Waterfalls of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands

The mountain streams and rugged terrain make West Virginia a great location for waterfall seekers. The state is home to over 200 waterfalls, and 29 of the most stunning of these are featured on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail. The Potomac Highlands region could be the best in almost heaven for waterfall chasing. It contains some of the most breathtaking and recognizable falls the state has to offer. This road trip follows the trail to 8 waterfalls located in the region.

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Falls of Hills Creek

Hillsboro, WV ● 38.17658, -80.33674

Start your trip at a highlight of the Monongahela National Forest, the Falls of Hills Creek, located just off West Virginia Route 39. Follow the 1.3-mile out-and-back trail down a narrow gorge to spectacular views of 3 different waterfalls, with each one being larger than the last. They cascade from heights of 20, 45 and 65 feet; the last is the second highest in West Virginia.

Whitaker Falls

Monterville, WV ● 38.52594, -80.18409

Enjoy the views from the Highland Scenic Highway on the drive of just over an hour to the next destination. Whitaker Falls offers a much different experience than the previous stop. It is a smaller series of cascades located on a much wider, calmer stream, and offers a great chance to relax and take in the beautiful greenery surrounding the falls.

Mill Creek Falls of Kumbrabow

Huttonsville, WV ● 38.68174, -80.05199

An hour’s drive will bring you to Mill Creek Falls of Kumbrabow. Enter Kumbrabow State Forest and follow signs to Mill Creek Falls, then take the wooden steps down to a more secluded feeling waterfall that falls from 20 feet high into the pool below. This area is a popular swimming hole and Mill Creek is considered by many to be one of the best native brook trout streams in West Virginia.

High Falls of the Cheat

Glady, WV ● 38.77620, -79.77799

About an hour and a half drive from the Kumbrabow State Forest and on Shaver’s Mountain is where you can find the High Falls of the Cheat. These falls are some of the most distinct in the mountain state due to their short height but width of over 100 feet and the horseshoe-shaped rocks they flow over. Viewing the power of these falls does require the most work of any on this trip, as you will have to hike 7 miles with a steady grade increase.

Seneca Creek Falls

Job, WV ● 38.82312, -79.48957

Another hour’s drive will bring you to another secluded waterfall that requires a hike to reach, Seneca Creek Falls. If you make the 5-mile trek that passes multiple streams, you will be rewarded with a majestic waterfall seemingly straight out of a dream at the base of the highest peak in West Virginia, Spruce Knob.

Falls of Pendleton

Davis, WV ● 39.11464, -79.50129

It is just under an hour’s drive to the last three waterfalls on this journey since they are all contained within Blackwater Falls State Park, just outside the charming small town of Davis, WV. The Falls of Pendleton may be the lesser known of the three but is absolutely worth a stop. You can view Pendleton Run cascading down over moss-covered cliffs from further away at a roadside overlook across Blackwater Canyon, or get a much closer glimpse if you take a slightly more rigorous and steep hike directly down to the falls.

Elakala Falls

Davis, WV ● 39.10782, -79.49782

Also found in Blackwater Falls State Park is Elakala Falls, which is actually a series of 4 waterfalls. Elakala Trail is a half-mile path that begins by the Blackwater Falls Lodge and provides several spectacular views of these beautiful waterfalls.

Blackwater Falls

Davis, WV ● 39.11301, -79.48298

End this tour of West Virginia waterfalls at one of, if not, the state’s most iconic, Blackwater Falls is always a sight to behold, regardless of the season. The Blackwater River, which gets its name from its dark amber color caused by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles, plunges 57 feet, creating a powerful but awe-inspiring scene.

If you would like to follow along this road trip, you can access the map here.

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Waterfalls of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands

Falls of Hills Creek

Falls of Hills Creek

Whitaker Falls

Whitaker Falls

Mill Creek Falls of Kumbrabow

Mill Creek Falls of Kumbrabow

High Falls of the Cheat

High Falls of the Cheat

Seneca Creek Falls

Seneca Creek Falls

Falls of Pendleton

Falls of Pendleton

Elakala Falls

Elakala Falls

Blackwater Falls

Blackwater Falls

Discover Featured Falls

Sandstone Falls

Glade Creek Grist Mill Falls

Big Branch Falls

Turkey Creek Falls

Drawdy Falls

Coonskin Grotto

Dunloup Falls

Seneca Creek Falls

Falls of Hills Creek

Mill Creek Falls of Hawk’s Nest

Glade Creek Falls

Valley Falls

Upper and Lower Falls of Holly River

Oglebay Falls

Mill Creek Falls of Kumbrabow

Kanawha Falls

Muddy Creek Falls

Finn’s Falls

Elakala Falls

Cathedral Falls

Campbell Falls

Brush Creek Falls

Marsh Fork Falls and Black Fork Falls

Falls of Pendleton

Butcher Branch Falls

Mash Fork Falls

Whitaker Falls

High Falls of the Cheat

Little Whitestick Falls

Pipestem Falls

Mann’s Creek Falls

White Oak Falls

Flanagan Branch Falls

Westerly Falls

Loopemount Waterfall

Tucker Falls

Cranberry Creek Cascades

Falls Mill

Parkinson’s Waterfall