Upper Falls of Hills Creek
Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 25 ft (7.6 m)
- Location
- Pocahontas County, West Virginia
- Access status
- Paved, accessible national forest path to the upper falls platform
- The walk
- The first 1,700 feet of trail is paved and reaches the upper falls viewing platform (Forest Service); Virginia Trail Guide gives 0.3 mile to the first overlook of the Upper Falls
- Ground & access
- Paved, accessible path to the upper falls platform. Beyond it, gravel, boardwalks and many stairs. Stinging nettles are common; stay on the trail.
The Upper Falls of Hills Creek is the first and smallest, at 25 feet, of three falls in the Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area in the Monongahela National Forest, on WV 39/55 between Richwood and Marlinton. From Mill Point, head west on WV 39/55; after about 12 miles a sign for the scenic area on the left leads to the parking lot. The trail leaves from the parking lot on a paved, wheelchair-accessible path that descends to the upper falls viewing platform. Beyond it, the trail continues on gravel, boardwalk and many stairs to the 45-foot middle falls and the 63-foot lower falls. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area parking off WV 39/55, then the paved accessible trail to the upper falls viewing platform
The Forest Service says the first 1,700 feet of the trail is a paved, wheelchair-accessible path to the upper falls viewing platform. Virginia Trail Guide gives 0.3 mile to the first overlook of the 25-foot Upper Falls. The full trail to the lower falls is three-quarters of a mile (Forest Service).
Paved, accessible path to the upper falls platform. Beyond it, gravel, boardwalks and many stairs. Stinging nettles are common; stay on the trail.
Where to start
Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area parking lot off WV 39/55, with two vault toilets near the parking area. No drinking water.
Timing & water
Spring runoff gives the strongest flow. The falls can be nearly dry after long dry spells. Dogs are welcome on leash. Camping is not permitted in the scenic area.
Before you go
No fees are required at this site (Forest Service).
Visitor informationVisit sources
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- USDA Forest Service: Falls of Hills Creek
- Virginia Trail Guide: Falls of Hills Creek
- Virginia Trail Guide: Falls of Hills Creek
- Virginia Trail Guide: Falls of Hills Creek
- Virginia Trail Guide: Falls of Hills Creek
- Mon Forest Towns: Falls of Hills Creek National Scenic Area
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Middle Falls of Hills CreekDeveloped national forest trail with boardwalks and stairs; second of three falls45 ft (13.7 m) · Pocahontas County, WV0.2 miS
- Lower Falls of Hills CreekNational forest trail with stairs to the lower falls platform63 ft (19.2 m) · Pocahontas County, WV0.3 miS
- Rudolph FallsNicholas County, WV11 miW
Falling Spring FallsState-owned roadside overlook with a short paved path262 ft (80 m) · Alleghany County, VA30 miSE- Tenskwatawa FallsPartial guide: state park trail; start point, parking and distance to the falls not statedWebster County, WV33 miN
- Blue Suck FallsState park trail route from Camp Carson Picnic Area; parking feeBath County, VA34 miSE
- Stony Run FallsGuide: state park trails to a small fallsAlleghany County, VA34 miSE
- Tecumseh FallsState park trail that passes under the fallsWebster County, WV35 miN
- Middle CascadesAlleghany County, VA36 miS