With as crazy as life has been lately, it’s time to plan a getaway to enjoy one of West Virginia’s many cool, relaxing, and rejuvenating mountain retreats! And of these many mountain treasures, there’s none more restful and scenic than the waterfall paradise located along Potato Knob Trail in Holly River State Park.
The 8,101-acre Holly River State Park is West Virginia’s second-largest park, nestled in a narrow wooded valley surrounded by mountains. Highland beauty and woodland tranquility abound in this remote piece of Appalachia.
The Potato Knob Trail offers a special treasure — a trove of gorgeous woodland waterfalls scattered in and along the Left Fork Holly River. Accessing these gems ranges from an easy stroll to a moderately difficult hike of several miles but all of them are absolutely worth the effort.
Potato Knob Trail is accessed from a well-marked gravel road off Route 3. From the parking area, it's just a short walk on a wooden boardwalk to your first waterfall — Upper Falls. This beautiful 20-foot fall varies in size depending on recent rainfall, but it is magnificent even in dry weather.
Now set out on the red-blazed Potato Knob Trail, which follows the creek down to the river. You'll almost immediately begin to see more beautiful cascades, some of which aren't officially marked — so keep your eyes open and don't rush!
Only a few hundred yards down the trail, you'll come to one of the most unique water features — Shupe's Chute. Here, the creek slides down a narrow channel between two boulders into the Left Fork Holly River, then empties out into a beautiful shaded pool that creates a perfect swimming hole.
From here, the trail diverges from the river and heads into the woods — as well as up a mountain. At the top of the ridge, turn onto the Ridge Road Trail, and very soon you'll see and hear Tenskwatawa Falls, where water slips off an overhanging rock in front of a cave.
You've completed your waterfall tour on the Potato Knob Trail but many more adventures await! Back at the parking area, if you continue on the trail, you can take it to the top of 2,400-foot Potato Knob Mountain, where after a steep scramble, you'll be rewarded with an excellent view of the land below.
A word of caution — as this narrow trail hugs the water, it is rocky and can be slippery in wet weather. The hike to the top of Potato Knob is very strenuous, so if you plan to try it, come prepared with hiking poles and plenty of water (and energy).
Take a day and capture the beauty of all of these masterpieces in a single hike on the Potato Knob Trail. Or make it a long weekend stay at any of Holly River State Park‘s ten guest cabins — some more rustic than others — and take time to fully enjoy the many beautiful scenes of this West Virginia park (and its waterfall paradise) at a more leisurely pace!
For another waterfall paradise, try one of the most refreshing hikes in West Virginia: the Glade Creek Trail near Beckley.
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