RV Rental Blackwater Falls State Park, WV

One of West Virginia's most photographed sites, Blackwater Falls is the park's signature attraction, meandering through the Canaan Valley before cascading 57 feet down a rocky canyon. The falls then flow through an eight-mile gorge lined with hemlocks, hickories, and red spruce. Admire the falls from several elevated viewing platforms or walk down the mist-shrouded steps to the base. The falls were named after the "black" water created by tannic acids released by fallen red spruce and hemlock needles.

There are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs in Blackwater Falls State Park, with more than 24 miles of trails to explore. The Pendleton Point Overlook is one of the most popular hikes and rewards you with sweeping views over the Canaan Valley. Other trails lead to postcard-perfect lookout points such as Elakala Falls and Lindy Point.

Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the sandy beach at Pendleton Lake is a great place to cool off. Bask in the sunshine, enjoy a picnic on the grass or make a splash with kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals. There are plenty of excellent fishing opportunities at Blackwater Falls, with the chance to reel in bass, catfish, trout, and bluegill. Just be sure to pick up a West Virginia fishing license before you cast a line.

Shaded by hemlocks, maple, and yellow birch, Blackwater Falls State Park campground is a fantastic place to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Allegheny Mountains. The campground offers 65 tent and trailer sites, 30 of which come with electric hookups. All sites feature picnic tables and fire rings – perfect for grilling hot dogs and roasting s'mores.

Like other top-tier state park RV campgrounds, Blackwater Falls offers modern bathhouses with hot showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities. Serviced RVs can take advantage of dump stations. Campground guests are welcome to pay a small fee and use the indoor pool at Blackwater Falls Lodge. You're also welcome to enjoy tasty barbecue, buffets, and a la carte meals at The Smokehouse restaurant.

The campground is open from April through to the end of October, with RV rental reservations accepted from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For the rest of the season, including the busy fall foliage viewing period, sites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Blackwater Falls is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring along the whole family when renting an RV.

Motorhome camping at Blackwater Falls State Park puts you in the heart of Tucker County, a charismatic corner of West Virginia dotted with mountain towns like Thomas and Davis. As well as gas stations and grocery stores, you'll also find microbreweries, farm-to-table restaurants, and independent galleries.

Venture further afield and you can discover pristine wilderness areas like Dolly Sods and the Monongahela National Forest. Both are laced with scenic hiking trails and offer a taste of the West Virginia backcountry. In fall, Tucker County lures leaf peepers from across the globe with some of the fieriest fall foliage in the United States. Morgantown is a great place to rent a camper near Blackwater Falls State Park and start your West Virginia road trip.

For a unique West Virginian experience, step aboard a heritage locomotive and ride the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad. Departing from Elkins, Durbin, Cheat Bridge, and Cass, the train rides take you to some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the Mountain State. Golfers will jump at the chance to tee off at the 18-hole, par 72 championship course at Canaan Resort State Park. In winter, the resort transforms into a snow-dusted ski area, with more than 45 trails to carve up.