Elakala Falls

Elakala Falls is a series of four waterfalls in Blackwater Falls State Park, with the first and most accessible drop plunging 35 feet into a swirling pool carved from ancient sandstone. The amber-tinted water of Shays Run pours through a narrow gorge lined with hemlocks and moss-covered boulders. A natural stone bridge arches over the creek just above the first falls, creating a photogenic scene.

From the lodge parking lot, follow the short Elakala Trail for 0.2 miles to a bridge above the falls, then take an unofficial path down to stream level for a close-up view. The total drops between all four falls measure approximately 200 feet, but only the first is easily accessible. The lower falls require increasingly difficult scrambling.

The amber water color, sandstone formations, and hemlock forest create an otherworldly atmosphere that is especially striking in autumn. Winter ice transforms the falls into dramatic frozen sculptures. The proximity to the lodge makes this an easy addition to any Blackwater Falls State Park visit.