53 Blackwater Falls Facts That Will Surely Astonish You

Waterfalls are some of the most interesting places to visit.

We believe that there are three main processes in a waterfall formation, part of the Earth's crust uplift or down-drop, river-diversion by blockage, and differential erosion of valleys. There are nine waterfalls identified: ledge, plunge, punchbowl, horsetail, cascade, staircase, cataract, segmented, and moulin.

Waterfalls have religious importance in many cultures. Waterfalls were the favorite topic for artists and musicians from ancient times. Due to their geographical importance and attractiveness, they have become major tourist spots worldwide.

Facts About Blackwater Falls

West Virginia, the mountain state, is the third most forested state in the US. The only state which is within the Appalachian Mountain Range completely is West Virginia. Let's explore some more facts about Blackwater Falls:

• Acres of wide-open public lands, the abundance of wildlife, and expansive lakes and flowing streams make it a major tourism center.
• West Virginia has more than 35 state parks, and the Blackwater Falls State Park is one of them.
• Blackwater River, in West Virginia, is a slow-moving channel running through wetlands and swamps, which makes this park a prominent spot for tourism and recreational activities.
• The water is acidic and transparent but darkly stained, looking like black tea. Major blackwater rivers are found in the Southern United States and the Amazon Basin.
• The Blackwater River in West Virginia is 34.3 mi (55.20 km) long and flows through the Allegheny Mountains.
• The Great Falls of the Blackwater River, considered as a cascading type, falls from a height of approximately 62 ft (18.89 m) at the head of the Blackwater Canyon, a heavily wooded gorge carved by the Blackwater River.
• The Great Falls is the centerpiece of the Blackwater Falls State Park. The Blackwater River enters the steep Blackwater Canyon at this point, leaving its leisurely route behind. In winter, it freezes completely.
• The Blackwater and the Dry Fork join together at the town of Hendricks and form the Black Fork. The Black Fork flows into the Cheat River, which becomes part of the Monongahela River and joins with the Ohio River, and finally gets into the Mississippi.
• About 2 mi (3.21 km) southwest of Davis, the Blackwater State Park protects red spruce and eastern hemlock upland forest, including tree species like yellow birch, red maple, black cherry, and American beech.

Things To Do At Blackwater Falls

Blackwater Falls State Park has emerged as a popular tourist spot in West Virginia. In addition to the scenic and serene atmosphere, Blackwater Falls State Park facilitates many other fun activities for its visitors.

• Blackwater Falls offers fun in all four seasons, in winter, sledding and cross-country skiing and boating and hiking in the summer.
• Blackwater River is rich in trout, and fishing is a major activity that can be done here. The area that flows through the Blackwater Falls State Park is a catch and release area. Fishing is also possible at Pendleton Lake.
• 3000 ft (914.4 m) above the Blackwater Canyon, boulder-strewn Blackwater River cuts a path through Monongahela National Forest, at a point known as Lindy Point overlook. A nature trail leads to this overlook and is found near the park lodge.
• Camping facilities are available at Blackwater Falls State Park, with a 65 unit tent and trailer campground. The maximum camping period allowed is for two weeks. Tenter campsites are located near the rugged Blackwater River, accessible with a short hike, and the base for a better view can be reached after crossing the bridge. However, getting into falls is not suggested, considering the height of the falls.
• Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge, located on the south rim of the Blackwater Canyon, offers 54 rooms providing a view of the forest gorge. Constructed in 1950 with mid-century architecture, the scenic views of the Blackwater Canyon from the back patio are breathtaking.
• There are 39 cabins in a wooded area near the lodge and 13 vacation cabins on the north side of the park.
• A variety of programs are organized to explore the natural and cultural history of the Park and the Blackwater Falls. These programs are managed by an organization called Nature Centre.
• There are many other small waterfalls and water bodies near and around the Blackwater Falls within the Blackwater Falls State Parks boundaries in West Virginia.
• A series of four smaller falls flowing from the stream, Shays Run, called Elakala Falls, is the second popular waterfall inside the Blackwater Falls State Park. With a height of 35 ft (10.66 m), the first one in the series is approachable from the Elakala hiking trail. A bridge over this first falls offers easy access and a view. However, the rest of the falls with heights of 15 ft (4.57 m), 40 ft (12.19 m), and 20 ft (6.09 m), respectively, are more difficult to access and don't have any official hiking trails.
• Falls Run, a multi-ledge drop of 30 ft (9.14 m), and Pendleton Run (falls) are the other smaller waterfalls within the Blackwater Fall State Park.
• Blackwater Falls is famous as a winter sports destination. The longest sled run on the East Coast is located in Blackwater Falls. An 8 mi (12.87 km) guided hike is also provided, starting from Blackwater Falls connecting to Canaan Valley Resort State Park.
• Pendleton Lake is equipped with kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, and standup paddleboards.
• Covering waterfalls, stone archways, and beehive coke ovens, miles of bike trails are available through the Blackwater Canyon and its stunning landscape.
• Geocaching enthusiasts can enjoy the hidden cache sites in Blackwater Falls. Annual spring wildflower, birding pilgrimages are some of the other fascinating activities available at the Blackwater Falls.
• During the summer months, Blackwater Falls has game courts outfitted for tennis, volleyball, and basketball, among other activities.

