Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Fee: no entrance fee listed.
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. We found no closure notice on the WV State Parks page on October 27, 2026. Campground sites 1 to 30 stay open year-round, with limited facilities after October 31. What the status labels mean
Blackwater Falls is a 57-foot cascade on the Blackwater River in Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County, per WV State Parks. Tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles tints the water amber. You can reach it by a 0.25-mile boardwalk with more than 200 steps, or by the paved 0.25-mile Gentle Trail to an observation deck. The park's page listed no entrance fee and no closure on October 27, 2026.
About Blackwater Falls
Blackwater Falls is a 57-foot cascade on the Blackwater River, according to West Virginia State Parks. Wikipedia gives 62 feet and says measurements range from 57 to 63 feet depending on method. We use the park's figure.
The Blackwater River earns its name. WV State Parks describes the falls as "tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles". That tannic acid gives the water an amber, tea-colored look.
The park was established in 1937 and now covers 2,358 acres, according to Wikipedia. It's in Tucker County, and its lodge stands on the south rim.
Blackwater Falls isn't the only waterfall in the park. Elakala Falls is on the 0.5-mile Elakala Trail. The tallest of its four falls is 40 feet, per Wikipedia. Lindy Point is an overlook at the end of the 0.3-mile Lindy Point Trail.
Getting there and parking
Blackwater Falls State Park is in Tucker County, and WV State Parks lists its location as Davis, West Virginia. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., per WV State Parks.
We found no entrance fee on the WV State Parks page when we checked on October 27, 2026. Don't read that as a promise that entry is free; the page simply doesn't list a fee.
The same page gave us no parking details, so we can't say which lot sits closest to each trail. You have two ways to the main viewing areas: the boardwalk with its steps, or the paved Gentle Trail.
If you're staying overnight, the lodge, cabins and campground are all inside the park. The section below covers what each offers.
Blackwater Falls is our first West Virginia falls, and the West Virginia waterfalls page will grow as we add more. Across the state line, our Virginia waterfalls guide covers Great Falls Park, Dark Hollow Falls and Crabtree Falls.
Lodge, cabins and camping at Blackwater Falls
Blackwater Falls State Park has three ways to stay the night: a lodge, cabins and a campground. WV State Parks says the lodge has 51 rooms on the south rim and was built in the 1950s.
Blackwater Falls State Park has 39 cabins, open year-round, and 10 of them are pet-friendly. If you're bringing a dog, ask for one of those when you book.
Park listings give the campground 65 sites. WV State Parks says sites 1 to 30 are open year-round, with limited facilities after October 31. Sites 31 to 65 are listed as open April 1 to October 31.
The main park page shows a campground season starting April 28, which doesn't match the April 1 date. Confirm with the park before you book a spring trip.
We did not record lodge, cabin or campsite rates. Check the WV State Parks page for current prices and reservations.
Map and nearby falls
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Boardwalk vs Gentle Trail
Two short routes lead to Blackwater Falls, and each is listed at 0.25 mile. The difference is the stairs.
The boardwalk has more than 200 steps. Every step down is one you climb on the way back, so pace yourself.
The Gentle Trail is paved and ends at an observation deck. It's the better pick if steps are a problem, though we found no official accessibility rating for it.
Elakala Falls is on the 0.5-mile Elakala Trail. Wikipedia lists four falls there; the tallest is 40 feet. The Lindy Point Trail runs 0.3 mile to the Lindy Point overlook.
We found no official elevation figures or walking times for any of these trails. Allow extra time on the boardwalk if you're walking with kids.
When to visit
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cabins stay open year-round, and so do campground sites 1 to 30.
We found no official guidance on the best season for flow or fall color. In cold spells the falls can partly freeze, as the winter photo on this page shows.
Blackwater Falls sled run
Winter adds sledding to a trip here. WV State Parks calls its sled run "the longest of its kind on the East Coast". As listed on October 29, 2026, the sled run is open Thursdays through Sundays until March 7, 2027, weather permitting. The sled-run page gives no opening date, so check it before you drive.
Weekday tickets cost $29, and weekend and holiday tickets cost $35, for a two-hour session.
