The Blackwater Falls Sled Run, the longest sled run on the East Coast, opens for the 2026–27 season on Saturday, December 19, 2026, and tickets are on sale now. It’s one of our favorite winter trips from the DMV, and sessions sell out every year, so here’s everything you need to plan your visit.
Quick answer: The Blackwater Falls Sled Run in Davis, West Virginia opens December 19, 2026 and runs Thursdays–Sundays through March 7, 2027. Tickets are $29 on weekdays and $35 on weekends and holidays for a 2-hour session, and kids under 5 ride free. It’s about 3 hours from DC and Maryland. Book online, because sessions sell out.
Table of Contents
- Why Visit Blackwater Falls for Sledding?
- Location & Getting There
- Sledding Tickets, Prices & Reservations
- What to Expect at the Sled Run
- Age Requirements & Safety Rules
- What to Wear & Bring
- Where to Stay & Other Things to Do
- Final Tips & Is It Worth It?
- FAQ
Why Visit Blackwater Falls for Sledding?
Blackwater Falls has the longest sled run on the East Coast: a quarter mile of groomed snow through the forest in the Allegheny Mountains. We’ve done it with the kids, and it’s pure winter magic.
- You never walk back up. A magic carpet conveyor carries you and your sled to the top after every run.
- Night sledding. On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can sled under the lights.
- Little ones ride free. Kids under 5 ride free with a paying adult.
- The park is beautiful in winter. The falls are just a short walk away, and they’re often partly frozen.
Location & Getting There
The sled run is in Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia. Use the park lodge address for directions: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260. It’s about 3 hours from DC and Maryland and about 3.5 hours from Baltimore. Mountain roads can get icy during the winter, so check road conditions on WV511 before you leave.
Day trip plan
For a day trip, book the 1–3 PM session.
- Leave by 8:30 or 9 AM.
- Arrive around noon and grab lunch. The easiest option is the restaurant at Blackwater Falls Lodge, inside the park and minutes from the sled run. For a quick bite in town, Big Belly Deli in Davis has sandwiches you can eat fast before check-in.
- Check in by 12:40 PM for the safety briefing.
- Sled from 1 to 3 PM.
- Walk to Blackwater Falls after your session.
- Grab an early dinner before the drive home. For a sit-down dinner, our pick is Canaan Valley BBQ, about 15 minutes from the park. Sirianni’s Cafe in Davis is an easy pizza stop with tired kids, or get takeout from Hellbender Burritos for the road. Check winter hours before you go.
- Head home by 5 PM and you’ll be back around 8 PM.
Sledding Tickets, Prices & Reservations
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Opening day | Saturday, December 19, 2026 |
| Season | Thursdays–Sundays through March 7, 2027 (weather permitting) |
| Sessions | 10 AM–12 PM, 1–3 PM, 4–6 PM, plus 7–9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays |
| Weekday tickets | $29 per person |
| Weekend and holiday tickets | $35 per person |
| Kids under 5 | Free with a paying adult |
| Session length | 2 hours per ticket |
How to book: Reserve online through West Virginia State Parks. A few same-day tickets may be sold at the park, but don’t count on them.
Booking tips:
- If no session times show up for your date, that day is sold out. Try another day.
- Thursdays are the cheapest day and the easiest to get.
- Christmas week and holiday weekends go first, so book those as early as you can.
- Bring your confirmation, printed or on your phone, to check in.
What to Expect at the Sled Run
- Check in 20 minutes early. Staff walk everyone through a quick safety briefing before each session.
- Grab a sled. The park provides sleds and all the gear you need, so you don’t bring your own.
- Ride the magic carpet up. It’s the longest conveyor on the East Coast and runs right up the hill.
- Fly down a quarter mile of snow. Then do it again, as many times as you can fit in your 2-hour session.
- Warm up between runs. The warming hut has snacks, hot drinks and a few things to buy.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the run is lit for the 7–9 PM session, which makes it extra magical.
Age Requirements & Safety Rules
- Kids 8 and under must ride with an adult. The park may raise this age depending on hill conditions that day.
- Kids under 5 ride free with a paying adult. Toddlers can ride on an adult’s sled.
- Pets stay on a leash and off the sled hill.
- Follow the staff. They manage the lanes and the magic carpet to keep things moving safely.
Rules can change, so check the official sled run page before your visit.
What to Wear & Bring
All you need is warm, waterproof gear.
