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    Blackwater Falls State Park

    4.7 (92 reviews)

    Blackwater Falls State Park Photos

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    Rhonda W.

    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.

    Rob B.

    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

    Blackwater falls
    Kara S.

    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

    Arrived and saw the waterfall. Love the sound of water and really beautiful.
    Leila D.

    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.

    John B.

    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.

    Liz M.

    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)

    Blackwater Falls!
    Eric K.

    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!

    More laurel
    Jen J.

    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.

    Black water falls from closer trail with rainbow
    Amanda M.

    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.

    Grace W.

    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.

    Lindsay B.

    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!

    Beautiful park!
    Fran T.

    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.

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    The food was great and the views were fantastic. Everybody was very friendly and helpful.

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    1 year ago

    just make sure you can climb like 20 flights of stairs! what an amazing place! we go back all the time

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    A gorgeous place to view one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. Enjoyable hikes and a great time awaits you here

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    3 years ago

    Easy with kids. No hiking just lots if stairs. Went on a Saturday and it was busy but not to crowded.

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    Ask the Community - Blackwater Falls State Park

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    Review Highlights - Blackwater Falls State Park

    We also had dinner at the Smokehouse at the lodge - some nice views at the overlook behind the building as well!

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    Five River Campgrounds

    Five River Campgrounds

    4.9(17 reviews)
    9.9 mi

    Quiet, friendly, respectful park. Easy to get to, just outside of a little town so you have all the…read moreplaces to get supplies. Tucked back up to a river so you feel a million miles away. I'll definitely be going back soon. My dog and I had a great time while we were there.

    Photo Credits: Photography by 3Spade7Star…read more Five River Campgrounds exceeded my highest expectations and had the most friendly, kindest, and most wonderful staff & owners. The campground is famous for its sold out annual Bluegrass festival yet it is gaining attention for its powwow events. It was very easy to find the campground. We went to the Five River Campgrounds for the Third Annual Powwow in Parsons in June 2025. It was the most meaningful pow wow I ever experienced. The owners of the campground (Joyce & John) gave the sales of the tickets to the powwow to the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Memorial Grove. The non profit organization is involved in promoting awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Some of the performers gave their earnings to MMIW Memorial Grove as well. The Five Rivers Campgrounds owners welcomed us with open arms and immediately noticed us as photographers. We do a lot of philanthropic work in photography yet we rarely get noticed or thanked by many people for it. The owners of the campground were selling tee shirts and stickers with our photography. We had given permission to have our photography used to the performer we have taken the photo of and we were happy to see that he & the owners of the campground were displaying our photography on tee shirts and stickers in the campground shop. The campgrounds are beautiful with views of the mountain. Immediately staff helped us park and alerted us of the speed limit on the campgrounds. The powwow was held outdoors and there was an open air arena with a roof to provide shade. The stage in the venue had a shelter and a good view. You had to provide your own seating, yet we knew that beforehand. The fee for the pow wow was $10 for two days, and we captured the most memorable and beautiful photos we ever took on those days of performers in regalia against green foliage and the mountains. The powwow was small yet the amazing camaraderie and performers were unforgettable. This was one of the finest powwow venues in ambiance, performance, connections, and professionalism we ever experienced.

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    Five River Campgrounds
    Five River Campgrounds
    Five River Campgrounds

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    Red Creek Campground

    Red Creek Campground

    4.3(3 reviews)
    11.3 mi

    This is a perfect spot to camp to enjoy Dolly Sods Wilderness and Bear Rocks Preserve. There is a…read moreplace down the road to buy firewood, a generous 24 pieces, for $10. Please don't bring your own wood because it may have pests that could be passed to the tree populations there. Bring lots of water because there is none up on the mountain. There is a little market at the bottom of the mountain in Dry Fork that carries a variety of goods you might need. There are beautiful spots to hike down to enjoy the river, Res Creek. Viewing the sunrise across the road from the campground affords beautiful views, and a great spot on the rocks. I highly recommend it. In the evening, drive down to Bear Rocks preserve and park. Hike up to the rocks and enjoy the view. The campground has a couple of vault toilets that were kept pretty clean. The sites don't offer a whole lot of privacy, but they are surrounded by grass and trees. there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife feeling. At night you can hear the nighthawks and down at bear rocks at dusk you will see plenty of them doing their courtship dive. The creek is a hike from the campground. These are not along the creek at all.

    Cute little campground. Operative word being that this site is very little. There is a total of 11…read morecampsites which work fine for tents or small RVs. Each has a fire ring and picnic table and what not. The foliage is nice but there is not a lot of thick tree cover in this alpine area which of course makes Dolly Sods unique so just don't expect large forest shade or pines. The vault toilets are clean and tidy. It will take you less than 1 minute to drive through the whole loop and pick your campsite. It's that small. You could walk to nearby trailheads but it might be easier to just hop in the car and park before your hike. Ample parking is available near the trails.