The History Of Blackwater Falls

The first written literature of the Blackwater Falls was in 1853 by David Hunter Strother. Since the 1800s, adventurers frequented the area that is now Blackwater Falls State Park as their favored destination for adventures. Let's explore the history associated with Blackwater Falls:

• The Blackwater Falls State Park, belonging to Tucker County in the state of West Virginia, is also home to the charming town of Davis. It's spread across 2358 acres (954.24 hectares) between Thomas and Davis, two major towns of West Virginia, with an elevation of 2897 ft (883 m).
• The Blackwater Falls State Park has been governed by the West Virginia Division of Nature Resources since its inception in 1937.
• The Blackwater Falls State Park, when it established, was consisted of 446 acres (180.49 hectares) overlooking the Blackwater Canyon, which was leased and donated to the state by West Virginia Power and Transmission Company, which then owned most of the canyon. By the end of 1957, the area increased to 1679 acres (679.46 hectares) with additional donations from West Virginia Power and Transmission company (489 acres) and around 744 acres (301.08 hectares) by the US Forest Service.
• In May 2000, the then West Virginia governor purchased 25 acres (10.11 hectares) and added it to the Blackwater Fall State Park. Another 100 acres (40.46 hectares) was donated by Allegheny Wood Products, which now owns the major portions of the Blackwater Canyon.
• An additional 500 acres (202.34 hectares) along the river upstream of the falls was bought from Allegheny Power by Governor Bob Wise in the year 2002, spreading the Blackwater Falls State Park to further dimensions and increasing it's attractiveness for tourism.
• History of the Blackwater Falls also marks at least four deaths; a local fell accidentally in 1933 during a flood, Rudolph Kendzior of Monongah, West Virginia, while cliff diving in 1937. A couple died in 1973 when the lady lost her footing on a slippery rock, and her husband lost his life while trying to catch her.

Unique Facts About Blackwater Fall

The falls of the Blackwater River, whose amber-colored waters descend five floors before twisting and tumbling over an eight-mile-long gorge, are the inspiration to name this as Blackwater Falls.

• The yellowish-green red spruce needles and the leaves and twigs of the Eastern Hemlock tree, when fallen into the river water, cause the formation of Tannic acid, which makes the water amber-colored or black.
• Blackwater River with fallen hemlock and red spruce needles plunges five stories, twisting and tumbling through an 8 mi (12.87 km) long gorge. This 'black' water coined its name as Blackwater River and the Blackwater Falls.
• The Blackwater Fall State Park offers around 20 mi (32.18 km) and 20 types of hiking trails. 320 ft (97.53 m) the long broad trail descends from the Falls' parking lot to a wooden walkway and overlook. A much steeper trail reaches the basin below the Falls. From a higher vantage point on the east side of the river, a longer trail, also known as Gentle Trail, accesses the falls.
• Allegheny trail, which is 1.2 mi (1.93 km) long and starts at the park entrance, towards the north, off state Route 32, and to the south of the riding stables. This trail is said to be somewhat difficult to walk.
• Balsam Fir Trail, 1.5 mi (2.41 km) long, starts near the Harold Walters Nature Center. The path extends through beech, maple grooves, and a stand of balsam fir. It loops back to the recreation building by way of the campground.
• From the park road in front of cabin number one to the dead-end at Cabin no. 26, Cherry Lane Trail intersects Shay Trace Trail. This mile-long is said to be somewhat difficult to manouver for cross country skiers.
• Dobbin House Trail begins at the Harold Walters Nature Center. It connects to the Monongalia National Forest Trail System through the maintenance road for 0.75 mi (1.20 km) across the dam of Pendleton Lake.
• Gee Haw Trail links to the beginner cross country ski loop connecting Harold Walters Nature Center with Supper Track Trail.
• Pendleton Trace Trail, with easy to moderate difficulty, the trail that connects the Harold Walters Nature Center and the North Rim Road has a length of 0.25 mi (0.40 km).
• Beginning near Cabin number nine and ending near Cabin no. 13, covering 0.5 mi (0.80 km), Rhododendron Trail passes through hemlock and hardwoods and connects with Balanced Rock Trail.
• Shay Trace Trail starts after the lodge at Shay Run and goes onto the base at the sled run warming hut. It crosses the Red Spruce Trail, the cabin area road, and Cherry Lane Trail in its 0.75 mi (1.20 km) long path.
• Stemwinder Trail with a blue blaze and blue square parallels the State Park boundary in a 65 mi (104.60 km) long path connecting Red Spruce Trail and Davis Trail.
• Lindy Point Trail is located 3000 ft (914.4 m) overlooking the Blackwater Canyon and 1 m past the sled run parking area.
• Balanced Rock Trail starts at the main park road and ends near Cabin 13. Across from Elakala Trail, it crosses Shay Trace and Red Spruce Riding trails.
• Davis Trail is 0.25 mi (0.40 km) long, starting at the stables. Leading to a network of trails in the Monongahela National Forest, it becomes more difficult outside the park.
• An extension of the Dobbin House Trail, Pase Point Trail, is difficult to cover, with a length of 0.7 mi (1.12 km) to Pase Point, running through hardwoods and rhododendron. It overlooks the North Fork of the Blackwater River.
• Red Spruce Trail, winding through spruce and hemlocks, is a primary X-C ski trail in winter. It originates at the barn and ends at the entrance of the cabin area.
• At the end of the Yellow Birch Trail, River Road Trail begins occupying an old railroad grade directly linking the town of Davis.
• Spudder Track Trail, a part of the beginner loop for cross country ski, provides access through Gee Haw Trail.
• Watertank Trail, providing access to Red Spruce Trail to skiers, starting off the Blackwater Lodge, follows a steep uphill grade and intersects Red Spruce Train in a T form.
• Coal and lumber used to be carried through The Blackwater Canyon Trail.
• The major ledge composed of Connoquenessing sandstone of the Middle Pottsville Formation, a mapped bedrock unit, the Blackwater Falls, is cited as the highest above-ground falls in the state.
• Blackwater Falls divides its waters into distinctive formations by a rocky prominence near the center of the celebrated falls, making its images recognizable instantly.