CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Waterfall Trail has surpassed 125,000 check-ins since its launch in 2022, according to officials at the West Virginia Department of Tourism.
To date, more than 14,000 prizes have been awarded to participants for their waterfall explorations, according to state Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby.
“To have had travelers from all 50 states and 48 countries get off the beaten path and participate in this initiative is incredible," Ruby said. "Exploring West Virginia’s stunning landscapes is the perfect way to leave the screens behind and reconnect with the ones you love most.”
Created in celebration of Almost Heaven’s natural beauty, the trail has expanded to include more than 40 falls throughout West Virginia. From roadside wonders to rolling cascades reached after multi-mile treks, the trail features stops for travelers of all kinds.
As the first waterfall trail in the country, the West Virginia Waterfall Trail continues to receive national attention and has been recognized by top-tier publications such as Outside, National Geographic, and Southern Living.
Cathedral Falls, Kanawha Falls, and Blackwater Falls have remained some of the favorite falls among Waterfall Trail participants since the trail was launched.
“I continue to be amazed by the success of the West Virginia Waterfall Trail,” Ruby said.
How to Participate in the Waterfall Trail
Checking into the West Virginia Waterfall Trail is a simple process made possible by Bandwango, a travel technology platform that makes checking in at each location quick and easy.
To get started, visit WVTourism.com/waterfalls and register to have the West Virginia Waterfall Trail passport delivered straight to your smartphone. Those who have already registered and want to restart their adventures can text “resend waterfall trail passport” to 1-888-921-5333 to be connected with a support agent.
The W.Va. Department of Tourism rewards waterfall chasers with exclusive gear along the way:
- 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.
- Check in at all locations and receive a limited edition letterpress print.
Geology, Geography, and Waterfalls
Entirely with the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia’s dramatic landscape is more than just a scenic backdrop—it’s the very reason waterfalls thrive here. The state’s high relief, rugged terrain, and deeply incised river valleys create ideal conditions for waterfalls to form.
Over centuries, streams erosively exploited variations in rock hardness—from resistant sandstones, shales, and carbonates—to carve cascades where resistant layers spill over more erodible ones. With more than 200 waterfalls peppering the state, West Virginia proudly claims the title of one of the most waterfall-rich regions in the eastern United States.
Why waterfalls are common in W.Va.
West Virginia’s geological makeup is central to its abundance of waterfalls. The state’s mountainous terrain, sculpted by the Allegheny and Cumberland ranges, provides steep gradients and narrow stream channels—prime settings for drops and cascades. Streams often encounter stratified rock layers: harder caprocks over softer substrata. As water erodes the underlying softer rock, overhangs develop, leading to the formation of falls. This combination of geology and topography explains why, in West Virginia, waterfalls naturally emerge in abundance, particularly as rivers plunge into deep canyons or run off ridges.
Where most waterfalls occur in West Virginia
Though waterfalls can be found statewide, they are notably concentrated in two regions:
- The Allegheny Highlands (northern and eastern West Virginia): This area, anchored by the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny Plateau, hosts iconic falls such as Blackwater Falls—a dramatically amber‑tinted cascade plunging about 57 feet—and Elakala Falls, a four‑tiered sequence along Shays Run. The region also includes Falls of Hills Creek, Falls of Pendleton, Seneca Creek Falls, and others tucked into deep forest hollows
- The New River and Greenbrier Valleys: Here, within and around the New River Gorge (now a national park), cascades like Cathedral Falls (visible from US-60) and Sandstone Falls stand out. Many others—Big Branch Falls, Finn’s Falls, Butcher Branch Falls, and more—dot the region’s uneven land and old coal‑era valleys. Counties such as Fayette, Raleigh, Mercer, Wyoming, Boone, and beyond host dozens of falls, whether crowd‑favorite or hidden treasure.
The West Virginia Waterfall Trail is having an impact
The West Virginia Waterfall Trail not only provides a fun, gamified way to explore natural beauty, but it also links geology, geography, and tourism into one thoughtful outreach. By directing visitors to both iconic and lesser‑known cascades across disparate regions, it showcases Almost Heaven’s diverse landscape while boosting local outdoor economies and encouraging conservation awareness. The program’s digital format makes it accessible—even in low‑service areas—and its rewards foster continued exploration and appreciation.
West Virginia’s abundance of waterfalls stems from its dramatic geology and mountainous terrain. These waterfalls are concentrated in regions like the Allegheny Highlands and the New River Gorge area. And now, through the pioneering West Virginia Waterfall Trail, the state has transformed waterfall‑chasing into a structured and rewarding statewide adventure—one that invites explorers to roam “country roads” and discover why West Virginia truly is “Almost Heaven.”
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