Driving along scenic Route 39 west of Mill Point and east of Richwood, there is a quiet area where three rambunctious waterfalls flow – each more spectacular than the other.

The Falls of Hills Creek is the glittering jewel in the crown of the Monongahela National Forest.  The 114 acre area sits just south of Highway 39 – 5 miles west of the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center - and is marked with a Monongahela National Forest Recreation sign.  Turn down the gravel road and park in the small lot where rest rooms are also available. 

The Hills Creek is rated as one of West Virginia’s cleanest streams by the Department of Natural Resources.  Lack of building construction along the area, as well as minimal animal grazing adjacent to the stream, make it a good candidate for the designation.
 
The handicap accessible boardwalk is 1,700 feet long and allows all to see the majesty of the first waterfall.  The rhododendrons and laurel flourish under the shade canopy.  The first fall drops 25 feet, crashing to the rocks below.

Continue on to the second waterfall via a dirt path and set of wooden steps.  At 45 feet tall and much wider than the first fall, you begin to appreciate the natural beauty of Hills Creek as the creek cascades and rolls over moss covered boulders.  For wildflower enthusiasts, the forest carpet is alive with over 40 species of blooms, mostly in the spring through early summer.

The dirt walkway, interspersed with rocks and small boulders, continues onward to the third and final waterfall.  From this point on it is for the strong of spirit and body.  The trip from the parking lot to the lower falls is over three quarter mile.  Towards the end, the dirt path will turn to metal steps down a set of switchbacks to the overlook.  The awesome view of the 63 foot fall is worth every step of the way.  From the top fall to the lowest fall, the Creek drops 220 feet.

Two viewing decks provide a great position for taking photographs or simply relaxing and enjoying.  The gorge and towering trees allow only limited light into the lowest of the falls area.  If you want to take outstanding photographs, the best time is from noon to two in the afternoon when the most light is available at the bottom fall.