Fall for our Waterfall Tour
If you love watching and hearing a beautiful stream rushing over scenic cliffs and filling the air with the sound of pounding water, Grant County and the surrounding area is home to some of the most famous falls in the state. Spring is the perfect time to view with full streams and enjoy cool temperatures for hiking.
Start your journey at Greenland Gap, a scenic 820-foot-deep pass through New Creek Mountain. Framed by towering cliffs of Oriskany sandstone, the North Fork of Patterson Creek flows through the gap. Greenland Gap is the centerpiece of a 255-acre nature preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. Patterson Creek cascades down a 20-foot-high chute falls and empties into a 10-foot-deep pool at the bottom. The falls are located downstream outside of the preservation and create one of the most scenic and beautiful spots in the county.
Greenland Gap Falls
A short drive to nearby Tucker County will bring you to one of the most recognizable and photographed landmarks in all of West Virginia. The Blackwater river plummets 62 feet over Blackwater Falls and then continues to venture into the rugged Blackwater Canyon. Take the hike down to the base of the falls to feel the full power and majesty of this epic waterfall.
Blackwater Falls is just the beginning of your adventure in Blackwater Canyon. Shays Run descends into Blackwater Canyon and forms four beautiful falls known as Elakala Falls. The falls vary from 15 to 40 foot drops as they flow down the canyon. From Blackwater Lodge, it is an easy walk to the bridge over the first falls or you can see the full falls from across the gorge at Pendleton Point.
From Pendleton Point, you can access a great view of Pendleton Falls. These stunning falls are a result of Pendleton Run tumbling about 150 feet into the Blackwater Gorge. (Pendleton Falls is very difficult to get to and it is not recommended that you try to get to the main cascade. The traverse to the falls requires you to hike and scramble down Blackwater Gorge, which is steep and there are no maintained paths down).
Head to the town of Thomas to find the last two falls on your tour formed by the Blackwater River. Follow Douglas Road just outside of town to discover old, abandoned coke ovens and Douglas Falls. And only about another mile away, take in Albert Falls, not nearly as tall as Blackwater Falls, but some would argue that it is just as beautiful.