Valley Falls State Park
Encyclopedia
Valley Falls State Park is a 1,145 acre (4.63 km²) day use facility sited along both banks of the Tygart Valley River
. The park is located about 7 miles (11 km) south of exit 137 of I-79, near Fairmont, West Virginia
.
The park's main feature is a half-mile long set of waterfalls that separate Marion
and Taylor County, West Virginia
. The park and river provide a popular and risky kayaking run.
Although the falls are an inviting spot, swimming is not allowed.
In the 19th century a small community thrived along the river at the current state park
's location. The ruins of a sawmill
and a gristmill
are still visible along the river.
Tygart Valley River
The Tygart Valley River — also known as the Tygart River — is a principal tributary of the Monongahela River, approximately long, in east-central West Virginia, USA...
. The park is located about 7 miles (11 km) south of exit 137 of I-79, near Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
.
The park's main feature is a half-mile long set of waterfalls that separate Marion
Marion County, West Virginia
| style="float:right;"|As of the census of 2000, there were 56,598 people, 23,652 households, and 15,515 families residing in the county. The population density was 183 people per square mile . There were 26,660 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
and Taylor County, West Virginia
Taylor County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,089 people, 6,320 households, and 4,487 families residing in the county. The population density was 93 people per square mile . There were 7,125 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
. The park and river provide a popular and risky kayaking run.
Although the falls are an inviting spot, swimming is not allowed.
In the 19th century a small community thrived along the river at the current state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
's location. The ruins of a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
and a gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
are still visible along the river.
Features
- Hiking trails
- Playground
- Picnic area
- Volleyball court
- Fishing
- Kayaking