Brush Creek Falls Trail: Short Hike to a Tall Waterfall

My jaw dropped the first time I saw Brush Creek Falls. I couldn’t believe such a lovely, large, and accessible waterfall had escaped my attention for so long. The falls span the width of Brush Creek and are about 33 feet high. A few smaller drops precede the main fall. The Brush Creek watershed is substantial and supports good flow in summer. While it begins as a shallow, meandering stream, Brush Creek swells to river size and cuts a 400-foot deep canyon by the time it reaches the falls. 

Brush Creek Falls

Twenty-four acres surrounding Brush Creek Falls are now managed by the State of West Virginia as part of Pipestem Resort State Park. To get to Brush Creek Falls from the Pipestem State Park entrance, take state Route 20 south 4.5 miles to the town of Speedway and turn right onto county Route 3 (Brush Creek Falls Road, GPS: Lat. 37.45632, Long. -81.01005). After 2.7 miles bear left on county Route 3 and descend 0.6 miles into the Brush Creek Gorge. Park at the picnic shelter just before the bridge crossing Brush Creek (GPS: Lat. 37.46478, Long. -81.06404).
 

Upper Brush Creek Falls

It’s an easy, though rocky, ¼ mile hike from the picnic shelter to the falls. The trail at this point may have been a wagon road serving grist and woolen mills operating at the site from 1851 to 1909. From relatively flat sandstone ledges, you can explore the top of the upper falls that hosts numerous small drops. 
 

Brush Creek Falls

And there’s a well-graded trail leading to the creek below the main falls. This trail is not the first one that you’ll come upon. Look for a second trail, which switches back at an abrupt angle to the left. It’s the easiest way down to creek level where you can explore the base of the falls. 

Brush Creek Falls

Pipestem Falls: Making a Come-Back

For 20 years, I drove within yards of beautiful Pipestem Falls, yet knew nothing of them. The falls weren’t on road maps or in tourist guides. The Internet provided scant information and very few photos. To add to the mystery, it was obvious that at one time these falls were a roadside attraction. A broad, grassed-over parking area, a weather-beaten picnic table, an overgrown trail, and a worn trailside fence mutely testified that Pipestem Falls was once a popular destination.

Lower Pipestem Falls

But that’s all changed now. The roadside parking has been improved; a road sign marks the falls, and brush obscuring the view of the main falls has been cleared. Pipestem Falls has made a come-back. 

Lower Pipestem Falls

To find Pipestem Falls (GPS: Lat. 37.5478, Long. -80.9596) drive 2.7 miles south of the Pipestem State Park entrance road on State Route 20. Look on the right for a broad, grassy area on the inside portion of a long curve. Parking is easiest at a wide, graveled patch at the downhill end of the parking area. 

Upper Pipestem Falls

Pipestem Falls are really four waterfalls strung together. The first three are about six feet high and form the upper falls. The lower or main falls is about 30 feet high. To view the upper three falls, take the trail leaving the uphill portion of the parking area. Here Pipestem Creek runs over several shale riffles and sandstone steps in a somewhat open bedrock basin, before taking the main plunge below. The main plunge cannot be seen from this trail, but a view from the parking area has been cleared. 

Upper Pipestem Falls

If you’re willing to do a little bushwhacking, the main falls can be seen by descending a short, indistinct trail down to the creek bottom that begins at the lower end of the parking area. A rocky scramble upstream will reward the avid waterfall hunter with a close-up view of these lovely falls. Once neglected it’s great to see these waterfalls make a come-back.