West Virginia's tallest waterfall at 57 feet, easily reached via boardwalk and wheelchair-accessible via a separate paved trail.
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Based on this listing's approximate location — see the note on coordinates below.
Blackwater Falls drops 57 feet over dark-tinted waters in the Monongahela Highlands, making it the tallest waterfall in West Virginia. Located within Blackwater Falls State Park near Davis, it is easily accessible via two separate routes suited to different abilities.
The Boardwalk Trail offers the shorter approach, a 0.5-mile round trip with a steep descent via 200+ steps to an observation deck at water level. For those requiring wheelchair accessibility, the park maintains a separate Gentle Trail—a fully paved, 0.25-mile walk to a dedicated overlook. Both routes are dog-friendly (on-leash), and there is no entrance fee to the park.
The falls’ distinctive amber-tinted water is characteristic of the region’s geology. Water flow is consistent year-round, making this an excellent destination at any season. The boardwalk and trails are well-maintained and accessible in most weather, though conditions can be slippery after rain.
Year-round; the falls flow consistently throughout the seasons.
Wheelchair accessible via the Gentle Trail (paved, 0.25 miles), which reaches an overlook; the Boardwalk Trail requires 200+ steps down to a closer observation deck.
Elakala Falls, a series of cascades on a nearby moderate trail in the same state park.
No fee or permit requirement was published on the managing agency's site when we last checked — confirm current conditions before you go, since these change.
Via a 0.5-mile round-trip trail rated easy by the managing agency.
Yes, per the managing agency's own page — but check current leash rules before you go.
We track 3 waterfalls in Monongahela Highlands.
There is 1 other waterfall we track in Tucker County. All Monongahela Highlands waterfalls →
wvstateparks.com
WV State Parks official trails page and park page, checked Sept 2026; no closure noted. Boardwalk Trail is listed as 0.25 mi one-way ('Easy'), doubled here for round trip, with 200+ steps down to an observation deck; the separate paved Gentle Trail (0.25 mi) is the park's ADA-accessible route to a Blackwater Falls overlook. Dog policy per general WV DNR state park rules: leashed pets (max 10 ft) allowed on trails.
Checked September 2026.