Davis, West Virginia
Blackwater Falls & the Gorge
A boardwalk descent into a hemlock gorge to West Virginia's tallest falls.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Length
- 2.6 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 400 ft
- Duration
- 1–2
- Best Season
- Year-round
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Features
- 62-ft waterfall, Hemlock gorge
About the trail
Blackwater Falls drops 62 feet over a black-stained ledge into a narrow gorge of eastern hemlocks — the water runs amber from tannins in the spruce bogs above. A boardwalk and stone steps lead down from the overlook to the gorge floor, making one of Appalachia's most photogenic waterfalls reachable in a short, easy walk. In winter the falls freeze into a blue ice column that ice climbers scale.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 39.1228, -79.4692Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Park at Blackwater Falls State Park near the lodge.
- Take the boardwalk down from the upper overlook to the gorge floor.
- Follow the trail along the stream past the Elakala Creek junction.
- Climb the steps back to the overlook, or continue the loop. Total: 2.6 miles.
Parking
State park lots near the lodge and overlook — free, and the upper lot is closest to the falls.
Tips from the trail
- The amber color is strongest after rain and in early spring.
- Winter visits mean ice underfoot — microspikes help.
- The gorge trail is shaded and cold even in summer.
- Combine with nearby Lindy Point for a second overlook.