Blackwater Falls State Park (original) (raw)
Blackwater Falls State Park
69˚ 
Davis,West Virginia
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.
Activities
Select an activity below to learn more
Biking
Blackwater Canyon has miles of scenic bike trails. Waterfalls, beehive coke ovens, and a stone archway add interest to the region’s stunning landscape.
Boating
Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, the boathouse at Pendleton Lake is a perfect stop for starting your fun in the sun. You can rent single kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards.
After Labor Day, boat/floatation rentals are available on weekends only thru the fourth Sunday in October, weather dependent.
For fishing license information click here.
Pendleton Lake is in the Nature Center area. There is ample parking for lake use, swimming, nature center and programs and disc golf in this location.
Camping
Blackwater Falls State Park has a 65-unit tent and trailer campground with individual sites and a centrally located bathhouse with hot showers, laundromat and a dumping station. All campsites are equipped with electric hookups. The campground is open the last weekend in April through October 31.
Interested in Unique Places to Stay that includes Blackwater Falls, click here.
Fishing
There are many great fishing opportunities at Blackwater Falls State Park! you can catch bass, bluefill, catfish and trout at Pendleton Lake. The nearby Blackwater River also is regularly stocked with trout in the spring and summer. Before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com.
If you’re planning a fishing trip and need overnight accommodations, check in to a cabin or lodge room. But hurry! They book up fast. Make you reservation by clicking Book Now!
Fishing in Blackwater Falls State Park
Geocaching
Blackwater Falls, like most state parks, has hidden cache sites for geocaching enthusiasts. Click here for a complete list of approved geocaches in the West Virginia State Park system. Happy searching!
Golf
Canaan Resort State Park’s 18-hole championship course boasts stunning views and numerous challenges, including 8 water hazards and 65 sand bunkers. It also has a clubhouse, pro shop, and equipment rentals.
Hiking
While the Blackwater Falls are the main attraction at Blackwater Falls State Park, there’s much more to discover while you’re here! The park offers more than 20 milents. Hiking guides for Blackwater Falls are available at the park office.
Additionally, The Allegheny Trail (ALT), a long distance trail, passes through a section of Blackwater Falls State Park. To learn more about the ALT, click here.
Download Park Pack & Map
Hunting
The vast Monongahela National Forest has numerous hunting opportunities. Typical big and small game include deer, bear, turkey, grouse, and woodcock.
Canaan National Wildlife Refuge is another popular choice. Its 23 wetlands provide habitats for waterfowl, grouse, deer, opossum, bobcats, and more.
Hunting licenses are available online.
Hunting Near Blackwater Falls State Park
Outdoor Adventures
Get ready for more adventures! Game courts and equipment such as tennis, volleyball and basketball are available during the summer months at Blackwater. You can enjoy the waters of nearby Pendleton Lake, beginning Memorial Day Weekend. In the winter, be sure and plan your trip to see and experience the Blackwater Falls Sled Run—complete with a 14,000-foot Wonder Carpet conveyor—the longest in North America! There is a warming hut where toboggans are rented, cross country skis and snowshoes are also available with lessons. The Warming Hut offers a full menu of hot drinks, homemade soups and hearty stews to nourish you after a long day in the snow. A large fire ring is available and the park offers seasonal programs for our winter visitors in addition to spring, summer and fall guests.
Snow Sports
Open mid-December through February, the sled run is the epitome of family-friendly fun. It provides an exhilarating rush of cold mountain air with a brisk ride down a quarter-mile of fresh powder surrounded by frosted evergreens. Add more winter adventure by renting cross-country skis or snowshoes and tackling some of Blackwater Falls’ snow-covered trails. The park has more than 20 miles of hiking trails and ten miles of cross-country skiing trails.
Click here to purchase sled run session tickets.
Swimming
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, swimming is available at Pendleton Lake. Blackwater Falls Lodge also has a small indoor pool for registered lodge and cabin guests. Registered campground guests may use the indoor pool for a nominal fee. At nearby Canaan Valley Resort, a large outdoor heated pool is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
Attraction is located outside of the park.
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.
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
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.