pause before hitting our next national park. read more
Great free thing to do. Be careful driving ... the roads are curvy and need to go slowily ..plus never know when a deer will jump out. We came 6 months ago after very dry summer and just glad there was some water at the falling. This spring we have had ALOT OF RAIN, so the falls were frisky. Im old and having physical issues but made it down all the stairs and back up but did take a few pauses to rest and enjoythe view. The steps were not easy for short legs and some were uneven. But even with all the rain ... wasnt muddy or slippery. Several viewing stations but worth going to bottom. Lots of ferns and pretty foliage. read more
5 months ago
The amount of times I've been here in my life are countless, and each and every time is as special as the first time. It's one of my favorite places to visit in West Virginia and a truly special place. It's so peaceful, tranquil, and absolutely spectacular! To see it in all of its glory I recommend that you come in the fall months. I also recommend you check out the view from the other side of the falls as well because the view is much more beautiful. Enjoy :D read more
I was surprised that a valley of this size existed in Central West Virginia, as drives through other parts of the state are typically more mountainous. I hadn't planned a stop, but was diverted by signage and found this to be a perfect park for a passing traveler. Parking was available with a gift shop and visitor center quite close to a boardwalk which leads down to several waterfall views. The falls, more brown than black, still were an interesting sight. The high-tannin water is a common feature of the Carolinas, where flatter land and slow moving water allow tannins to seep in from the ample plant life, but I wasn't expecting to see it in West Virginia. While I wasn't there for a long time, the campgrounds and trails seemed amenable to a visit of any length. For the day-tripper, there was no charge to pay. read more
Did a road trip to West Virginia and stayed in Davis,WV. Blackwater Falls State Park was one of our top on the list to visit while we were down there. There was a big group of us including a baby and dogs, and thankfully this state park we could bring both lol The Falls were really pretty, but you couldn't get very close or venture off the walking path at all. Our favorite was definitely Lindy point! We didn't hear about it until a local at a coffee shop told us to check it out. It was an easy walking path out, but since it was a weekend it was very busy. It was definitely worth going out there though for a beautiful view!! Only downside is that it started to pour down rain, so the trail got really muddy but it made for a fun memory lol read more
5 months ago
Had a picnic lunch and then checked in to the lodge. Nice and clean and beds and pillows are comfy. Apparently the cabins are nice but didn't see them. Had a swim in the indoor pool and played table tennis and some games in game room.The only thing was we had blind and no blackout curtain so the parking lot lights made themselves known and the morning light got us up early. Overall we had a brilliant time and would stay again. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
Hard not to give natural beauty anything less than a 5 - definitely deserved here! Parked at the Visitor Center near Blackwater Falls, hit the gift shop, grabbed a bite for lunch (pulled pork was good) & headed down to the falls. Lot of steps down & back but they were in sections with various viewing platforms along the way - some nice vantage points for pics. We also visited Elakala Falls near the lodge (which had EV charging stations!) and searched out Douglas Falls (which is not in the park but is S of Thomas). We also had dinner at the Smokehouse at the lodge - some nice views at the overlook behind the building as well! Great park - great views - great trails! Definitely worth a visit! read more
Must-see if you are in the area! Don't be fooled by the "only .4 miles to the falls" main trail misconception as the steep stairs are not for the faint of heart--or strollers or wheelchairs. So beautiful! The laurel was blooming while we were there too. They have a cute gift shop with logo items, gifts, and small local goods. They also have a snack shop with ice cream etc, but we didn't try the food. Great stop and easy to find. read more
