Blackwater Falls, West Virginia

I bet you can't guess why this park is called Black Water Falls ? It's actually because it is home to a 57 foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles (science!). You probably could have guessed that the falls aren't actually black but they are a nice shade of brown... To get down to the falls, there is a long stair case that will take you to the foot of the falls. Be careful because these stay pretty slippery due to the moisture from the falls. We recommend at least one person in your group wear a Lizard Tail Belt so everyone can grab on to keep from falling (and it'll still keep their pants up!). Thats how much confidence we have in our product. 

If you are making a day trip out of visiting Black Water Falls, after you see the waterfall, there are plenty more trails that we recommend to explore! Here are some of our favorites:

Our Favorite Trails 

Lindy Point Overlook: This is an easy 0.7 mile trail to a stunning overlook of the black water river. This trail can get muddy and there is minimal parking so be prepared.

Pendleton Point Overlook: This is another easy 0.9 mile trail that ends in a beautiful overlook of the Appalachian Highlands.

Elakala Trail: Water fall alert! This trail takes you close to Elakala Falls. You get so close that you can feel the mist! Perfect for a hot summer day. Sometimes you will even see people swimming in the falls or creek below.

What to pack 

As usual we recommend wearing your Lizard Tail Belt to keep you comfortable and stylish. Nothing ruins hiking more than saggy britches. Maybe a bear would be worse, but saggy britches are a close second when it comes to ruining a good hike. In addition, we would recommend bringing good, waterproof shoes/hiking boots, a bathing suit if you plan to take a dip, and snacks so you don't get too hungry while exploring the area.