Posted in West Virginia Nature, Waterfalls January 23, 2023 by

6 Easy-Access West Virginia Waterfalls That Are Perfect For A Summer Adventure

If you ever have the urge to take in some wonderful waterfall views but don’t feel like spending a day hiking to get there, this is the article for you! This list of six easy-access waterfalls dotted around West Virginia are either right off the road or easily reached from a short, level trail or boardwalk. Sometimes tracking down a few roadside waterfalls in West Virginia is more fun because you can see more great sights in one day.

1. Cathedral Falls (Gauley Bridge)
royalpalmtree/tripadvisor
Cathedral Falls in Gauley Bridge is the ultimate easy-access waterfall...because you can drive right to it! This impressive roadside attraction is located on U.S. Route 60 just southeast of the town of Gauley Bridge. This stunning waterfall in West Virginia is definitely one of the best on this list.

Check out how easy it is to get to Cathedral Falls in West Virginia in this quick video:
Cathedral Falls, Gauley Bridge, WV 25085, USA
2. Blackwater Falls (Blackwater Falls State Park)
David Frye/Tripadvisor
Another epic addition to this list is Blackwater Falls. This is no doubt West Virginia's favorite waterfall, and it's also easily reachable via a short boardwalk trail! Come see why this is one of the best state parks in West Virginia - waterfalls and all!
Blackwater Falls, West Virginia 26260, USA
3. Sandstone Falls (Hinton)
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Another West Virginia favorite, Sandstone Falls is also easily accessible via a pleasant boardwalk trail. This waterfall hike in West Virginia is one of the best, too - which is why it's on this list.

Sandstone Falls and the New River Gorge National Park is definitely a wonderfully scenic area - follow along on the short walk to Sandstone Falls in this video:
Sandstone Falls, West Virginia 25918, USA
4. Campbell Falls (Camp Creek State Park)
Tim Pennington/iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus
Another waterfall that you can drive right up to (or, if the road is gated, you might have to walk the last 3/10ths of a mile) is Campbell Falls in Camp Creek State Park. There's a great swimming hole at its base, so come prepared to jump in! Come see why we think this is one of the best easy-access waterfalls in West Virginia you need to add to your bucket list ASAP.
Camp Creek State Park & Forest, 2390 Co Hwy 19/5, Camp Creek, WV 25820, USA
5. Upper Falls of Hills Creek (Hillsboro)
Kellie Fisher/Alltrails
There are three waterfalls on the trail at Hills Creek, but only the first one is truly "easy access" along a handicap-accessible boardwalk. The successive two are worth seeing as well but require climbing multiple flights of stairs to reach. It's an easy-access waterfall in West Virginia that you can't pass up!
Falls of Hills Creek, West Virginia 24946, USA
6. Pipestem Falls (Pipestem)
Tammy S/Tripadvisor
Pipestem Falls is located just off West Virginia Route 20 north of Pipestem, in Pipestem Falls Park. Learn more about all the amazing West Virginia waterfalls on the WV State Parks website.

Pipestem, West Virginia is an epic landscape of rolling hills, scenic views, and clear blue skies - nothing tells the story of an area better than a video tour. Enjoy this quick video showing off the beauty of Pipestem that culminates with a peek at the Pipestem Falls:
Pipestem, WV 25979, USA

These are just a handful of the roadside waterfalls in West Virginia, some are more accessible, some less, but all of them are worth going out of your way to see. What a privilege it is to live in a state with so much beauty right at our fingertips!

Here’s a link to a map with the location of all these waterfalls. Which one is closest to you? Here’s another waterfall in West Virginia that’s also fairly easily accessible, but closer to Charleston.

 

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The OIYS Visitor Center

More waterfalls in West Virginia

April 04, 2022
Tori Jane

What are some of the most amazing hiking trails with waterfalls in West Virginia?
Some of the most amazing hiking trails with waterfalls in West Virginia include:

 

Who knew West Virginia is such a great place for hikers – especially hikers who just so happen to love waterfalls? Okay, who doesn’t, but still – what an amazing state to be in if you’re a lover of cascading falls. There are more than 50 waterfall hikes in West Virginia to pick from, each more amazing than the last. Some of our favorites, however, happen to be some of the best (period), like Blackwater Falls Trail at Blackwater Falls State Park. It’s an easy, less-than-a-half-mile trek to one of West Virginia’s most famous cascades. While you’re there, be sure to also do the Elakala to Yellow Birch Trail, which is rated as moderate and extends 4.3 miles. Other wonderful hiking trails with waterfalls in West Virginia include the Seneca Creek Trail at the Potomac Wildlife Management Area, which is a moderate but lengthy 10.1-mile adventure, and the High Falls Trail in Monongahela National Forest is another must-do.

How many waterfalls are in West Virginia?

Hold onto your hat (or maybe your life jacket), because there are – get this – more than 250 amazing waterfalls in West Virginia alone. The tallest is Blackwater Falls at Blackwater Falls State Park, 57 feet tall; Elakala Falls, within the same mark, is worth visiting while you’re there as well. The widest waterfall in West Virginia is the Sandstone Falls, which are an impressive 1,500 feet in width, and the most photogenic might just be Cathedral Falls – though, with so many to pick from, your opinion may differ. If there’s one wonderful thing about West Virginia (okay, we all know there’s way more than that), it’s the waterfalls – all 250 or more of them! Add each to your bucket list and see how many you can check out within a year or two; you might be surprised.