Blackwater Falls State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- 65 campsitesAlso cabins, lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-259-5216
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 2,280 acres, Blackwater Falls State Park lies in Tucker County, about 10 miles east of Parsons.
Popular activities here are winter sports, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and biking. Its trail network totals roughly 20 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: 65 campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups and tent sites. Roofed lodging includes cabins and lodge rooms.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
Official wording
6 A.M. to 10 P.M.
April 28 – October 31
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Fees apply to lodging, camping, pools and activities.
Statewide fee rule from West Virginia's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- WV State Parks reservations (Inntopia-based, reservations.wvstateparks.com)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
And if you enjoy traveling with your animal companion, Blackwater Falls State Park even has 10 pet-friendly cabins!
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Season: The campground is open from May to October 31. Blackwater Falls State Park has a 65-unit tent and trailer campground with individual sites and a centrally located bathhouse with hot showers, laundromat and a dumping station. All campsites have electric hookups. The campground is open from May to October 31. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. A campsite reservation application is available here. Interested in Unique Places to Stay that includes Blackwater Falls, click here. | 65 | All campsites have electric hookups.Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Blackwater Falls State Park has a 65-unit tent and trailer campground with individual sites and a centrally located bathhouse with hot showers, laundromat and a dumping station. All campsites are equipped with electric hookups. The campground is open the last weekend in April through October 31. Interested in Unique Places to Stay that includes Blackwater Falls, click here.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Lodging: 54 units
- Event and Meeting Space
- Cabins: 39 units
Lodging Blackwater Falls Lodge sits on the Blackwater Canyon's south rim and provides a sweeping view of the densely forested gorge below. The lodge features a full-service restaurant and conference center, as well as a large lobby with a cozy fireplace and an on-site game room for the kids! Each of the 54 guest rooms has a private bath, phone wireless Internet and color television. Event and Meeting Space Blackwater lodge has a conference center with seating for 200. Cabins Blackwater Falls State Park has 39 cabins — 26 vacation and 13 deluxe. The vacation cabins are in a wooded area about a mile from the lodge. Each vacation cabin has WiFi, a flat-screen television, bath with shower and is completely furnished for your convenience. Our deluxe cabins sit on the north side of the park and are all four-bedroom units. These units come equipped with two full bathrooms, gas fireplace, air-conditioning, full kitchen with dishwasher, laundry machines, flat-screen televisions and WiFi. And if you enjoy traveling with your animal companion, Blackwater Falls State Park even has 10 pet-friendly cabins!
Things to do
BikingBoatingCampingFishingGeocachingHikingHuntingWinter sportsSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Trail | 1.2 mi | Somewhat difficult to difficult | This trail leaves the park to the north at the park entrance off state Route 32 and to the south of the riding stables. Overnight parking for trail usage is available at the Blackwater Lodge, but guests must register at the front desk. Distance: 1.2 miles, inside the park Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult |
| Balanced Rock Trail | 1 mi | Somewhat difficult to difficult | This trail begins at the main park road across from Elakala Trail, crosses Shay Trace and Red Spruce Riding trails, continues to Balanced Rock Trail and ends near Cabin 13. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult |
| Balsam Fir Trail | 1.5 mi | Somewhat difficult to difficult | This trail begins near the Harold Walters Nature Center, winds through beech and maple groves and passes through a stand of balsam fir. It then loops back to the Recreation Building by way of the campground. Distance: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult |
| Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail | 0.25 mi | Somewhat difficult to difficult | This trail starts at the Trading Post parking area and leads to a stone patio and boardwalk more than 200 steps down to an observation deck beside Blackwater Falls. This is the main viewing area for the falls. NOTE: For beginner access to the view, take Gentle Trail. Distance: 0.25 miles Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult |
| Cherry Lane Trail | 1 mi | Easy | This trail begins at the park road before Cabin Number 1, intersects Shay Trace Trail and continues to the cul-de-sac at Cabin Number 26. For cross country skiers, this trail is considered somewhat difficult to difficult. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Easy |
| Davis Trail | 0.25 mi | Easy | This trail begins at the stables and leads to a network of trails in the Monongahela National Forest. NOTE: The trail becomes more difficult outside the park and transitions to a somewhat difficult rating. Distance: 0.25 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Dobbin House Trail | 0.75 mi | Easy to somewhat difficult | This trail leaves the Harold Walters Nature Center by way of the maintenance road across the dam of Pendleton Lake and connects to the Monongalia National Forest Trail System. Distance: 0.75 miles Difficulty: Easy to somewhat difficult |
| Elakala Trail | 0.5 mi | Moderate | This trail starts at the south end of Blackwater Lodge, bridges the upper section with a great view of Elakala Falls, continues along the canyon rim and ends at the main park road across from Balanced Rock Trail. Distance: 0.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Gee Haw Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy to moderate | This trail connects the Harold Walters Nature Center with Supper Track Trail and links to the beginner cross country ski loop. Distance: 0.5 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate |
