Along Route 3 in rugged Boone County in southwest West Virginia lies a hidden attraction you might easily drive by without noticing: Drawdy Falls on Drawdy Creek. It’s a sneeze-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of place, out in the middle of the woods. You don’t have to sweat the trek to this waterfall—simply load up the car and view this stunning sight from the road! This little spot is also home to some interesting history. You’ll find several historical markers in the area, if you opt to take a stroll.
Just south of the town of Peytona, this scenic cascade sits just off the highway.
Across the road is Drawdy Falls Roadside Park, a perfect place for a stretch and a picnic.
You can get a view of the falls from the side of the road, but by hiking down to the creek, you’ll find a cool, shady retreat where you can wade in the creek and enjoy a closer look at the falls.
The falls are actually a set of two cascades surrounded by rocky shelves which tumble down into a shallow bowl. It’s a perfect place to relax, take photos, and enjoy the cool beauty of the water.
Just downstream from the falls, the creek crosses under the road through a large culvert and meanders around the edge of the roadside park. Here, the creek forms some nice wading pools beneath overhanging rock cliffs.
Drawdy Park is a nice spot for a break from the summer heat. In addition to enjoying the water, you can hike around the park and use one of the picnic shelters for lunch.
The park is maintained by members of the local community.
There are several historical markers in and around Drawdy Park that tell more about the history of the immediate area. Boone County lies in the heart of Appalachian coal country, and it’s not hard to tell - from the Coal River to the Coal Festival to the Coal Heritage Museum.
It was close by where the explorer John Peter Salley first made the discovery that would change the region forever—coal, in 1742. The town of Peytona was named for another man that took the next big step in the development of the area’s coal resources—William Madison Peyton, the engineer who directed the building of the dams and locks on the Coal River to make it navigable all the way to this town, connecting its mines to the outside world. Not far away is also the birthplace of a famous West Virginia politician—John Edward Kenna, who during the late 1800s used his influence to, among other things, improve the Kanawha Valley and move the capital of West Virginia back to nearby Charleston.
As if this wasn’t enough history, the very spot where the park now stands was once an ancient American Indian camping ground, with artifacts discovered here dating back a thousand years.
Remarkable history and scenery converge at the unassuming but charming Drawdy Falls. Stop by and enjoy this hidden but accessible gem! Find it on Google Maps here. If you love West Virginia waterfalls, try Falling Waters Waterfall, another hidden gem.
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