Blackwater Falls State Park is located in the beautiful mountains of Davis, WV. Our family has been to Blackwater Falls dozens of times throughout the years, with our most recent visit being just last week. Before traveling someplace new, I always do my research to find kid-friendly activities, family-friendly dining, and read tips from other parents to make our trips easier.

I have compiled some information and tips to help you make the most of your visit to Blackwater Falls State Park with your kids. Keep reading to find out why it is one of the most visited state parks in West Virginia.

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What to Know About Viewing the Falls

The main attraction of the state park is the magnificent Blackwater Falls. The waterfall is 57 feet tall and really is a beautiful sight to see! The water is an amber color due to the tannic acid from the fallen red spruce and hemlock needles. There are multiple ways to view the falls depending on your preference. You can see them from a distant, scenic view or experience an up close and personal view that is breathtaking.

The main trail to see the Blackwater Falls is the Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail. The trailhead starts in the parking area of the Trading Post and takes you to a viewing platform that offers great views of the falls. The trail is about 0.25 miles in length and has a lot of steps. There are multiple viewing platforms along the way and several areas to stop to take a rest and appreciate the views. It is not handicap or stroller accessible. The steps were great for my 6-year-old, but I had to carry our 2-year-old most of the way. If you have young kids, I definitely recommend a baby carrier to make it easier. There are some huge rocks along the trail that my daughters loved to climb on and made for a nice break along the way. The Boardwalk Trail is also where you will find the Blackwater Falls Almost Heaven Swing (see below for more information on these).

If you are not up to walking up and down a lot of steps, I would recommend taking the Gentle Trail. This is a short, paved trail that leads to a viewing deck overlooking the falls from a distance.

Activities for Kids at Blackwater Falls

Sled Run

Blackwater Falls State Park is home to the longest and fastest Sled Run on the east coast! Imagine sledding down a huge hill, racing against your friends and family and listening to the laughter of your kids while having a blast in the snow. The best part is you don’t have to drag your sled to the top of the hill each time. You hop on your sled at the bottom of the hill and ride a conveyor belt all the way to the top. There you go just around the corner and the fun begins! Our family had such a fun time doing this and we can’t wait to go back this year! The sled run is open December-February, weather dependent. I recommend booking your tickets online ahead of time to ensure you get the time slot you want. Each year, you can find the exact opening and closing dates of the sled run on the park’s website.

Nature Center

Blackwater Falls State Park is home to its very own nature center. The Harold Walters Nature Center offers free to low-cost programs and activities for both kids and adults. Their educational programs are meant to teach guests of the park more about nature, animals, and the world around them. Some examples of their programs are group hikes, crafts, movie time, bird identification, and programs based on animals that call Blackwater Falls State Park their home. You can check their website ahead of time for a list of scheduled activities if interested. Our family loves to incorporate travel into our homeschool curriculum and we plan on participating in some of the programs at the nature center as part of science for our daughter this year.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

If you’ve been a parent longer than a few minutes, you know that kids love to explore! There are so many places for both young kids and teenagers to explore at Blackwater Falls. With over 20 trails to choose from, hiking is a great option for kids to explore. We always make frequent stops along the way on our hikes when the kids find something interesting, they want to check out. Sometimes the journey of the hike is just as fun for the kids as the end result or location.

If hiking isn’t in the cards for your family, there are plenty of flat, open areas for your kids to explore. As parents, sometimes we think we have to fill our schedules with fun filled activities all day long to keep our kids occupied. Children learn by playing and exploring the world around them. What a better place to learn than a state park filled with grass, rocks, leaves, trees, streams and waterfalls?

What Season is Best for Visiting Blackwater Falls?

Any season is a good time to visit Blackwater Falls. You can walk down the trail to the Falls year-round, weather permitting. To help you decide when to visit, we will highlight the main attractions and our best tips for each season.

Summer

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you can swim at Pendleton Lake located in Blackwater Falls State Park. Looking for more summer water activities? You can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards for fun on the water. If you prefer a laidback lake activity, you can go fishing at the lake for trout, bass, catfish, and bluegill. There is plenty to do during the summer months and this makes for a great family vacation.

Fall

If you have never been to West Virginia in the fall, drop what you are doing and schedule your visit now! The fall foliage is beautiful, and you will see why West Virginia is referred to as Almost Heaven. Fall is a great time to explore the trails and nature. Especially if you don’t do well in the higher temperatures and humidity of summer.

Winter

If you are looking for adventure in the snow, Blackwater Falls has several options. They have over 10 miles of cross-country ski trails. Rent a pair of snowshoes or cross-country skis and hit the snow-covered trails for an awesome adventure and some great pictures.

The Blackwater Falls sled run is another great activity for everyone to participate in during the winter. See Sled Run above for more information.

We have been to Blackwater Falls many times in the winter and the Falls are beautiful with the snow and ice on the trees and rocks, highlighting the water. However, the temperatures are cooler on the main trail leading to the falls and most of the trail is shaded. The steps and rocks can become very slippery in icy conditions. I would recommend checking before taking small children down the main trail in the winter.

Spring

The spring weather is perfect for a visit to Blackwater Falls. Beat the heat and go before the hot temperatures of summer arrive. Spring is a great time to visit with kids and lots of local schools visit during the spring months for field trips.

Where to Stay Overnight

There are so many activities to do at Blackwater Falls State Park, that you might want to consider staying for a few days to make the most of your visit. There are several options for accommodations, both at the State Park and off-site.

The lodge at Blackwater Falls consists of 54 rooms and is a great choice if you prefer a hotel-type stay. It has a restaurant on site along with other amenities such as free wi-fi, television, and an indoor pool and hot tub.

If you are looking for a comfortable stay but aren’t the hotel type, a great option is their cabins. They offer several variations including classic cabins and vacation cabins. The amenities differ per cabin type, so be sure to check what each offer based on your preference. The cabins are available year-round and make for a great family getaway. They also offer several cabins that are pet friendly.

If you are looking to get a little closer to nature, you can camp at Blackwater Falls. The campground is open from late April through October. They have campsites for both tents and travel trailers available.

If these accommodations aren’t your style, there are many choices to stay outside of the state park. There are plenty of vacation properties nearby that you can rent from VRBO or Airbnb. These are especially nice if you are traveling with a large family or have special accommodation preferences. Wherever you decide to stay, you will be close to scenic views and surrounded by nature.

What are the Almost Heaven Swings?

The Almost Heaven Swings are handmade, wooden swings that are placed at some of the most beautiful and photogenic scenic views in the state. They are only found in West Virginia and make traveling within the state much more fun for the kids.

If you are traveling across the state of West Virginia, it makes for a fun adventure to “check off” these swings one by one off of your list. Our girls get excited whenever they spot an Almost Heaven Swing and run to get their pictures taken on them. We plan on visiting as many of the Almost Heaven Swings as we can over the next few years.

For complete details regarding these swings, including all locations and maps, please visit the West Virginia Tourism website. They describe the locations of these as the most Instagrammable spots in West Virginia and I wholeheartedly agree!

Recap

Traveling with kids to Blackwater Falls State Park doesn’t have to be complicated. There are plenty of activities that are family-friendly to enjoy at the park. Decide what season works best for your family by reading our above tips and book the trip! If you are short on vacation days and can’t make a long vacation out of it, a weekend trip is great! If at all possible, you can take a trip in the winter, we highly recommend the Sled Run. Of course, no trip to Blackwater Falls State Park is complete without taking one of the trails to view the beautiful, Blackwater Falls.