8 Fun Things to Do in Blackwater Falls State Park

Filled with majestic waterfalls and one of the most visited parks in West Virginia sits Blackwater State Park. With over 2,000 acres and endless miles of trails, as frequent summer Travelers, we knew this was the perfect outdoor spot for exploring a new place.

With a three-hour drive from my hometown, we packed up the car and headed west, ready to begin our two-day trip discovering the great outdoors in this mountainous region. If you’re looking for exciting activities and delicious gems to eat, you’ll love some of my favorite spots at Blackwater Falls State Park!

1. Walk to Blackwater Falls

As we drove towards the park entrance, we kept right, making our way to the trailhead that pointed us in the direction of Blackwater Falls. The walk on the trailhead was straightforward and was everything friends told us it would be. As we walked along the dirt trail and portions of the boardwalk, there was an observation deck where we could view Blackwater Falls.

This waterfall is 60 feet tall, and while talking with other visitors nearby, they told us that in the winter, it completely turns to ice! We made our way back through the trail to the parking lot, which was pretty crowded. If you want to see the waterfall, I highly recommend putting it first on your list to avoid the crowds.

Pro Tip: As I was talking to locals and visitors who come to the area often, they said if you plan to go during the winter, wear a good pair of boots, as the area gets icy and slick.

2. Go to the Top of Lindy Point

If you’re looking for an area to take in fantastic park views, Lindy Point is a must-see! As we made our way to the top, we had extensive views of Blackwater Canyon, where below, I could see the Blackwater River flowing through the rocks and trees by the canyon.

The cliff has a huge drop-off, so if you’re afraid of heights, I don’t recommend getting so close to the edge. Across from the trail, there’s a small parking lot, which is convenient if you’re Traveling with children and you don’t want to take the hike.

3. Visit Elakala Falls

There’s more than one waterfall at Blackwater Falls State Park, and aside from Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls is the next best thing! This one was a lot different than when we visited Blackwater Falls because it is actually a series of four waterfalls. To get here, we took the trail behind the lodge, made our way across the main bridge, and down a creek bed, which brought us face-to-face with the falls.

Elakala Falls is one of the unique falls at this park because of its staggered gray steps that are in the shape of a sculpture behind the falls. What I loved most was the water’s amber-green hue, a color it gets from the needles of evergreen trees.

4. Hike the Trails

As we made our way exploring and taking in the scenic sights, we couldn’t help but notice the amount of hiking trails here. Many are easy to take, but others are a bit slick from the waterfalls. There’s a sign for each trail that shows the difficulty level so that you can pick one that’s best for your skill.

We decided to take the Blackwater Canyon Trail, an easy hike that took us through the forest, past several lookouts, and through the falls. The trail also passes through the canyon and leads to fantastic mountain views.

5. Dine at a Smokehouse

After spending a lot of time outdoors, we decided to stop by The Smokehouse at Blackwater Falls. This place had a fantastic atmosphere, with tables lined up next to the windows, which gives you amazing views of the mountains. I opted for the pork belly burger with a side of mashed potatoes.

The burger was a mix of pork and sirloin and had peppered bacon on top. If you’re in the area, I couldn’t recommend this spot enough if you’ve worked up an appetite!

6. Head to the Golf Course

While grabbing a bite, our waitress told us about the 18-hole disc Golf course, so that’s where we went next. Behind the nature center was the first hole that made its way around the outer field. The tenth hole played through the woods and crossed the road. Hole eighteen made its way back towards the nature center and by the parking lot to finish up.

We purchased a disc at the Trading Company store across the parking lot. It was completely free to play. We enjoyed the layout of the disc Golf course, as it introduced us to the habitat that housed moths and butterflies.

Pro Tip: On crowded days, I recommend parking at the nature center as it’s one of the larger parking lots in Blackwater Falls State Park.

7. Take a Scenic Bike Ride

Although we enjoyed hiking to see the scenic views, there were many winding roads we took through a bike ride, especially surrounding some of the falls. There’s a place called Blackwater Bikes that will let you explore the trails by bike. We cruised along rural routes to see many locals and visitors kayaking on the Blackwater River.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want to bike, a chairlift ride will let you see the mountain views, or you can set up camp at the park’s campground.

8. Visit the Small Town of Thomas

From the Blackwater Canyon Trail, we went to the small town of Thomas, which sits on the Appalachian Highway. We walked past several restaurants and shops, which included a cozy coffeehouse, a florist, an antique store, a handmade condiments shop, a bookstore, and an art gallery.

We then stopped by the Purple Fiddle, a music venue that played live music and had delicious light apPetizers and local beers on tap.

Pro Tip: If you want to stay the night next to the Purple Fiddle, we noticed Cooper House Bed & Cocktail had rooms available for booking.