A Comprehensive Guide to Valley Falls

What was once a small Marion County town surrounding a booming grist mill is now Valley Falls State Park. Valley Falls is a beloved Marion County excursion — teeming with life, activity and possibility. Beautiful during any visit, plan your trip using this comprehensive guide. There you can explore nature, outdoor sports and history all at once.

 

Part of West Virginia’s waterfall trail, this state park offers one of the most accessible waterfalls on the list! And right in front of that waterfall, is one of the coveted Almost Heaven swings. Check off a state park, a waterfall and a swing in one fell swoop.

Route/times

This park offers activities and beauty all year round. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at sundown.

Directions

Get directions to Valley Falls on Apple Maps.

Find Valley Falls using Google Maps.

Use Waze to find Valley Falls. 

Parking

There are multiple parking options depending on what you want to do in the park.

To see the main falls, drive all the way down the hill, and park in the gravel lots. Walk across the
bridge for this truly amazing sensory experience.

For a downhill hike before seeing the falls, park at the top of the hill right before the gated entrance. The trails near the top include the Turkey Trot Trail and the Red Deer Trail. Winter time can mean a slippery downhill drive when you enter the state park. For safety during the snowiest days, park gates are closed, so follow this plan. (Keep in mind that you’ll be facing an
uphill hike back!)

For more hiking, mountain biking or trail running, drive halfway down the hill into the state park. A gravel lot will be off to the left and provides access to two trailheads: Deer Trail and Red Cardinal Trail.

History

The main falls is where you’ll find the past. Not much is left, but what is still there provides a glimpse to another time and place.

During the 1830s, a lumber mill was built there but was later turned into a grist mill in the 1840s. The mill and resulting community were very successful; they had a ferry, post office, shops, a factory and schools. Then, disaster struck. First, a fire followed by floods destroyed much of the town in the 1880s. Denoted with signs and plaques, pieces of the past still stand.
Walk around the grounds near the falls to see what remains. Read about the community that lived there — you’ll see a large plaque that outlines the history.

The Falls

The main falls are easy to get to. The path is paved, short and goes straight without any turns. Keep in mind that there is a paved hill to walk down (and then back up).

There are other falls located along the hiking trails. To find the closest one hidden along the trails, take the Rhododendron Trail. This trail is located at the parking lot to the right of the bridge. A fairly easy walk, the waterfall is a 20-minute walk from the parking area.

There are other falls that can be seen from the trails. These falls are not technically state park property, so be respectful of the land.

Hiking

Valley Falls State Park is known for its beautiful trails and impressive elevation. Included in the park’s property are nine miles of hiking and eight miles of mountain bike trails. Each trail is marked with color-coded blazes on the trees. There will be bike signs located on the trees as well, so you know if you need to watch out for bikers. Peruse the list of trails and make plans to tackle them all.

 

 

Hiking Trails:

Red Fox Trail – short .6 miles with a steep grade
Deer Trail – 1 mile out and back total
Wild Turkey Trail – 2.3 miles that are extremely steep on either end, but follows a mostly flat ridge
Rocky Trail – technical 4.1 mile loop with Red Cardinal and Rhododendron Trails
Red Cardinal Trail – technical 4.1 mile loop with Rocky and Rhododendron Trails
Dogwood Trail – easy 1.6 miles
Rhododendron Trail – technical 4.1 mile loop with Red Cardinal and Rocky Trails
Tygart Valley River Trail – easy .6 mile out and back

Trail Running

Have you signed up for a race and need to work on your endurance? Train for any upcoming race at Valley Falls! The technical trails and high elevation will get your body in shape for most ultra races and marathons as well as trail running events like Ragnar, Tough Mudder and Iron Man.

Elevation

 

Mountain biking

Find eight miles of mountain biking trails throughout Valley Falls.

Park at the top of the hill at the entrance gates or drive through the gates and park in a gravel lot to the left of the road. The Deer trail leads to a gravel road and ends near the railroad tracks by the falls. Across the road from the parking lot is the Red Cardinal Trail. Mountain biking is permitted on the walking trails, but there are some trails that are made for mountain biking.

Mountain Biking Trails:

Mountain Biking Trails:

Roadside
Black Bear Loop
Boundary
Copperhead
Fall line
Frog Pond Loop
Lady Creek
Red Rock
Sasquatch
Upper Deer
Turkey Foot

Elevation

Know just what you’re getting into! Elevation at Valley Falls State Park is around 1500 feet at the park entrance and closer to 900 feet near the river.

A five-mile loop around the park will get you 760 feet of elevation. That’s considered a moderate hike and a difficult trail run. Whatever you decide to do, you can enjoy going up, up, up and down, down, down.

 

Kayaking

Much like mountain biking down 750 feet, kayaking at Valley Falls will also have you flying into the air.

Put in at the still waters in Valley Falls, along the shore up-river of the main falls.

There is no waiver to sign, and kayaking is at your own risk. A life jacket and helmet are mandatory for white water kayaking. Rafting and swimming are prohibited.

After white watering what’s considered a beginner waterfall, you can get out and do it again or continue on to whitewater class three and four currents. Don’t want to go down a waterfall?

You can put in below the gazebo and face a few class IV and V rapids (no falls) on your way to Colfax. Scared? You can put in above the falls, which is very flat and easy to paddle — perfect for visitors wanting to fish from their kayak.

