By Arianna Whitehair
Editor’s Note: Discover West Virginia partnered with the West Virginia Department of Tourism to bring you the West Virgina Waterfall Trail.
Contrary to TLC’s popular song, we hope you’ll find the time to chase some of Almost Heaven’s 200+ awe-inspiring waterfalls this year. To help you get started on your waterfall-chasing adventure, here is an exclusive trail map that highlights 29 must-see waterfalls throughout the state. To keep track of each visit, head over to wvtourism.com and fill out the required information to download your free West Virginia Waterfall Trail Passport that allows you to check in at different locations and earn prizes.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a waterfall trail map and get out and explore everything the Mountain State has to offer.
Big Branch Falls
Hinton, WV
Big Branch Falls call the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve home with an 8-foot drop that spans out across bedrock to create the perfect heavenly backdrop.
Blackwater Falls
Davis, WV
One of Almost Heaven’s tallest waterfalls, Blackwater Falls, cascades a plunging 57 feet and is named for the distinct amber color of its waters, dyed by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles.
Brush Creek Falls
Athens, WV
In Mercer County, Brush Creek Falls
roars along a tributary of the Bluestone River—standing at over 30 feet tall.
Butcher Branch Falls
Glen Jean, WV
A hidden gem in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Butcher Branch Falls tumbles down a tiered sandstone wall, creating a series of stunning cascades.
Campbell Falls
Camp Creek, WV
Known for its picturesque, 15-foot backdrop, Campbell Falls can be found within Camp Creek State Park in the mountains of Mercer County.
Cathedral Falls
Gauley Bridge, WV
Cathedral Falls is one of the tallest and most scenic waterfalls found in Almost Heaven. This natural wonder sits at 60 feet tall, with waters plunging over sandstone and shale cliffs.
Coonskin Grotto
Charleston, WV
Tucked away in Coonskin Park, just outside the Capital City, is a hidden waterfall known as The Grotto. These short cascades are best enjoyed after a good rainfall.
Drawdy Falls
Peytona, WV
Be sure to catch a glimpse of the stunning Drawdy Falls in Boone County. Sitting just off Route 3, these falls are a perfect pair, reaching 6 feet in height.
Dunloup Falls
Thurmond, WV
Found near the abandoned mining town of Thurmond is Dunloup Falls, with cascades that stumble 20 feet across a sandstone ledge, capping the falls for a view worth seeking.
Elakala Falls
Davis, WV
Elakala Falls is a series of four waterfalls found within Blackwater Falls State Park. With waters stained from hemlock and red spruce needles, these falls boast a distinctive red hue.
Falls of Hills Creek
Hillsboro, WV
A crown jewel of the Monongahela National Forest, the Falls of Hills Creek consist of three cascading falls that are hidden off of the Highland Scenic Highway.
Falls of Pendleton
Davis, WV
The Falls of Pendleton stumble over a moss-covered cliff within the lush Blackwater Falls State Park, found where Pendleton Run tumbles into the roaring Blackwater River.
Finn’s Falls
Oak Hill, WV
With a picnic table and bench nearby, stop to take in the beauty and relaxing sounds of Finn’s Falls, located in the heart of the New River Gorge.
Glade Creek Falls
Beaver, WV
Found along Glade Creek Trail within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Glade Creek Falls creates a spectacular view with its picturesque cascades rushing over sandstone ledges.
Glade Creek Grist Mill Falls
Clifftop, WV
Beneath the historic grist mill at Babcock State Park, water rushes to form the Glade Creek Grist Mill Falls, one of the most photographed spots in West Virginia.
High Falls of the Cheat
Glady, WV
Winding through Shavers Mountain in the Potomac Highlands, the High Falls of the Cheat is one of the Mountain State’s most distinctive waterfalls.
Kanawha Falls
Kanawha Falls, WV
Easily viewable from scenic Route 60, just below the junction of the New and Gauley rivers, Kanawha Falls stretches out along the length of the Kanawha River, creating an impressive sight.
Marsh Fork Falls and Black Fork Falls
Mullens, WV
Twin Falls Resort State Park is home to two seasonal waterfalls that give the park its name—Marsh Fork Falls and Black Fork Falls—that can be viewed from the Falls Trail loop within the park.
Mash Fork Falls
Camp Creek, WV
Home to Camp Creek State Park, Mash Falls lies within the forest of Mercer County along Mash Fork—which empties into Camp Creek.
Mill Creek Falls of Kumbrabow
Huttonsville, WV
Perched within the woods of the Kumbrabow State Forest, West Virginia’s highest forest, Mill Creek Falls is a 20-foot-tall hidden treasure of the Allegheny Highlands.
Mill Creek Falls of Hawk’s Nest
Ansted, WV
Mill Creek Falls can be spotted while hiking along the Hawks Nest Rail Trail. With waters falling in a 20-foot drop, these falls are the largest of several found along the trail.
Muddy Creek Falls
Albright, WV
Home to the historic Virginia Furnace, Muddy Creek Park—a park along Route 26 that can be found on the National Register of Historic Places—boasts Muddy Creek Falls, which offer a stunning snapshot when the water is running just right.
Oglebay Falls
Wheeling, WV
Slip into your water shoes and make your way across the stream and up wooden steps to catch a glimpse of Oglebay Falls, a picturesque waterfall with a unique double drop.
Sandstone Falls
Sandstone, WV
Found within the nation’s 63rd national park, Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, spanning over 1,500 feet wide.
Seneca Creek Falls
Job, WV
Located in the Monongahela National Forest, Seneca Creek Falls is one of Pendleton County’s most secluded spots, hidden right at the base of the highest point in the state, Spruce Knob.
Turkey Creek Falls
Ansted, WV
Cascades descend through the cliffs of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to form Turkey Creek Falls, which can be enjoyed with a short hike through Hawks Nest State Park.
Upper and Lower Falls of Holly River
Hacker Valley, WV
Nestled within a cove of rhododendrons and lush greenery, the Upper and Lower Falls are each a stunning sight to behold in Holly River State Park.
Valley Falls
Fairmont, WV
Created by the dark, rushing waters of the Tygart Valley River, Valley Falls is intertwined between rock faces at 10-foot drops. Views of this cascade are ADA accessible.
Whitaker Falls
Monterville, WV
Whitaker Falls is a small series of cascades surrounded by stunning greenery perfect for your Instagram feed.