Awesome weekend, exceeded expectations! We rented a cabin for 2 nights at black water state park in March. Weather was mild but still snow in some areas. I have highlighted different areas of the park for reference. Cabins We stayed in one of the 4 bedroom newer cabins. The cabins were very clean and well laid out. There are two bedrooms on the right side of the cabin with twins beds with a bathroom in between. The larger beds are on the left side of the house with another full bath. The bathrooms were very spacious. Gas fireplace was nice. The kitchen had everything you need to cook. All the basics are included like pots, pans, dish soap, plates, silverware etc. just remember to bring charcoal if you plan on cooking on the grill. There is also a fire pit in the back. Lodge The lodge was under construction when we visited so the restaurant was not open. They did have bathrooms available to use. Nature center There is a nature center by the pond and it was open. Great place to take kids with some activities inside. The pond outside had people fishing. Trails The trails were awesome. Most of them are somewhat of a challenge considering we went in March and even though the temperature was mild there still was snow and ice in some areas. There are also a lot of rocks and tree roots so you will need very good hiking shoes. We hiked about half the trails and they were all beautiful and well marked by colors. The intersections also had signs that helped identify the paths. I highly recommend getting map from the lodge and carrying it on you while hiking. Phone service is spotty and could not be relied on. Sledding hill Highly recommend going at night under the lights. It is very family friendly. You ride a conveyer up the hill while sitting on your sled. Lay back and enjoy the stars. Then you get to the top and pull your sled to the top of the hill. You do get going very fast and it takes a few tries to get the hang of turning and balancing. We took a 2 year old and 4 year old. There is also a nice fire ring at the bottom so other family members can hang out while you go down or warm the kids up. I highly recommend staying for 3 nights if you want to feel like you saw everything. That would give you enough time to hike most of the trails and enjoy the sled hill along with anything else you want to do. Also if staying in the park bring food. There is some convenience stores close but I did not see a grocery store nearby. read more
1 year ago
Beautiful waterfall with a nice boardwalk path to the falls as well as another overlook if you do not want to fight the crowds. Busy on weekends even during COVID and most folks aren't wearing masks. You just have to be patient. Preferred Douglas Falls and Ekalaka Falls because you can wade in and get right up to the falls. They are also less crowded because you actually have to hike down rocks to get there. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
The beauty of this state park is unmatched! The trails are all well marked and pathways seem to be kept really well. There are also really nice overlooks for those that need handicapped access. I only wish I weren't so scared of heights and hadn't looked down because I struggled with the height and drop offs. So many deer that are protected and free roaming, so many drivable outlooks for adventurers of all kinds. Definitely a slice of Heaven to put on your bucket list and visit! Make sure to stop off at Blackwater Trading Company for some snacks (I saw some folks with nachos, bratwursts and cheese and beer) and souvenirs! read more
7 years ago
This is one of the most stunning State Parks in the State of West Virginia. The views here of the waterfall is breathtaking and the hikes and trails are wonderful which offer different views at different angles in the park. The park is lovely and well kept. Park Rangers available and they are usually always at the large visitors center aka gift shop. There are plenty of picnic tables with grills and trash cans so remember to keep the area clean as well. I try to get in the habit of carry in carry out so that way I take my trash with me to dispose of down the road at a gas station or something. I do feel they can use more signage to help one navigate the park and the overlooks better. read more
5 years ago
This is a pretty big park and the highlight is seeing Blackwater Falls. You can do various hikes and also camp in the area, or there is a large parking lot where you can drive up and take a pathway / stairs down to get pretty close to the falls. It's a very well-maintained park and the scenery is gorgeous. read more
4 years ago
We stayed in the lodge for a conference and although there were minor issues overall I loved it. The room we stayed in was recently renovated and it was small but immaculate and comfy. The overlook of the gorge was just beautiful. The pool was open but I didn't swim. The park itself is top notch. We loved the trails and the falls are amazing. A couple of things: if you have multiple room keys and one gets reset be sure to get the other reset too. They won't work otherwise. Several people were bunched up to go into the restaurant and no one could be found to seat us. Service was very sparse. They were kind and nice folks but maybe a little discussion about caring for customers is needed. read more
Came here on a Sunday afternoon. Never had been or heard of it before. Overall it was good - I enjoyed the falls and going up to Lindys Point and looking out at the valley and mountainside. I would say that the area map was helpful - which I would recommend picking up at the trading post located in parking lot of the main falls area. read more