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    Red Creek Campground
    Red Creek Campground
    Red Creek Campground

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    Eagle's Nest Campground - Our Playground

    Eagle's Nest Campground

    4.3(6 reviews)
    49.8 mi

    We had the pleasure of staying at Eagle's Nest as organizers for our motorhome rally in May 2019…read more Paul was wonderful in helping plan the rally, and throughout the course of the event. We found all the staff at Eagle's Nest to be very pleasant, friendly and accommodating. We had about 15 rigs, and rented one cabin. Paul placed us in sites very near each other, and close to the pavilion which perfectly met our needs for the event. The pavilion near the creek, with electricity, lighting, a nearby restroom, and running water, was a great set-up for our group meetings and meals. Paul even set up a fire ring near the pavilion for our evening campfire and music. The camp facilities were very clean and level, with full services at each site. The restaurant on site (Fireside Inn) has an extensive menu. Try the cauliflower soup ... it is FABULOUS. Eagles Nest is conveniently located near Cumberland, MD - a great local tourism spot with museums, shops, restaurants, and a scenic railroad ride. The campground is still a work in progress and we look forward to going back to see how it is coming along. Paul has a great vision for further improvements and is working hard toward that end. With a mix of seasonal and transient residents, most in self-contained units, there is little need for public facilities. Some in our group might have preferred a public bathhouse (in future development plan), but the lack of a public bathhouse would not prevent our return. Happy trails ...

    Our antique motorcycle club (nation's capital Norton Owners) has an annual rally the weekend after…read morelabor day when we camp, ride bikes, roast a pig, horse around and have a lot of fun. We had a great experience at Eagle's Nest September 2019, our 39th annual 'Rolling Thunder' rally. The camping, accommodations, food and entertainment were some of the best we have enjoyed. I enjoyed flyfishing on Patterson Creek, on the banks of which I pitched my tent. The Club had a great time and we will surely return in the future. Thanks Paul, et. al.! John T. Stinson, M.D. President, NCNO

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    Eagle's Nest Campground - Fireside Inn at Eagle's Nest Campground

    Fireside Inn at Eagle's Nest Campground

    Eagle's Nest Campground
    Eagle's Nest Campground

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    Seneca Shadows Campground - fire-pit with flip-over grate at group site "F"

    Seneca Shadows Campground

    4.1(9 reviews)
    20.5 mi

    Sept, 2025. Seneca Shadows Campground, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture/ Forest…read moreService, is in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Located just one mile east of Seneca Rocks, the area offers many activities for outdoor enthusiasts including hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and cave exploration. The campground offers 25 standard, 13 standard electric, and 40 walk-to-only tent sites, and is generally open from the second Friday night in April through the last Saturday night in October. Reservations can be made through Recreation.com, but we were able to easily secure a "first come" tent site in Loop B (no hookups) on a Tuesday night in September. The "regular" price is $28 (2025), but our price was $14 using the NPS Senior Pass. Our site (#5) featured a smooth tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and a paved driveway that was sufficiently long and flat for our 20' class B RV. The site was wooded, so we didn't have a view of Seneca Rocks from our site although other sites (especially from the group sites in loop F) are reported to have views. While separated by trees, the sites are relatively close together and loud voices from our neighbors carried up to our site but they did respect the 10 pm quiet time. Our site was across from a clean, gender-differentiated, wheelchair-accessible restroom with flush toilets and showers, and was in close proximity to a large trash bin. The campground also had an amphitheater (no program on the night that we were there) and a dump station. Firewood was available for purchase from the camp host. Note that there is zero connectivity in the campground. We were able to get wi-fi at Yokum's Grill and General Store about a mile from the campground. A highlight of our overnight stay was the short easy walk on the Sunlight Trail, which is in the campground, which took us to an observation area with a view of the Seneca Rocks. The walk is only about 1/8 mile each way, but you'll need to add the distance from your site or parking spot.

    We stayed at the wooded area in loop A. So this is a review for the wooded area, but not the open…read morearea where the view is open and amazing. We LOVE the experience - for its cleanness, its quietness, and the privacy you get. We did hear that the open area can be quite "eventful" at night, but our choice of staying at the wooded area suits us well. We enjoyed the elevated tent area, the elevated fire ring, and the paved drive way. The camping weekend is very pleasant because of this campground. Choose the wooded area if you want privacy and peaceful nights.

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    Seneca Shadows Campground
    Seneca Shadows Campground - Spruce Knob Lookout - Highest point in WV, just 17 miles from Seneca Shadows

    Spruce Knob Lookout - Highest point in WV, just 17 miles from Seneca Shadows

    Seneca Shadows Campground - Sept, 2025.

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    Sept, 2025.

    Blackwater Falls State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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