Being part of Blackwater Falls State Park helps. Trails to Elakala Falls are generally maintained and signed, and the park is the first place to check for closures before you go.
It is also one of the few falls we can link to a live USGS stream gauge, so you can check how much water is coming down before you leave home.
What brings people back to Elakala Falls is how different it looks from one visit to the next. A wet spring week and a dry August afternoon can feel like two different places.
Geology and background
What makes Elakala Falls special
Elakala Falls is not one waterfall but four. Shays Run steps down in four falls on its way into the Blackwater Canyon in West Virginia, all within Blackwater Falls State Park. Each of the four has its own shape, and the walk between them is the experience: the run steps down into the canyon, and each fall is a different view of the same water finding its way down.
Photographers know this place well. The falls are popular with them, and for a clear reason: the first waterfall is easy to reach, while the other three see relatively low traffic. That split is rare. You can have the easy view with company, or walk on to the quieter falls and have the canyon more or less to yourself.
Its nearest neighbour is Albert Falls, 1.9 miles away. The next falls on the list are much further out, so Elakala stands more or less on its own ground, with the canyon and the park around it.
Use the coordinates, not the name, to navigate: map apps often point waterfall searches at the wrong lot or the far side of the stream. Save an offline map before you lose signal.
Best time and crowds
A stream gauge is linked on this page: check the live flow before you go. Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same falls can look half the size.
The first waterfall is the busy one, and it is easy to reach. The other three see relatively low traffic, so walk past the first fall if you want the canyon quieter.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Walk past the first waterfall: the other three in the series see relatively low traffic.
Check the live gauge before you go: four small falls show low water more than one big one does.
Pair it with Albert Falls, 1.9 miles away.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Most waterfalls form where a stream crosses from hard rock onto softer rock. The soft layer wears away faster, the hard lip is left overhanging, and over thousands of years the fall slowly cuts its way upstream.
Water flow and seasons
The stream that feeds Elakala Falls is tracked by USGS gauge 03066000. A reading well above the seasonal median means a fuller fall, and usually a wetter, muddier trail.
Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
We do not have a trail length for Elakala Falls yet. Some falls are a few steps from a parking area, others take a real hike, so check the park or a trail app before you set out.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
Facilities depend on Blackwater Falls State Park: larger parks usually have a signed trailhead, restrooms and a parking area, while smaller reserves may have none of these.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
No entry fee is listed. Parks may still charge for parking or day use, and federal lands often accept an annual pass instead.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Elakala Falls
Elakala Falls is in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (39.10717, -79.49928) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our West Virginia waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Elakala Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Arrive early or late. The middle of a summer weekend is peak time almost everywhere, and small trailheads can be full by 10 a.m.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
Without a listed trail length, plan for half a day: enough time to find the trailhead, walk in, spend an hour at the water and walk out without rushing.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Elakala Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Elakala Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Elakala Falls, West Virginia located?
Elakala Falls is in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia. Its GPS coordinates are 39.10717, -79.49928.
What kind of waterfall is Elakala Falls, West Virginia?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Elakala Falls?
Its height has not passed a source check yet, so we do not show a number or include it in tallest lists.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
No fee is listed, though parking or day-use fees may apply. Most falls are open dawn to dusk; check the managing agency for seasonal closures.
Is Elakala Falls good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
Check USGS gauge 03066000 for today’s streamflow, and the last three days of rain in the weather panel.
The bottom line
Elakala Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Go early, check recent rain, wear grippy shoes, and give yourself time to sit and listen once you get there.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
Leave a waterfall report