Rented a house nearby for the weekend. Really beautiful park, waterfalls and scenic views. The park and trails are really well maintained. Hiking trails vary in difficulty, all are well marked and easy to navigate. Concessions and a gift shop were open for the summer, the lodge is undergoing renovations and will not reopen until the fall. Looking forward to going back in the winter to try the skiing and sled run. read more
2 years ago
My daughter and I had a great time. Some nice trails and amazing views. Very informative staff to direct us and they have maps available, a huge help! The views are magnificent! read more
4 years ago
Great state park and one of the best water falls I have been to in the region. I arrived at 7:30 in the morning at the Trading Post and had the entire falls to myself for almost an hour. The Trading Post was closed, I believe due to the Pandemic, but you would need to check with them on their hours otherwise. It's a short hike to the viewing platform on the west side of the river, the climb up the stairs can take a few extra minutes if you are out of shape. Well worth it though, such an enchanting area. read more
We decided to make a day trip to Blackwater Falls - about 2 hours away from where we live - in the mountains of WV. The drive alone is simply gorgeous. Once you arrive (no entrance fee) there is a large parking lot located near the falls trail entrance. Be prepared to walk LOTS of steps to get to the platform that overlooks the falls. It's absolutely gorgeous!!! You can walk as much or as little as you want - with lots of trails connecting 3 different waterfalls. You can rent canoes and kayaks, and they have cabins available for weekend rentals. We didn't stay in one of the cabins but we'll look into that in the future. I believe they require a 2-night minimum. This place is absolutely beautiful and we recommend a visit for some great opps! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
One of our stops while in the WV mountain region. It is Mid July. Weather is perfect. Highly recommend a stop if you are in the area. We went to the Lodge first and got some advice from a park ranger. The Lodge has a rustic restaurant and there are nice views off the back side. Headed first to Lindy's Point which was about a five minute drive from the lodge then a 15 minute hike on a marked trail. Spectacular vistas. Then proceeded to the Blackwater Falls. Really nice views. Healthy walk from the parking area. The entire Park is very nice. From the Ranger, to the facilities, to the natural beauty a worthwhile visit. Nancy & Mark read more
5 years ago
Absolutely beautiful park with gorgeous waterfalls and wonderful hiking trails and some amazing views! I'm a big fan of waterfalls in general and the ones here did not disappoint! Blackwater Falls and Elakala Falls are both super easy to get to which makes for a ton of visitors during the day but really doesn't infringe on my photography since I shoot either early or late when the light is best and few people are out. Just a bonus tip, not far away from the park is Canaan Valley BBQ...they have literally the best BBQ I've ever had and I've been to a lot of BBQ joints. The food is next level! Anyhow this park is truly a gem and gives photographers like me a lot of great photo opportunities! read more
4 years ago
Blackwater Falls is a beautiful state park located in Tucker County, WV. I've visited several times over the years to see the falls and walk around but haven't had the chance to do any hiking yet. It's always beautiful, but as with all West Virginia, when the leaves start to change, it's a completely different experience. There are four other falls to visit within the park. While not as large, they're impressive to see if you're already at the park. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Blackwater Falls is truly a wonder of the mountains, this high elevation river on the Allegheny Plateau is an outdoors enthusiasts paradise. I've been coming here since I was a little kid camping with my family, still love to come here as an adult with my family. read more
5 years ago
This park is beautiful, I stayed in the campground, and then checked out the waterfall and some of the trails the next morning, and it was so peaceful and beautiful. The camp site was really nice, clean, and quiet. There were other campers there but no one was rowdy, and it was nice to just enjoy nature by the fire. The workers are super sweet and helpful, definitely stop by the gift store they have near the waterfall! When I went the restaurant was closed due to construction, but they have a gift store there too. Of course, the nature speaks for itself, everything was so gorgeous. It had just rained too, so it was so green. read more
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More info about Blackwater Falls State Park
1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd
Davis, WV 26260
Directions
(304) 259-5216
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Visit Website
http://www.blackwaterfalls.com/
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