CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia waterfalls are attracting the attention of nature lovers with increasing frequency. With more cascades than almost any other state east of the Mississippi, the Mountain State is a top destination for those looking to explore breathtaking natural beauty.
Two major mountain ranges—the Allegheny Mountains and the Cumberland Mountains—cut across West Virginia. Both are part of the larger Appalachian Mountain system and play a crucial role in the state’s abundance of waterfalls. Their rugged terrain and high elevation drops, combined with year-round rainfall, create the perfect conditions for stunning waterfalls.
Whether you're a hiker, photographer, or weekend traveler, chasing West Virginia waterfalls is a must-do experience.
Renowned photographer and author Randall Sanger, known for his book “Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia,” has spent years capturing the most beautiful waterfalls the state has to offer. Below are eleven awe-inspiring "Almost Heaven" West Virginia waterfalls he’s photographed—each one a testament to the state's natural wonder and serene landscape.
Upper Falls of Wolf Creek
The Upper Falls of Wolf Creek is one of several West Virginia waterfalls that drop into the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The gorge is renowned for its high concentration of falls, which are created where tributary streams drop from the surrounding highlands down the steep walls of the gorge to join the New River.
Blackwater Falls
Blackwater Falls may be the best-known waterfall in West Virginia, partly because of its prominence as the centerpiece of Blackwater Falls State Park. The Blackwater River is so-named for spruce tannins that tinge its waters brown. To take this photo, Sanger said he left the established park trails behind and hiked along the river to capture the cataract's distinct curtain from downstream in the Blackwater Canyon.
Elakala Falls
Also within Blackwater Falls State Park, Shays Run plunges over three waterfalls, known as the Elakala Falls, in its descent to the Blackwater River. According to legend, a princess named Elakala threw herself over the edge of the first fall when her lover scorned her. In another, a girl-shy warrior named Elakala fell to his death while being pursued by two women. Here, Sanger captures the upper falls.
Mash Fork Falls
The Mash Fork of Camp Creek descends out of the forest south of Great Flat Top Mountain, protected by Camp Creek State Forest. Mash Fork Falls, one of two waterfalls in Camp Creek State Park, drops over a ledge near the park's Mash Fork Campground. The falls and nearby Campbell Falls are easily accessible and are favorite destinations for waterfall hunters in southern West Virginia.
Campbell Falls
Also in Camp Creek State Park, Camp Creek drops through a series of tiers at Campbell Falls, a short walk from the park's Blue Jay Campground. The tiers, or steps, are created by the erosion of layers of sandstone and siltstone. Both Campbell Falls and nearby Mash Fork Falls are favorite wading spots for visitors in the hot summer months, though both are also popular fishing holes, so waders should watch for fish hooks.
Douglas Falls
The North Fork of the Blackwater River plunges into a boulder-strewn bed near Thomas, West Virginia. Rocks along the fork have been stained orange by sulfides resulting from years of coal mining in the mountains, although the fork is being restored. Douglas Falls is a drive of only about seven miles from Blackwater Falls and Elekala Falls, and waterfall hunters often visit the three in the same outing.
Sandstone Falls
One of West Virginia's largest waterfalls, Sandstone Falls wanders for nearly a mile across the New River, tiered in places and dropping the river in a curtained cataract more than 800 feet wide. Here, Sanger captures the turbulence as the New turns into a channel near its highest plunge. The falls and surrounding islands are well-known landmarks within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Glady Fork Twin Falls
The falls of the Tygart Valley River at Valley Falls State Park aren't the only waterfalls within the park boundary. Glady Fork, a tributary of the Tygart, drops over a sandstone cliff here, very near its mouth on the river at Twin Falls. The Valley Falls were principal sources of power on the river, and the stone ruins of gristmills and spillways here are chief attractions in the park.
Dunloup Falls
Dunloup Falls drops over a sandstone cliff about a mile-and-a-half above the creek's mouth on the New River near the ghost town of Thurmond, West Virginia. The waterfall is among the most accessible in the area, although several other smaller falls are located along the stream and its branches nearby. The waterfall is famously on a favorite scenic route to Thurmond, where the National Park Service has established a seasonal visitor center.
Cathedral Falls
Another of the best-known waterfalls in West Virginia, Cathedral Falls cascades over a series of ledges in a punch-bowl geologic formation. A short walk from U.S. 60, the waterfall is a popular picnic spot, partly due to its accessibility and also because of the size and complexity of its falls, which include fans, horsetails, and plunges.
Three Falls of Hills Creek
The three waterfalls that descend Hill Creek together draw waterfall hunters from across the globe. The Falls of Hills Creek arise among the highest peaks in the Mountain State, protected by the Monongahela National Forest. In recent years, the National Forest Service completed a series of stairs and walkways that lead visitors to the third and highest falls.
From the iconic Blackwater Falls in Davis to the serene splendor of the Falls of Hills Creek in the Monongahela National Forest, a journey to discover West Virginia waterfalls offers countless opportunities for hiking, photography, and outdoor adventure. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a scenic road trip, exploring waterfalls in West Virginia is a must for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Find hidden gems and popular favorites with our guide to the best waterfalls in West Virginia – your perfect escape into wild, unspoiled beauty.
West Virginia waterfalls photographed by Randall Sanger
Many of Sanger's waterfall photos and other images of West Virginia and the surrounding states are available for viewing and purchase at RandallSanger.com.
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