Valley Falls State Park in Fairmont, West Virginia, is the perfect place to get away from it all. The park offers several excellent trail options that provide stunning scenery year-round, including excellent views of multiple emerald pools and rushing falls in the Tygart Valley River. So the next time you want to get out and enjoy a pristine river hike and an emerald lagoon in West Virginia, head to the mountains of Marion County!
Valley Falls State Park in Fairmont was originally a lumber and gristmill community, formed to take advantage of the rushing waters of the powerful Tygart Valley River.
Eric Aldridge/Alltrails
Now you can visit this state park to hike some of the 18 miles of trails in West Virginia that will take you past the river and the ruins from the historical mills.
Sherry Bailey/Alltrails
The park is perhaps best known for its waterfalls.
Sherry Bailey/AllTrails There’s a series of four of them, some hidden in the forest, some rushing through the bottom of the wide canyon, but all pooling into placid bowls at their base.
The falls form stunning emerald pools all along the river that provide a stark contrast to the rushing whitewater.
James Nichols/Alltrails
You can access these falls on the easy one-mile Valley Falls Trail, but if you’re up for it, most hikers prefer the more moderate four-mile Valley Falls-Rocky-Rhododendron Loop Trail.
Doug Neidholdt/Alltrails
In the spring, watch for the rhododendron blooms. In the summer, enjoy perching on the huge sandstone boulders that border the lagoon downstream of the main falls. In the fall, the foliage is stunning, and in the winter, you can see even more of the surrounding river and mountain views.
Sherry Bailey/AllTrails Basically, there’s no wrong time to visit one of the best hidden gems in West Virginia!
To learn more about the hikes and other activity options at Valley Falls State Park, visit their website. For another easy hike to a series of emerald pools and waterfalls, consider Douglas and Albert Falls near Blackwater Falls State Park.
Eric Aldridge/Alltrails
Sherry Bailey/Alltrails
Sherry Bailey/AllTrails
There’s a series of four of them, some hidden in the forest, some rushing through the bottom of the wide canyon, but all pooling into placid bowls at their base.
James Nichols/Alltrails
Doug Neidholdt/Alltrails
Basically, there’s no wrong time to visit one of the best hidden gems in West Virginia!
Have you been to the emerald lagoon in West Virginia? What time of year did you go? Let us know about your experience in the comments!
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Address: Valley Falls State Park, 720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Emerald Lagoon In West Virginia June 23, 2021 Melissa M. What are some of the best hikes in West Virginia? If you’re up for a long hike, specifically one that’s 16.5 miles long, the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek loop trail through the Monongahela Forest is said to be one of the best in the state. This trek takes hikers through the woods, past waterfalls, to areas with sweeping mountain views, through meadows, and more. If you prefer your hikes to be shorter and may have kids with you, take one of these 11 kid-friendly hikes in West Virginia, all of which are under a mile and have fascinating aspects to look at or explore. What are some of the best hidden gems in West Virginia? The Mountain State is certainly chock full of hidden gems many of which are only known by locals and aren’t overrun by crowds of people. You can take our Ultimate West Virginia Hidden Gem Road Trip which will bring you to places like the art deco-style Prince Station, the serene Little Beaver State Park, and the gorgeous restored Cook’s Old Mill in Greeneville. There are also many incredible hidden gem restaurants around the state that guarantee a great meal. From Lola’s Pizza Place in Charleston to Coleman’s Fish Market in Wheeling, why not try a new-to-you place for lunch or dinner sometime? Are there any good swimming holes in West Virginia? If you’re looking for a place out in nature to cool off during the hot months in West Virginia, you can check out these 10 swimming holes. One of the most famous swimming holes in the state is the Blue Hole near Morgantown. If you want to spend a bit of time here, there’s camping available nearby. The town of Arden has a stretch of the Tygart River with several swimming holes along the way. However, it’s quite popular in the summer so plan accordingly.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Emerald Lagoon In West Virginia
June 23, 2021
Melissa M.
What are some of the best hikes in West Virginia? If you’re up for a long hike, specifically one that’s 16.5 miles long, the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek loop trail through the Monongahela Forest is said to be one of the best in the state. This trek takes hikers through the woods, past waterfalls, to areas with sweeping mountain views, through meadows, and more. If you prefer your hikes to be shorter and may have kids with you, take one of these 11 kid-friendly hikes in West Virginia, all of which are under a mile and have fascinating aspects to look at or explore. What are some of the best hidden gems in West Virginia? The Mountain State is certainly chock full of hidden gems many of which are only known by locals and aren’t overrun by crowds of people. You can take our Ultimate West Virginia Hidden Gem Road Trip which will bring you to places like the art deco-style Prince Station, the serene Little Beaver State Park, and the gorgeous restored Cook’s Old Mill in Greeneville. There are also many incredible hidden gem restaurants around the state that guarantee a great meal. From Lola’s Pizza Place in Charleston to Coleman’s Fish Market in Wheeling, why not try a new-to-you place for lunch or dinner sometime? Are there any good swimming holes in West Virginia? If you’re looking for a place out in nature to cool off during the hot months in West Virginia, you can check out these 10 swimming holes. One of the most famous swimming holes in the state is the Blue Hole near Morgantown. If you want to spend a bit of time here, there’s camping available nearby. The town of Arden has a stretch of the Tygart River with several swimming holes along the way. However, it’s quite popular in the summer so plan accordingly.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re up for a long hike, specifically one that’s 16.5 miles long, the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek loop trail through the Monongahela Forest is said to be one of the best in the state. This trek takes hikers through the woods, past waterfalls, to areas with sweeping mountain views, through meadows, and more. If you prefer your hikes to be shorter and may have kids with you, take one of these 11 kid-friendly hikes in West Virginia, all of which are under a mile and have fascinating aspects to look at or explore.
What are some of the best hidden gems in West Virginia?
The Mountain State is certainly chock full of hidden gems many of which are only known by locals and aren’t overrun by crowds of people. You can take our Ultimate West Virginia Hidden Gem Road Trip which will bring you to places like the art deco-style Prince Station, the serene Little Beaver State Park, and the gorgeous restored Cook’s Old Mill in Greeneville. There are also many incredible hidden gem restaurants around the state that guarantee a great meal. From Lola’s Pizza Place in Charleston to Coleman’s Fish Market in Wheeling, why not try a new-to-you place for lunch or dinner sometime?
Are there any good swimming holes in West Virginia?
If you’re looking for a place out in nature to cool off during the hot months in West Virginia, you can check out these 10 swimming holes. One of the most famous swimming holes in the state is the Blue Hole near Morgantown. If you want to spend a bit of time here, there’s camping available nearby. The town of Arden has a stretch of the Tygart River with several swimming holes along the way. However, it’s quite popular in the summer so plan accordingly.