Children under 5 ride free with a paying adult. WV State Parks recommends advance reservations because sessions fill fast. Check the sled run page before you drive.
| Height | 57 ftNote: per WV State Parks; Wikipedia gives 62 ft and says measurements run 57 to 63 ft depending on method |
|---|---|
| Trail | Boardwalk 0.25 mi with more than 200 steps, or the paved 0.25-mi Gentle Trail to an observation deck. Elakala Trail 0.5 mi; Lindy Point Trail 0.3 mi. |
| Difficulty | Short either way; the boardwalk's 200+ steps are the harder option |
| Entry fee | No entrance fee is listed on the WV State Parks page; the sled run, lodge, cabins and campground charge separately |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or ticket listed to see the falls; the winter sled run sells 2-hour sessions |
| Parking | No parking fee listed |
| Hours / season | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (WV State Parks) |
| Dogs | No park-wide pet rule found on the WV State Parks page; 10 of the 39 cabins are pet-friendly |
| Swimming | We found no official swimming rule; stay on the boardwalk, the Gentle Trail and the overlooks |
| Wheelchair / stroller | The Gentle Trail is paved and 0.25 mi long, ending at an observation deck; the boardwalk has more than 200 steps. We found no official accessibility rating |
| Managed by | West Virginia State Parks (Blackwater Falls State Park) |
Safety and swimming
Stay on the boardwalk, the Gentle Trail and the marked overlooks. We found no official swimming rule for the falls or the river below them.
The boardwalk's 200-plus steps can be slick when wet or icy. Hold the rail, wear shoes with good grip, and take your time on the climb back.
In winter, ice can build up around the falls and on walkways. Watch your footing, and keep children close at the overlooks.
Our waterfall safety guide has more on slick rock and cold water.
Conditions change: confirm with WV State Parks before you go.
Where to stay near Blackwater Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Davis.
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Photos
Blackwater Falls FAQ
How tall is Blackwater Falls?
57 feet, per WV State Parks, which calls it a cascade. Wikipedia gives 62 feet and notes that measurements range from 57 to 63 feet depending on method.
Why is the water at Blackwater Falls brown?
Tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles tints the falls, WV State Parks says. That gives the river its amber, tea-like color.
How long is the walk to Blackwater Falls?
Short. The boardwalk is 0.25 mile with more than 200 steps. The paved Gentle Trail is also 0.25 mile and ends at an observation deck.
How much does it cost to visit Blackwater Falls?
No entrance fee is listed. We found none on the WV State Parks page on October 27, 2026. The sled run charges $29 on weekdays and $35 on weekends and holidays for a 2-hour session in the 2026-27 season.
What town is close to Blackwater Falls?
Davis, West Virginia. WV State Parks lists the park's location as Davis, WV, and the park is in Tucker County.
What other waterfalls are in Blackwater Falls State Park?
Elakala Falls is on the 0.5-mile Elakala Trail. The tallest of its four falls is 40 feet, per Wikipedia. We found no official count of every waterfall in the park.
When is the Blackwater Falls sled run open?
Thursday through Sunday until March 7, 2027, weather permitting, as WV State Parks listed it on October 29, 2026. Sessions last 2 hours, and the page gives no opening date. Children under 5 ride free with a paying adult, and WV State Parks recommends reserving ahead because sessions fill fast.
Can you stay overnight at Blackwater Falls State Park?
Yes. WV State Parks lists a 51-room lodge on the south rim and 39 year-round cabins, 10 of them pet-friendly. Campground sites 1 to 30 are open all year, with limited facilities after October 31.
Nearby waterfalls
Elakala Falls1 mi straight-lineOpen40FT TALLEST OF FOUR
Swallow Falls State Park27 mi straight-lineOpen53FT MUDDY CREEK FALLS
Dark Hollow Falls70 mi straight-lineOpen70FT
All waterfalls in West Virginia
On these lists: Easy waterfall hikes · Roadside waterfalls
Sources
- WV State Parks: Blackwater Falls State Park (read Oct 27, 2026)
- WV State Parks: Blackwater Falls sled run (read Oct 29, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Blackwater Falls
- Wikipedia: Blackwater Falls State Park
- Wikipedia: Elakala Falls
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with West Virginia State Parks (Blackwater Falls State Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.