Blackwater Falls State Park: West Virginia’s most famous waterfall

Almost Heaven is a great way to describe the views from the Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail. This short, easy hike in Blackwater Falls State Park features one of the most famous and very best views in West Virginia.

The trailhead is located at the Trading Post parking area. The hike is only about a half mile long, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in views. I’ve done this short hike a few times, and each time, no matter the season, it is stunning.

The hike starts with a boardwalk leading down more than 200 stairs to an observation deck near the base of the 57-foot Blackwater Falls, the tallest waterfall in West Virginia. From here, you can feel the spray of the water—and you have to speak up because it is loud!

Trail Name: Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail
Trailhead Location: Trading Post Parking Lot
Distance: 0.5 Miles Roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: ~160 Feet
Type: Out & Back
Features: Waterfall, Fall Foliage
Dogs: Yes On-Leash

This is a great hike any time of the year, but it’s particularly lovely in the fall when the foliage changes colors. The falls often ice over in the winter, which is quite the sight.

This trail takes a little bit of time to complete. If you are like us and take dozens and dozens of pictures, plan on about a half hour.

If you are traveling with someone who can’t tackle 200-plus stairs. Consider the Gentle Trail. It’s about the same length but relatively flat and leads to a viewing platform for the falls on the other side of the canyon.

Why it’s named Blackwater Falls

The river and falls are named Blackwater because of the water’s dark reddish brown appearance—think the color of a glass of iced tea. This distinctive character is caused largely by the presence of surrounding organic matter containing tannins. The mountains and valleys within the Blackwater drainage contain many plants that contribute to this phenomenon.

Large stands of conifers, such as red spruce and Eastern hemlock, drop their needles to the forest floor. Rain and melting snows leach tannins from these needles into the streams, eventually emptying into the Blackwater River.