The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In West Virginia Who Loves Waterfall Hikes
There are well over 200 waterfalls in West Virginia, but for the purposes of a bucket list, we’ve narrowed down the field to five of the best among them. You can hike to them all, and some of the trips even involve seeing multiple falls. When you want to get outside and enjoy some of the most beautiful natural areas in the state, lace up your boots and tackle one of the following best waterfall hikes in West Virginia!
But the most prominent part is the Great Falls, accessible by a path that descends 320 feet to an observation deck. There, you will see the the water drop 62 feet from a connoquenessing sandstone ledge at the head of Blackwater Canyon. The flow varies depending on recent rainfall. This photograph is the falls after heavy rain -- spectacular, right?
It is easy to access, too. It is just one mile from the town of Gauley Bridge off route 60. You just pull off the road in the small rest area to reach the falls. If you do a little exploring of the area you will be able to find the higher levels of the waterfall out of view from the ground.
This 114-acre area is located in Monongahela National Forest and all of the falls are connected. The handicapped accessible boardwalk leads to the 20-foot fall, then the 45, and the 65. The creek descends a total of 220 feet from the the top fall to the lowest.
If you live in West Virginia, these are the main waterfalls to visit, but they are not the only ones. The state is filled with beautiful waterfalls from its many rivers. Who knows? Maybe you will be able to visit them all!
Which of these waterfalls have you visited? Which others would you recommend that are not on the list? What are your picks for the best waterfall hikes in West Virginia? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion!
Would you like to know a little more about one of the beautiful waterfalls in this article? Check out this waterfall staircase hike, which might be the most unique area in West Virginia.
Best hikes in West Virginia
What are the best easy-access waterfalls in West Virginia?
While we’re all for lacing up our hiking boots and setting out on one of the amazing waterfall-chasing adventures listed above, sometimes, we simply want to stop and spend some time gazing at these nature-made marvels… without all the hiking! In those instances, we consult this list of easy-access waterfalls in West Virginia. One of our absolute favorites is Cathedral Falls. This cascade 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! Another waterfall that you can drive right up to (or, if the road is gated, you might have to walk the last quarter 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 when the weather’s warm! We think this is one of the best easy-access waterfalls in West Virginia to visit in the summer months. And of course, we’d be remiss not to mention what’s perhaps the Mountain State’s crown jewel, 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!
Where is the most scenic place to hike in West Virginia?
Here in the Mountain State, we are blessed with some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the country, which pretty much makes our state tops in terms of scenic hiking opportunities. Harpers Ferry is located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, and it’s truly a vision. This mountain town is famous around the nation for immense natural beauty — and historic significance. It’s the mid-point of the Appalachian Trail. It’s a National Historical Park. It witnessed several key events in the Civil War. It was visited and admired by several of the Founding Fathers, too. From the vantage of the Overlook Cliff (accessible off the Maryland Heights Trail), you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Harpers Ferry that’s absolutely, positively bucket-list worthy. We love all the trails in this beautiful park, and there are myriad options for both quick and longer hiking adventures!
