Valley Falls State Park celebrates 60th anniversary

However, he said the No. 1 attraction is the picturesque falls for which the park is named, which Harshbarger believes are a draw year-round that offer a different kind of beauty each season.

“We have four different waterfalls that cascade into each other, and it’s a beautiful stretch of river,” Harshbarger said. “You can walk up and down the bank and see several different falls. It’s all an easy walk from the parking lot. ...

“Each season, the river changes, along with the terrain and leaves around the river. Right now, flowers are starting to bloom. The trees change in the fall. In the summer, the water is lower, but everything is green. The falls change for the season, and you never know what you’re going to see based on the how the weather has been.”

Another highlight, Harshbarger said, involves the 16 miles of trails that weave throughout the park, giving hikers and bikers of all experience levels the opportunity to see a different side of the region as well as exclusive views of the Tygart River.

“We had 9 miles of trails when I got here, but through volunteer projects, we’ve added more than 6 miles to the system,” Harshbarger said. “There are some newer bike trails that have been built in the last handful of years that are for more advanced, downhill riders, but we also have older trails that are more moderate.”

Harshbarger said his personal favorite path is the Rhododendron Trail, which follows the Tygart River downstream.

It gives wonderful views of the river and local flora, as well as rock formations, Harshbarger said.

Meanwhile, the Dogwood Trail is 1,000 feet higher than the river, giving hikers a view of different flora and fauna as they go along the mile-long path.

“I love that trail in the winter because, with the leaves off the trees, you can see for miles and miles,” Harshbarger said.

While swimming is off limits due to the danger of the river currents, Harshbarger noted that fishing and kayaking are very popular ways for visitors to interact with the water directly.

“There’s a big group of people who go to the upper section of the river, which is very wide and calm and flat, so it’s a good place to kayak fish,” Harshbarger said. “It’s a nice, leisurely float, so that brings a lot of people out.”

Harshbarger said that over the past four years, park visitation has been much higher than it was previously. He credited that partly to the pandemic leading people to explore new areas for recreation.

“During COVID, we were busier than normal because everything else was closed, so people came to the parks,” Harshbarger said. “Visitation at parks went through the roof. It’s not at that level anymore, but it’s still well above what it was pre-COVID. ...

“The park is getting used and people are getting out. COVID helped introduce a whole new group of people to Valley Falls, who figured out this place is really nice. ... However, there is still plenty of room here to come hike, fish or do whatever you want to do.”

With all of these amenities and more, Harshbarger said it’s hard not to love Valley Falls State Park.

Despite the visitation increase since COVID, the park is still a “hidden gem,” according to Harshbarger.

“A lot of the parks that get a lot of publicity are the ones that have lodges and campgrounds where you can stay overnight,” Harshbarger said. “Being a day-use park, we don’t get the same kind of exposure as some of those larger parks, but being this close to Fairmont, Clarksburg and Morgantown, you can have a 30-minute drive to get out here and have 100 acres of park. ...

“You can come right here and do the stuff you want to do a lot closer to home, and this is one of the prettiest places in the state. The flowers are blooming right now, and it’s gorgeous. In fall with the colors changing, it’s breathtaking. In the winter, it’s such a different landscape and you see the rock formations. Any time of year, this place is absolutely beautiful. If you want to get away and be with nature, this is a beautiful spot to reset yourself.”

Whether someone is new to Valley Falls State Park or a seasoned guest, Harshbarger encouraged all to visit Valley Falls this year, promising a wonderful, vibrant natural world to explore.

“If you haven’t been out here, please come,” Harshbarger said. “It’s such a short trip, and it’s worth it for such a beautiful place. This place is constantly changing with the flora and fauna and water levels. ... Come out and see the park and grab a souvenir. Have a picnic with your family. Spend a few hours at a beautiful place close to home, and hopefully, you’ll want to come back more and more.”

More information on Valley Falls State Park can be found at www.wvstateparks.com/park/valley-falls-state-park.