CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) — West Virginia residents and visitors can chase waterfalls by traveling the country’s first-ever statewide waterfall trail.
The trail will hopefully encourage people to get outside, reconnect with nature, and discover over two dozen waterfalls in the Mountain State. Travelers on the trail also have the chance to win prizes.
“We invite all travelers to put the West Virginia Waterfall Trail on their must-see list this summer and beyond,” said Chelsea Ruby, West Virginia Tourism Secretary. “Whether you reconnect with your favorite falls or find hidden gems, we want to reward your explorations with exclusive prizes that leave you eager to visit Almost Heaven again.”
Over 200 waterfalls can be found in West Virginia, and 29 of them are featured along the trail. Some of those waterfalls include Drawdy Falls in Boone County, Cathedral Falls in Fayette County and Blackwater Falls in Tucker County. The trail also features six waterfalls located in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, including Finn’s Falls and Sandstone Falls.
Several of the waterfall trail stops are within an hour and thirty minutes from Charleston, the Mountain State’s capital city.
Below is a full list of the 29 waterfalls on the statewide trail.
Southern West Virginia Waterfalls
The majority of Southern West Virginia waterfalls are in Fayette County, but some are located in Mercer, Raleigh, Wyoming counties and more.
The trail explores all sorts of waterfalls ranging from grottos tucked in the hills of a beloved Charleston park to cascades located just outside of a historic ghost town.
Brush Creek Falls — Athens, Mercer County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Campbell Falls — Camp Creek State Park and Forest, Mercer County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Cathedral Falls — Gauley Bridge, Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Coonskin Park Grotto — Charleston, Kanawha County (Region: Metro Valley). 
Drawdy Falls — Peytona, Boone County (Region: Hatfield McCoy Mountains). 
Dunloup Falls — Thurmond Road (WV-25), Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Glade Creek Grist Mill Falls — Babcock State Park, Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Kanawha Falls — Glen Ferris, Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Marsh Fork Falls and Black Fork Falls — Twin Falls Resort State Park, Wyoming County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Mash Fork Falls — Camp Creek State Park, Mercer County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Mill Creek Falls of Hawks Nest — Hawks Nest State Park, Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Turkey Creek Falls — Hawks Nest State Park, Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley).
Waterfalls in New River Gorge National Park
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the newest U.S. national park; the 63rd to be exact. It is located in Southern West Virginia and spans three counties: Fayette, Raleigh and Summers.
A total of six waterfalls can be found in the park within secluded coves or at the end of scenic trails.
Big Branch Falls — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Raleigh County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Butcher Branch Falls — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Finn’s Falls — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Fayette County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Glade Creek Falls — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Raleigh County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley). 
Sandstone Falls — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Raleigh County (Region: New River-Greenbrier Valley).
Note: There are ADA-accessible views at Sandstone Falls.
Other West Virginia Waterfalls
While most falls on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail are in Southern West Virginia, there are also some located in other regions such as Mountain Lakes, Mountaineer Country and Potomac Highlands.
In fact, West Virginia’s tallest waterfall, Blackwater Falls, is located in the Potomac Highlands region. The falls plunge about 57 feet over a rocky cliff at approximately 250 to 550 cubic feet per second.
Blackwater Falls — Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County (Region: Potomac Highlands). 
Elakala Falls — Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County (Region: Potomac Highlands). 
Falls of Hills Creek — Monongahela National Forest, Pocahontas County (Region: Potomac Highlands). 
Falls of Pendleton — Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County (Region: Potomac Highlands). 
High Falls of Cheat — Monongahela National Forest, Randolph County (Region: Potomac Highlands). 
Mill Creek Falls of Kumbrabow — Kumbrabow State Forest, Randolph County (Region: Potomac Highlands). 
Muddy Creek Falls — Muddy Creek Park, Preston County (Region: Mountaineer Country). 
Oglebay Falls — Oglebay Park, Ohio County (Region: Northern Panhandle). 
Seneca Creek Falls — Monongahela National Forest, Pendleton County (Region: Potomac Highlands). 
Upper and Lower Falls of Holly River — Holly River State Park, Webster County (Region: Mountain Lakes). 
Valley Falls — Valley Falls State Park, Marion County (Region: Mountaineer Country). 
Whitaker Falls — Elk River, Webster-Randolph county line (Region: Mountain Lakes).
Note: There are ADA-accessible views at Blackwater Falls, Falls of Hills Creek and Valley Falls.
How to participate and win swag
Waterfall Passport
To get started, visit the West Virginia Tourism waterfall webpage and register to have the trail passport sent to a smartphone. Travelers can stamp their passports by checking in at each location as they explore over two dozen waterfalls.
Prizes
The West Virginia Department of Tourism says “the more you explore, the more you earn.” They are rewarding waterfall chasers with exclusive gear along their journey:
- Check in at three or more waterfalls and receive a custom sticker;
- Check in at 10 or more waterfalls and receive an aluminum water bottle;
- Check in at 20 or more waterfalls and receive a waterfall wanderer t-shirt.
“From simple boardwalks to hilly treks, we want to make your efforts to experience our falls worth every mile. While out and about on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail, be sure to post photos of your explorations on social media using #AlmostHeaven.”
Chelsea Ruby, West Virginia Tourism Secretary
For more information on each location, visit the West Virginia Tourism webpage about the West Virginia Waterfall Trail. A map and more photos can also be viewed at that link.
