Mountain State Birding Festival

Join birding enthusiasts at beautiful Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia, for a weekend to remember. The West Virginia mountains offer diverse habitats for many exceptional species of birds. Blackwater Falls State Park is one of West Virginia’s best birdwatching locations near Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, and Otter Creek Wilderness Area. In the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the amber waters of Blackwater Falls, a 57-foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls, along with a few of the park’s other features—Elakala Falls, Lindy Point, and Pendleton Point Overlook—are some of the state’s most photographed spots. The park has 20 miles of hiking trails. 

This is the ultimate birding weekend for advanced and beginning birdwatchers. The weekend is designed to see and listen to birds in scenic mountain habitats with expert naturalists and guides, as well as indoor presentations, and a live educational birds program. Blackwater Falls State Park will be home base for the Mountain State Birding Festival.

Field trips are limited with a small fee. Advance registration for field trips is required. Please call Paulita Cousin at 304-259-5216 for field-trip reservations. All other activities are free and open to the public and are held at or begin from Blackwater Falls Lodge.

Accommodations of lodge room cabins or camping are available at Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge and reservable online. 

Advance reservations required by calling 304-259-5216. For times and specific programs, email naturalist and birder: Paulita.L.Cousin@wv.gov.