The lower Falls of Hills Creek is a 55-foot plunge waterfall on Hills Creek in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, the tallest of three falls in the Monongahela National Forest's Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area beside WV 39/55. A trail of boardwalks and stairs leads down past all three.
The falls
Hills Creek drops over three separate falls in a short, steep hollow; the USGS names them together as Falls of Hills Creek, and this listing covers the lowest and tallest. A lidar survey puts the drop at 55 feet; the Forest Service brochure lists it at 63 feet. The middle fall is 45 feet and the upper fall 25 feet.
Getting there
The trail starts at the scenic area on WV 39/55 and runs 0.75 mile each way to the lower fall. The first 1,700 feet, to the upper fall, is accessible. Beyond it the route to the lower viewpoint uses boardwalks, handrails and 382 steps, and the climb back out is strenuous. Two accessible toilets are provided.
When to go
The lower section of the trail was closed for boardwalk repairs and reopened on April 13, 2026.
On site
The ground is steep and slippery; stay on the boardwalks and stairs. Dogs must be on a leash. Camping, horses and motor vehicles are not allowed in the scenic area.
Nearby
Richwood is about 11.3 miles to the west. The nearest other listed falls are Whitaker Falls, about 25.6 miles away, and across the Virginia line Cascades Creek Falls, about 28.8 miles, and Falling Spring Falls, about 29.9 miles.
Distances are straight-line.
