My family and I love visiting Morgantown, WV – it’s practically our second home. And, even though Morgantown has practically everything, there is one thing worth driving a little further south for – Valley Falls State Park in Fairmont, WV.
You may remember me talking about this 9-pound banana split at Poky Dot in Fairmont a few years back, and trust me, no trip to Valley Falls State Park is complete without stopping for ice cream on the way back!
About Valley Falls State Park in West Virginia
Valley Falls State Park isn’t a hidden gem in West Virginia, but every single time we’ve been to this park, it’s never overwhelmed with visitors. It’s practically a little piece of heaven without the crowd, which you have to admit, is pretty rare these days.
Located approximately 11 miles from I-79, Valley Falls State Park is an 1,145 acre state park that features; trails, waterfalls, and fishing. It’s a day use park, but be sure to pack for a picnic lunch because it’s pretty remote.
Though you do have cell phone service in most of the park, there really is nothing super close to the park except houses.
Our Visit to Valley Falls State Park
We’ve visited Valley Falls State Park years ago and we always said we would go back but we didn’t realize it would be so many years later. The kids didn’t even remember this waterfall!
And, while I don’t think Valley Falls State Park is one of those falls that I would place on my bucket list, the state park is one that you can really feel close to nature.
That’s one thing I love about every state park in West Virginia, no matter how busy the park, they don’t overbuild them and take away from the natural beauty of the park. The parks are simple and you can really feel that connection to nature when you’re in them.
The day we visited Valley Falls State Park, it was in the 50’s but it was still winter. And, honestly, if you’re going to visit this park, it is a lot prettier in the summer when the trees are green and flowers are blooming. In the winter, as you can see in the pictures, nature just does not do this waterfall justice.
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Even so, the waterfalls is still so picturesque and did I tell ya, you can get practically right up to it?*
If you’re looking for a peaceful day trip, Valley Falls State Park is a great place to visit. While we haven’t hiked any of the trails, I imagine the trails are pretty peaceful too.
And if you’re traveling with kids, Valley Falls does offer a small playground, gift shop, bathrooms, and there’s an actual train track that goes through the park. Though we didn’t get lucky enough to see a train go through on our visit, I imagine it would be pretty picturesque if you do.
Your turn, have you ever been to Valley Falls? I would love to hear your experience in the comments below.
Visit at your own risk, this post does not encourage you to do something dangerous or unsafe. Use caution when visiting this waterfall and always be vigilant. This park has had some past tragedies and there are 2 crosses sitting near the waterfalls edge.
Last Updated on 4 years ago by Crystal Carder