Not every West Virginia waterfall adventure requires a long hike. Across the Monongahela National Forest region’s high elevations, waterfalls tumble alongside roads, fish hatcheries, and riverside drives, visible from pull-offs and overlooks without setting foot on a trail. Whether you’re passing through on a scenic drive or looking for a quick stop between longer adventures, these roadside waterfalls deliver the drama of West Virginia’s mountain water without the mileage.
Roadside Waterfalls
Spring Run Falls
Just outside the Spring Run Trout Hatchery, birthplace of West Virginia’s iconic Golden Rainbow Trout, Spring Run Falls drops nearly 40 feet alongside a winding mountain road where the stream rushes toward the South Branch of the Potomac. It’s an easy stop for families on a drive through Grant County, and anglers should take note: a public-access, fly-fishing-only section of Spring Run sits just south of the hatchery, making this a worthwhile destination even beyond the falls.
Directions from Petersburg: (15-Minute Drive) From Petersburg’s South Main Street / US-220, turn left onto South Mill Creek Road for approximately 4 miles. Keep left onto Spring Run Road for 2 miles, stopping just past the Hatchery.
Falls of Pendleton
Blackwater Falls State Park is synonymous with waterfalls, and the Falls of Pendleton offers one of the easiest views in the park, with a dedicated roadside overlook with no walking required.
The Falls of Pendleton is actually a series of four waterfalls. While the largest drop is nearly 35 feet, the waters of Pendleton Creek, which flow from nearby Pendleton Lake, descend nearly 1,800 feet to the Blackwater Canyon below. There’s no official trail to the falls, so the overlook is your best vantage point. Early spring is the ideal time to visit, when just enough new green leaves bring the scene to life, but the foliage hasn’t yet filled in enough to block the view.
Directions from Davis: (10-Minute Drive) From Davis’ WV-32, turn left onto Blackwater Falls Road and continue for 1 mile to the intersection. Keep left on Blackwater Lodge Road for 1.5 miles, just past the Blackwater Falls Lodge, to the overlook.
Albert Falls & Teresa Falls
While you’re in the Thomas and Davis area, it’s worth making a stop in the Monongahela National Forest’s section of the Blackwater Canyon, arguably the waterfall capital of West Virginia! The easiest to access is undoubtedly the 8-foot Albert Falls, visible from a small two-car pull-off along the roadside.
Less than a mile down the road is the humble Teresa Falls. Although Teresa’s cascade only drops about 4 feet, its remarkably smooth appearance makes it a standout. The North Fork of the Blackwater features several additional waterfalls, including the iconic Douglas Falls and Kennedy Falls, though you’ll need to lace up your hiking boots to reach those.
One thing you’ll notice at these falls is the distinctive smooth, orange-tinted sandstone that lines the creek bed and cascade faces. It’s a striking look, but it isn’t a quirk of geology; the coloring is actually the result of acid mine drainage and iron precipitation, a lasting imprint of the region’s coal and timber industrial heritage on the landscape.
Directions from Thomas: (8-Minute Drive) From US-48, turn right onto Douglas Road and continue for 1 mile. Take a slight left onto Rail Falls Road and continue for 1 mile to the waterfalls. The road may be bumpy, but it is passable for most vehicles driving slowly.
Whitaker Falls
Located at the border of Randolph and Webster Counties is one of the region’s most unusual geological features. Whitaker Falls sits on the Elk River just after it resurfaces from its subterranean passage through the karst landscape. The river disappears underground upstream, flows through a network of caverns, and then emerges dramatically. While the waterfall is only about 6 feet high, it spans the entire 100+ foot width of the river. The pool below is popular for swimming and fishing in warmer months, and the broad cascade is visible right from the road.
Directions from Elkins: (60-Minute Drive) Take US-219 South from Elkins for 31 Miles, turning right at the Huttonsville intersection. Turn right onto WV-15 and drive for 4 miles. Turn left on Valley Fork / County Rd. 49 for another 6 miles to Whittaker Falls.
Directions from Cowen: (60-Minute Drive) Take WV-20 North from Cowen for 14 miles, then turn right in Webster Springs onto WV-15 for another 4 miles. Take a slight right onto Bergoo Road and continue for 15 miles to Whitaker Falls.
Mill Creek Falls
Along the edge of the Otter Creek Wilderness, Parsons’ River Road follows the Black Fork upstream from town, and along the way, several small waterfalls descend from Backbone Mountain’s Big Run Bog down the steep canyon walls to meet the river. Mill Creek Falls is subdued, but perhaps one of the most tranquil off-the-beaten-path spots in the Northern Monongahela National Forest.
Keep your eyes on the hillside on the approach, though, as multiple cascades appear along the drive, especially when water levels are up. Dispersed campsites line the road as well, making this a solid option for an overnight trip with waterfall views and excellent fishing right from camp!
If you’re looking for even more hidden Mon Forest Falls that haven’t made it onto the West Virginia Waterfall Trail, you can also catch a few small roadside waterfalls in Parsons’ Fernow Experimental Forest