Chasing Water
West Virginia Waterfalls: Best Waterfalls to Visit
With roughly 47 inches of rain a year and terrain that drops hard off the Allegheny Plateau, West Virginia is a waterfall state. Some falls are roadside and wheelchair accessible; others require a steep, muddy hike deep into the backcountry. Here are the ones worth building a trip around.
Quick Info
- Best For
- Scenic drives, short hikes, photography, family outings
- Best Season
- April–June for volume; late October for fall color and lower water
- Difficulty
- Boardwalk-accessible falls to steep, slick backcountry descents
- Fees/Permits
- Most falls free; Blackwater Falls State Park charges a small entry fee
- Where
- Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, Fayette and Summers counties
Blackwater Falls & the Canaan Valley Cascades
Blackwater Falls is the state's most famous waterfall — a 57-foot curtain of amber-tinted water named for the tannin-stained river that feeds it. A 214-step staircase and several overlooks make it accessible to almost anyone. Just upstream, the Elakala Falls series drops through a rocky slot beside the park's lodge, with the first fall only a short walk from the trailhead. Nearby, Pendleton Falls and the many unnamed cascades of the Blackwater Canyon reward those who explore the old rail grade.
- Blackwater Falls — 57 ft, stairs and multiple platforms.
- Elakala Falls — a staircase of drops near the lodge.
- Pendleton Falls — quieter, below the main falls.
- Douglas Falls — remote falls near the North Fork trailhead.
The Falls of Hills Creek & the Cranberry Backcountry
In Pocahontas County, the Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area protects a remarkable trio of waterfalls packed into a short gorge. A steep 1.2-mile round-trip trail descends past the 20-foot upper falls, the 45-foot middle falls, and the 63-foot lower falls — the second tallest in the state. The trail uses boardwalks and stairs to handle the grade. Nearby Cranberry Glades, High Falls of the Cheat, and the remote cascades of the Marsh Fork and Black Fork add more water to a single trip through the Highland Scenic Highway corridor.
Southern Falls: Sandstone, Cathedral & the New River Gorge
Sandstone Falls is the widest waterfall on the New River — a 1,500-foot-wide staircase of water split by islands, reached by a boardwalk and bridge near the town of Sandstone. It is dramatic at any water level. Northeast of Charleston, Cathedral Falls pours 60 feet down a mossy rock face just off U.S. 60 in the Gauley River canyon — one of the most photographed roadside falls in the state. Along the Campbell Falls and Marsh Fork drainages near White Sulphur Springs, spring rains turn quiet creeks into thundering cascades.
The New River Gorge National Park also hides smaller falls along its trails, including drops on the Glade Creek and Dunloup Creek paths. They are best in early spring or after heavy rain.
Dolly Sods & Spruce Knob Cascades
The high plateau of Dolly Sods Wilderness drains into Red Creek and its tributaries, creating dozens of small, intimate cascades and slides that tumble through boulders and heath. The Falls of Dolly Sods and the rocky chutes near the wildlife management boundary are popular with photographers. Farther south near Spruce Knob, streams off the highest ridges drop through the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, and the trail to Spruce Falls rewards a short hike with a quiet, mossy grotto.
Waterfall Safety & Timing
Mind the Rocks
Wet sandstone and shale are extremely slick. Stay behind fences at the base of falls, and never climb the rocks for a photo.
Go After Rain
Most falls run low in late summer. Spring snowmelt and the day after a good rain give the best flow and the most dramatic photos.
Leash Your Dog
Waterfall trails often have stairs, exposure, and poison ivy. Keep pets leashed and away from slippery edges.
Top waterfalls in West Virginia
Blackwater Falls
The state's signature 57-foot amber waterfall.
Sandstone Falls
The widest falls on the New River.
Cathedral Falls
A 60-foot roadside cascade in the Gauley canyon.
Falls of Hills Creek
Three waterfalls in one short Pocahontas County gorge.
Falls of Dolly Sods
Intimate cascades on the high plateau's Red Creek.
Spruce Falls
A quiet grotto below West Virginia's highest mountain.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest big waterfall to visit?
Blackwater Falls in Blackwater Falls State Park. A short walk and staircase lead to multiple viewing platforms, and the park has a lodge, campground and restaurant.
When is the best time to see waterfalls at full flow?
Spring snowmelt in March and April and the days right after a heavy rain give the strongest flow. Late summer can leave smaller falls nearly dry.
Can I swim at West Virginia waterfalls?
Swimming is discouraged at most state park and national park waterfalls because of slick rocks, strong currents and variable water levels. A few local swimming holes exist, but never dive into unknown water.
Are there waterfalls I can drive to?
Yes. Cathedral Falls sits right off U.S. 60 near Gauley Bridge, and Sandstone Falls has a boardwalk and bridge near the town of Sandstone. Both are excellent for travelers with limited mobility.
About Discover WV Today
Discover WV Today is an independent travel guide to West Virginia's mountains, rivers, towns, and hidden corners. We publish practical, locally researched guides — from New River Gorge trails to Hatfield-McCoy ATV routes — so you can plan a better trip.
Learn more about us