| Gentle Trail | 0.25 mi | Easy | This trail is a short, paved path to an observation deck overlooking Blackwater Falls. It begins at the parking area across from the maintenance area and ends at the observation deck. Distance: 0.25 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Lindy Point Trail | 0.3 mi | Moderate | Located one mile past the sled run parking area, this trail sits at 3,000 feet overlooking the Blackwater Canyon. The trail has a small parking area one mile below the sled run area. In the winter, skiers can ski to the overlook (1.37 miles). Distance: 0.3 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Pase Point Trail | 0.7 mi | Difficult | This is an extension of the Dobbin House Trail that runs through hardwoods and rhododendron to Pase Point, overlooking the North Fork of the Blackwater River. Distance: 0.7 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Pendleton Trace Trail | 0.25 mi | Easy to moderate | This trail connects the Harold Walters Nature Center with the North Rim Road. Distance: 0.25 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate |
| Red Spruce Trail | 1.25 mi | Somewhat difficult to difficult | This trail originates at the barn, winds through spruce and hemlocks and ends at the entrance to the cabin area. In the winter, the trail is a primary X-C ski trail to most park locations. Distance: 1.25 miles Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult |
| Rhododendron Trail | 0.5 mi | Moderate | This trail starts near Cabin Number 9, travels through hemlock and hardwoods and connects with Balanced Rock Trail near Cabin 13. Distance: 0.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| River Road Trail | 1.56 mi | Easy to moderate | This trail begins at the maintenance area road, where Yellow Birch Trail ends. This trail is an old railroad grade that directly links to the town of Davis. The trail runs along the Blackwater River, which provides good fishing opportunities for hikers. NOTE: Some vehicle traffic occurs on this trail. Distance: 1.56 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate |
| Shay Trace Trail | 0.75 mi | Moderate | This trail starts just past the lodge at Shay Run, crosses the Red Spruce Trail, the cabin area road, Cherry Lane Trail and goes onto the base at the sled run warming hut. Distance: 0.75 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Spudder Track Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy to moderate | Access this trail via Gee Haw Trail from the Recreation Building and the North Rim Road at either end. It is part of the beginner loop for cross country skiers. Distance: 0.5 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderate |
| Stemwinder Trail | 0.65 mi | Beginner (Hiking); Intermediate (Cross-Country Skiing) | This trail parallels the state park boundary and connects Red Spruce Trail and Davis Trail. The trail blaze is blue with a blue square. Distance: .65 mile Difficulty: Beginner (Hiking); Intermediate (Cross-Country Skiing) |
| Watertank Trail | 0.25 mi | Difficult | This trail begins across from Blackwater Lodge and provides skiers with access to Red Spruce Trail. It follows a steep uphill grade and forms a “T” intersection with the Red Spruce Trail. Distance: 0.25 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Yellow Birch Trail | 1 mi | Somewhat difficult to difficult | This trail begins at the park road near the lodge entrance, crosses the stable entrance road and continues to the maintenance area road. Hikers can then cross the park road to the Gentle Trail. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Somewhat difficult to difficult |
Trail descriptions from the park
While the Blackwater Falls are the main attraction at Blackwater Falls State Park, there’s much more to discover while you’re here! The park offers more than 20 milents. Hiking guides for Blackwater Falls are available at the park office. Additionally, The Allegheny Trail (ALT), a long distance trail, passes through a section of Blackwater Falls State Park. To learn more about the ALT, click here. [trailcta]
Swimming
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, swimming is available at Pendleton Lake. Blackwater Falls Lodge also has a small indoor pool for registered lodge and cabin guests. Registered campground guests may use the indoor pool for a nominal fee. At nearby Canaan Valley Resort, a large outdoor heated pool is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.
Boating and paddling
Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, the boathouse at Pendleton Lake is a perfect stop for starting your fun in the sun. You can rent single kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards. After Labor Day, boat/floatation rentals are available on weekends only thru the fourth Sunday in October, weather dependent. For fishing license information click here. Pendleton Lake is in the Nature Center area. There is ample parking for lake use, swimming, nature center and programs and disc golf in this location.
Fishing
There are many great fishing opportunities at Blackwater Falls State Park! you can catch bass, bluefill, catfish and trout at Pendleton Lake. The nearby Blackwater River also is regularly stocked with trout in the spring and summer. Before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com. If you’re planning a fishing trip and need overnight accommodations, check in to a cabin or lodge room. But hurry! They book up fast. Make you reservation by clicking Book Now! Fishing in Blackwater Falls State Park
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
Lodging
- Cabins
- Lodge or inn rooms
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd
Davis, WV 26260 - Nearest town
- Parsons — about 10 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.1077, -79.4976
- Phone
- 304-259-5216
- blackwaterfallssp@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 2, 2026
- West Virginia State Parks park finder: window.parks JSON embedded in the /parks/ page (WordPress page + park post with ACF meta)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Blackwater Canyon.jpg — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), Bernini123
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology