When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and wet, with the falls at their most powerful after snowmelt and spring rain.
Pack Rain shell, warm layers, and traction for wet boardwalk steps.
Summer
Mild at elevation, pleasant for hiking, paddling Pendleton Lake, and the falls.
Pack Layers for cool mornings, sun protection, and water for canyon-rim trails.
Fall
The signature season, with brilliant color over Blackwater Canyon and crisp air.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and grippy footwear for the boardwalk steps.
Winter
Cold and snowy, a destination for cross-country skiing, sledding, and frozen-falls views.
Pack Serious insulation, traction, and ski or sled gear for the winter trails and run.
Top things to do
Blackwater Falls
The 57-foot main falls, tinted amber by tannic acid from hemlock and spruce needles. Reach it by a boardwalk of more than 200 wooden steps to a lower deck, or the ADA-accessible Gentle Trail to an overlook.
Lindy Point Overlook
A short spruce-forest trail to a wooden platform on the canyon rim, one of West Virginia's most iconic and photographed viewpoints, especially at sunset.
Elakala Falls and Pendleton Point
Elakala Falls is a multi-tiered cascade on Shays Run a short walk from the lodge, and Pendleton Point Overlook gives sweeping views of the canyon's deepest stretch.
Anchor the day around Blackwater Falls
Check road and trail status before committing to the high-country version of the plan. For one day in Blackwater Falls State Park, make Blackwater Falls the non-negotiable, add Lindy Point Overlook only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Elakala Falls and Pendleton Point as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Blackwater Falls: The 57-foot main falls, tinted amber by tannic acid from hemlock and spruce needles. Reach it by a boardwalk of more than 200 wooden steps to a lower deck, or the.
- 2Add Lindy Point Overlook: A short spruce-forest trail to a wooden platform on the canyon rim, one of West Virginia's most iconic and photographed viewpoints, especially at sunset.
- 3Use Elakala Falls and Pendleton Point as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Blackwater Falls's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Blackwater Falls State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Blackwater Falls State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Blackwater Falls State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Blackwater Falls
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Blackwater Falls
The buying guides that match what Blackwater Falls asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
This is a full resort park. You can stay at the lodge with its restaurant, in one of roughly 39 cabins, at glamping sites, or in the 65-site tent and trailer campground, all reservable online. The lodge and cabins are the comfort options for fall and winter; the campground is the budget base in the warm months. Nearby Davis and Thomas add inns, rentals, and dining when the park is full.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Book a Blackwater Falls cabin, lodge room, or campsite early for fall color.
Entry is free, but the lodge, cabins, glamping, and campground are the reservations that matter, and fall-color weekends in Blackwater Canyon fill fast.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
West Virginia State Parks handles lodge rooms, cabins, and campsites through its official lodging and camping reservation pages.
- About 65 tent and trailer campsites, many with electric, plus roughly 39 cabins and a lodge.
- Glamping sites add a third style of stay between camping and a cabin.
- Winter draws cross-country skiers and sledders, so confirm seasonal facility status before a cold-weather trip.
Where to book or verify
Official West Virginia State Parks lodging page for the lodge, cabins, glamping, and campsites.
Official park page for the falls, overlooks, trails, and winter recreation.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Blackwater Falls campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve online through West Virginia State Parks.
- Season
- Seasonal camping; the lodge and cabins extend into winter.
- Sites
- About 65 tent and trailer sites, many with electric hookups, plus a camp store.
- Close to the falls boardwalk and Pendleton Lake. The budget base; choose cabins or the lodge for cold-weather comfort.
Blackwater Falls lodge and cabins
Details- Booking
- Reserve online through West Virginia State Parks.
- Season
- Open year-round, the comfort option for fall and winter.
- Sites
- A lodge with restaurant plus roughly 39 cabins and glamping sites.
- The standout stay for leaf season and for ski-and-sled winter weekends.
Getting there and practical info
Treat the vehicle plan as part of the itinerary.
Road distance, road surface, fuel, and daylight can matter as much as the final trail or viewpoint.
Getting there
Get to Blackwater Falls State Park, then make the road plan honest.
- Access rhythm
- Car required
- Region
- West Virginia
Car strategy
Blackwater Falls is just outside Davis in Tucker County, in the West Virginia highlands about three hours from both Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. A car is essential, and the final approach climbs into the high plateau near Canaan Valley.
Car strategy
Mountain weather changes fast and winter roads can be snowy, so check conditions and allow extra time, especially for the boardwalk steps when they are icy.
Pair this with lodging: the closest bed is not always the simplest one if road time, road quality, or fuel stops dominate.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
No statewide permit; the WV Film Office brokers locations, and state park rules prohibit commercial enterprise, photography included, without written DNR permission.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the water at Blackwater Falls amber-colored?
The water gets its amber, root-beer tint from tannic acid released by fallen hemlock and red spruce needles upstream. The 57-foot main falls is the park's namesake, reached by a boardwalk of more than 200 wooden steps or the accessible Gentle Trail to an overlook.
Is there an entrance fee at Blackwater Falls State Park?
No. West Virginia state parks, including Blackwater Falls, do not charge a day-use entrance fee. You pay only for the lodge, cabins, glamping, and campsites.
What is the best overlook at Blackwater Falls?
Lindy Point is the most iconic, a short spruce-forest walk to a wooden platform on the canyon rim, especially at sunset. Pendleton Point Overlook offers the widest view of the canyon's deepest stretch, and Elakala Falls is a short walk from the lodge.
Can you visit Blackwater Falls in winter?
Yes. The park is a popular winter destination with cross-country ski trails, a sled run, and dramatic frozen-falls views. The lodge and cabins stay open year-round, but check facility status and road conditions before a cold-weather trip.