- Snow pants and a waterproof jacket
- Waterproof boots and warm gloves (bring a spare pair)
- Hats and neck warmers
- Goggles or other eye protection, since snow kicks up on the way down
- Hand and toe warmers
- A full change of clothes for the ride home
- Snacks and water for the car
- A towel or blanket for wet gear
- Your ticket confirmation, printed or on your phone
Where to Stay & Other Things to Do
Where to stay
| Where | What it is | Why families like it |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater Falls Lodge | 51 rooms on the rim of Blackwater Canyon, inside the park | Minutes from the sled run, with stunning canyon views |
| Blackwater Falls cabins | 39 furnished cabins near the lodge, some pet-friendly | Room for the whole family, a kitchen and a fireplace |
| Canaan Valley Resort | A 160-room lodge about 20 minutes away | Indoor pool, plus tubing, ice skating and skiing on site |
| Cabin rentals in Davis or Canaan Valley | Vacation rentals around town | Good for bigger groups or if the park is booked |
Park lodging fills up fast on winter weekends, so book your room when you book your sled tickets.
Where to eat
- Sirianni’s Cafe (Davis): The local favorite for pizza and Italian food.
- Hellbender Burritos (Davis): Huge burritos for refueling after a cold day.
- Canaan Valley BBQ (Canaan Valley): Our pick for a sit-down dinner, with smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs and wings. It’s near Canaan Valley Resort, about 15 minutes from the park.
- Blackwater Falls Lodge restaurant (in the park): The most convenient lunch before your session, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with canyon views.
- Big Belly Deli (Davis): Sandwiches for a quick lunch before your session.
- Bright Morning Inn (Davis): A cozy breakfast spot if you’re staying over.
- Mountain State Brewing Co. (Thomas): Pizza and pub food, with plenty for kids.
- The Purple Fiddle (Thomas): Food and live music most nights.
Small-town restaurants often have shorter winter hours, so check before you go.
Other things to do nearby
- See Blackwater Falls frozen. It’s a short walk from the parking area.
- Cross-country ski or snowshoe. The park rents gear for its winter trails.
- Go snow tubing at Canaan Valley. It’s about 15 miles away and has a 1,200-foot tubing park, the longest in the Mid-Atlantic, with night tubing on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Ice skate. Canaan Valley has a covered outdoor rink behind the main lodge.
- Explore Thomas. Walk the strip of shops and galleries along the river.
Final Tips & Is It Worth It?
Yes, it’s worth it. It’s one of the easiest winter adventures to plan from the DMV and your whole family will have a blast.
Snow tubing or sledding?
We’ve done both, and when I asked my kids which one they’d pick, they chose the sled run, no hesitation. Snow tubing is fun, but the sled run is a completely different experience. You’re steering your own sled down a quarter mile of snow through the trees, and it’s fast. Sledders average about 25 mph, and the park has clocked riders close to 40 mph. Night sessions are the fastest, because the snow gets icier as the temperature drops.
By the end of our session, the kids were already asking when we could come back. Trust me, you’ll want to go again and again. Or make it a new family tradition.
Our final tips:
- Book as soon as you know your date, especially for Christmas week and weekends.
- Stay the night if you can, so you can sled under the lights and see the falls the next morning.
If you go, tag me! I’d love to see your family on the hill. For more family getaways from DC, Maryland and Virginia, follow along on Instagram at @kidsquarantineandme.
FAQ
When does the Blackwater Falls Sled Run open?
The 2026–27 season opens Saturday, December 19, 2026, and runs Thursdays through Sundays until March 7, 2027, weather permitting.
How much are Blackwater Falls Sled Run tickets?
Tickets are $29 on weekdays and $35 on weekends and holidays. Kids under 5 ride free with a paying adult.
How long is a sled run session?
Each ticket covers one 2-hour session, and you can ride as many times as you like during it.
How long is the Blackwater Falls sled run?
It’s about a quarter mile, the longest sled run on the East Coast.
Do you have to walk back up the hill?
No. A magic carpet conveyor carries you and your sled back to the top.
Can you go sledding at night?
Yes. There’s a lit 7–9 PM session on Fridays and Saturdays.
Do I need to bring my own sled?
No, the park provides sleds and all the gear you need.
Can young kids ride?
Yes. Kids 8 and under ride with an adult, and kids under 5 ride free.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes. Sessions sell out, especially around the holidays. A few same-day tickets may be available at the park, but it’s best to book online.
How far is Blackwater Falls from DC and Maryland?
About 3 hours from DC and Maryland, and about 3.5 hours from Baltimore.
Where is the Blackwater Falls sled run?
It’s inside Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia. For directions, use the park lodge address: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260.
What happens if there isn’t enough snow?
The park can make snow for the sled run, but sessions are still weather permitting. Check the park’s sled run page before you drive out.
Are there restrooms and food at the sled run?
Yes. There’s a warming hut with snacks and hot drinks, plus restrooms, a café and a fire pit on site.
What’s the best day to go?
Thursdays are the cheapest and least crowded. For night sledding under the lights, book the 7–9 PM session on a Friday or Saturday.
