*As published in North Canton Living February 2025
Stretching across the wide Kanawha River, the Kanawha Falls were a series of short shelves. The fast moving river swirled with foamy bubbles under the bright blue sky with red and orange trees lining the banks. With my back to the haunted Glen Ferris Inn and waterfalls in front of me, I sat quietly enjoying my lunch on a uniquely warm October day.
The West Virginia Department of Tourism has created an app that guides you to the state’s 43 waterfalls or 22 haunted places. More than 200 waterfalls grace West Virginia, the app has selected 43. As you visit each waterfall, check it on the app and earn rewards. Three waterfalls earn you a large sticker and when you visit all 43 you receive a special letterpress print celebrating your achievement. The same for the Paranormal Trail where you earn points toward swag.
The reasonably priced and elegant Glen Ferris Inn was decorated for the Halloween season. Dating back to 1839, the ghost known as the “Colonel” has been sighted by guests and staff alike. Sadly, the Colonel did not appear as I poked around the property.
I plotted my GPS for the next waterfall only 45 minutes away. Unfortunately, I missed a turn. Wilbur ventured up the wrong side of the river for many miles. Finally backtracking, I located the Cathedral Falls only to find it dried up due to weeks of no rain. The waterfall is a short walk off Route 60 and sits at 60 feet tall. After getting lost, I did enjoy a quiet moment of respite watching children play in the remaining pools. I look forward to visiting in the spring when it is in full force.
The following day I attempted to visit Coonskin Grotto in West Virginia’s capital city of Charleston. This hidden waterfall is located deep within Coonskin Park and features short cascades that spill into a sandstone cave. That day was raining and the falls were in full deafening force. The trail was fairly easy to navigate and only a third of a mile hike.
Many of the waterfalls are located within the New River Gorge National Park or within an hour drive. You can cross off many of them while visiting this newest national park. The app includes detailed hike descriptions so you can find waterfalls that match your needs. The three I choose worked for me as I need short, minimal elevation changes and easy access.
Several of the Paranormal Experiences require an admission fee. Fortunately, you can check in on the app just by being geographically close.
What I Learned
Blackwater Falls is the most photographed waterfall in West Virginia.
High Falls is located deep in the Monongahela National Forest with a height of over 2, 080 feet. The falls are thin but the hike is worthwhile if crowded.
Unlike many waterfalls such as Cathedral Falls that may dry up, Kanawha Falls flow year round as the Kanawha River fuels an old power station.
The Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, WV pays tribute to the shadowy legend that has haunted the area. Mothman was first spotted in 1966.
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is famous for its gothic architecture and multiple ghosts. Once housing more than 250 patients, by the 1950s the asylum held more than 2,400 patients.
When You Go
The West Virginia Experiences app can be downloaded from their website at wvtourism.com. The app currently features two experiences that require a simple free signup.
While the app allows you to connect to your gps of choice, I found my connection iffy in several parts of the mountainous state. I recommend you stop at a welcome center for a free West Virginia paper map as backup.
Read the hike description carefully and plan accordingly. Some of the trails can be treacherous and difficult while others are easy. Consider good hiking shoes and always take water. If hiking alone, consider sending a friend a text before you leave.