Take a mini kayaking trip from Valley Falls. Leave a vehicle at Camp Towel, 2.5 miles away, and kayak your way there.

Waterfalls are often classified separately in the whitewater rafting system, and can have their own specific ratings. The main whitewater rafting classification system (Class I-VI) covers rapids, but waterfalls are often treated as unique. Although Valley Falls is classified as a beginner waterfall, the rapids after it are more advanced.

Want to try? Come to the waterfall course taught each year at the state park.

Fishing

Step out onto the rocks at the falls and refresh with the fish. Fish found here include small mouth bass, catfish, musky and walleye. Valley Falls is a popular fly-fishing location, too. You can also kayak-fish here. Just be sure to get your fishing license or pass.

Bouldering

 

Bouldering

As you hike the trails, you’ll start to notice some very large rocks, or as we like to call them, a
natural playground. With the appropriate footwear and brave spirit, you can boulder from one
side to the other or from the bottom to the top. The bouldering here is technical but does not
include high elevations with rock formations spanning 20-40 feet high. Always bring and use a
crash pad for safety.

Beginners and intermediate boulderers can try their hands (and feet) at Valley Falls’ boulders,
which can be found on the Rhododendron Trail and the Rocky Trail.

 

Leisure

If you’re there to see the main falls, consider a picnic by the falls, at one of the picnic tables or under one of the pavilions. These are also available to rent for family reunions, birthday parties and other celebrations.

After enjoying the sights, take the kids to the playground where they can swing and climb. You can still hear the sounds of rushing water pouring over the falls.

Forget something? During the warmer months, check out the visitors’ center. Whether you need something or want something, they have many beautiful, interesting and Appalachian products. Find jewelry from the Pretty Pickle, a line of jewelry that incorporates dried flowers, and grab stickers from Loving WV, a quirky brand that shows how cool West Virginia is.

The Middle of Everywhere GeoTour includes this state park. Find the geocache – and all the others in the county – and get a digital souvenir on your Geocaching profile.

Photography

Valley Falls is a photography goldmine! Get beautiful landscape shots. If you have the patience to wait for them, you’ll get some impressive photos of animals and birds, too.

If you need photography done for an occasion, this is place. Get senior pictures, engagement, wedding, family and fun photos here in front of the falls and on the trails.

Drones are allowed following basic FAA guidelines.

 

Wildlife

Valley Falls is home to many species of flora and fauna. Visitors have seen deer, bears, turkeys, rabbits, owls, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, red tailed hawks, robins, sparrows, ducks, geese, heron, lizards, salamanders, water snakes, black snakes, frogs, turtles and more.

Vegetation includes the West Virginia state flower, the rhododendron, as well as easter lilies, wildflowers plus sycamore, paw paw, oak, hickory, maple and holly trees. You’ll see different tree species depending on where you are in the park. 1000 feet of elevation can really make a
difference!

Events

Valley Falls State Park is home to the EHQ. Choose your fate in this ultramarathon: 12 hours or six. With 750′ of vertical gain per 5.25-mile loop, it’s a challenging course. Endure – and enjoy – streams, rocky climbs, rolling trails, gravel service roads, single-track trails and beautiful falls. The race starts at 7 a.m., and the clock stops at 7 p.m. Only full laps count toward your total
distance.

Wild Turkey Fun Run is 50 miles of pure… fun? Considered moderately difficult, this 7.9-mile figure-eight loop has a single aid station in the middle. The runs include 50 Mile, 50k, 25k, 10-mile and 5-mile distances. And this one you don’t even have to pay for!

As mentioned before, learn how to navigate a waterfall at the annual waterfall class hosted by Rocky Mountain Kayak. Contact Jeff with questions at 724-331-9566 or email jeff@rockymountainkayak.com.

Get off your feet and grab your bike. The Valley Falls Enduro Race has four timed segments along a planned 14-mile racecourse. Experience some of the best hand-built features in West Virginia!

Less physical but just as action packed are the saw whet owl bandings. These educational and adorable events take place during the summer months. These are the only times the park is open at night. Learn about owls from expert Joey Heron as he captures the cutest pop-can sized owls.

Weddings

Valley Falls is so beautiful, you could have your wedding here. And many do! The small pavilion with the perfect background of the falls is a popular ceremony spot. There are large pavilions available to rent for an outdoor reception.

Contact the park with your questions: call 304-367-2719.

Nearby

Just 12 miles from Valley Falls State Park is Tygart Lake State Park. Stay in the lodge, play on the water or lay on the beach.

Pack your Valley Falls picnic by stopping at local places along the way. Hermosilla’s Deli has delicious Italian sandwiches, cannoli, pasta salads and more.

Dairy Creme Corner has some of the best ice cream in town along with fun summer foods like deep fried pickles, burgers and more.

Stay outside and mini-golf your way through Coal Country. This coal-themed attraction offers mini-golf, batting cages, a virtual coal ride and a museum – plus snacks!

Stop by the CVB for more information on things to do in Marion County.

Places to Stay

There is no camping at Valley Falls, but there are cute and convenient stays all around.

Find the perfect hotel for you. There are multiple ways to get to the state park. Staying in Pleasant Valley, White Hall or Fairmont all offer convenient routes.

Find the perfect vacation rental for you. Many of our vacation rentals are located in Fairmont and can be found on Airbnb.

Find adventures all over Marion. Request an Outdoor Recreation Guide today.