Blackwater Falls State Park

West Virginia

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The falls tumble into an 8-mile gorge lined by red spruce, hickory and hemlock trees. With more than 24 miles of trails, there are loads of hiking options; look for the Pendleton Point Overlook, which perches over the deepest, widest point of the Canaan Valley. There's an inviting lodge here as well as cabins and campsites ($23 to $26 per night).

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Climber standing on top of Seneca Rocks with his hands in the air. 567872638 autumn, boy, cheer, cliff, climb, climber, countryside, crag, destination, excited, exposed, exultant, fall, granite, happy, high, imposing, landmark, landscape, man, mountain, nature, notch, outdoors, peak, person, recreation, ridge, rock, rocky, rugged, rural, scenic, season, seneca rocks, stone, success, successful, summit, top, tourism, travel, trees, west virginia, wv, youth

    Seneca Rocks

    20.22 MILES

    A striking rock formation rising 900ft above a fork of the Potomac River, Seneca Rocks is one of the most recognizable natural features in the state. Rock…

  • Bear Rocks are a widely recognized symbol of West Virginia wilderness and among the most frequently photographed places in the state. They are a well-known landmark on the eastern edge of the plateau that includes the Dolly Sods Wilderness. They sit in a high-elevation heathland punctuated with wind-carved sandstone outcrops and is home to more than a dozen rare plant and animal species. Situated on the crest of the Allegheny Front, Bear Rocks afford vistas over the South Branch Potomac River. Visibility can extend eastward to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The Bear Rocks Preserve is a 1.93 km2 tract that is owned and preserved by The Nature Conservancy.

    Dolly Sods Wilderness

    10.31 MILES

    Red spruce trees, windswept boulders, valley views and boggy forests set a striking scene in the northern reaches of this remote but popular wilderness…

  • Swallow Falls State Park.

    Swallow Falls State Park

    26.73 MILES

    One of the most rugged, spectacular parks in the state. Hickory and hemlock trees hug the Youghiogheny River, which cuts a white line through wet slate…

  • Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

    Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

    5.06 MILES

    The 0.4-mile one-way Freedland Boardwalk Trail meanders through wetlands, a shrubland, a beaver pond and a limestone spring. Views of Canaan Valley,…

  • Deep Creek Lake State Park

    Deep Creek Lake State Park

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Nearby West Virginia attractions

1. Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

5.06 MILES

The 0.4-mile one-way Freedland Boardwalk Trail meanders through wetlands, a shrubland, a beaver pond and a limestone spring. Views of Canaan Valley,…

2. Dolly Sods Wilderness

10.31 MILES

Red spruce trees, windswept boulders, valley views and boggy forests set a striking scene in the northern reaches of this remote but popular wilderness…

3. Seneca Rocks

20.22 MILES

A striking rock formation rising 900ft above a fork of the Potomac River, Seneca Rocks is one of the most recognizable natural features in the state. Rock…

4. Swallow Falls State Park

26.73 MILES

One of the most rugged, spectacular parks in the state. Hickory and hemlock trees hug the Youghiogheny River, which cuts a white line through wet slate…

5. Deep Creek Lake State Park

29.87 MILES

The lake is most easily accessed via Deep Creek Lake State Park, which sits on a large plateau known as the Tablelands. The area is carpeted in oak and…