(also known as the Riffle Waterfall)
This waterfall is located in the area between Cottageville and Millwood, West Virginia.
With the right weather conditions, Riffle Falls is one of Jackson County's most beautiful natural scenic areas.
Above are three photos of Riffle Falls, also known as the Riffle Waterfall. It is located in the area of Cottageville and Millwood, West Virginia (on private land). The height of the waterfall is 8 feet. During the dry season there is little or no water going over the waterfall. However, after heavy rains there is a lot of very swift water going over the waterfall, which makes a beautiful roaring sound. The middle photo above shows what the top rock of the waterfall looks like when there is no water. The large trees and lush ferns compliment this small, but beautiful waterfall.
Another beautiful photo of the Riffle Waterfall
Compare the Riffle Waterfall winter photo below (taken Dec. 27, 2023) to the summer photo above (taken Aug. 08, 2023)
A photo of the Riffle Waterfall rock formation
VIDEO of the Riffle Waterfall with sunlight reflections - Click on the photo below to watch
With the right weather conditions, the Riffle Waterfall projects a dazzling sunlight reflection onto a rock.
VIDEO of the Riffle Waterfall with sunlight reflections - Click on the photo below to watch
Watch this video clip of the scenic Riffle Waterfall with its dazzling sunlight reflections.
VIDEO of the Riffle Waterfall with sunlight reflections - Click on the photo below to watch
The sunlight reflections from the water make some of the rock to look like it is on fire at the Riffle Waterfall.
VIDEO of Riffle Falls on May 31, 2025 following a rainfall - Click on the photo below to watch
Riffle Falls may only have a height of about 8 feet, but it is still pretty to watch.
VIDEO of Riffle Falls - sunlight reflections on the rock - Click on the photo below to watch
Riffle Falls - the sunlight reflections on the rock are beautiful to watch.
VIDEO of multicolored reflections on a rock in the gorge at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
The sunlight reflections on this rock are multicolored due to some areas of the stream having full sunlight and some areas of the stream having shade. This rock is about 200 feet upstream from the 8 foot Riffle Waterfall, which also has beautiful light reflections.
VIDEO of another waterfall drop of 5 or 6 feet in the bedrock at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
Going upstream another 200 feet or so, this video shows a drop of about 5 or 6 feet in the bedrock over a distance of perhaps 25 feet. This is perhaps more of a rapid than a waterfall, but it does have a drop in the bedrock. At the end of the video you can see the uppermost angled waterfall in the distance.
VIDEO of the uppermost waterfall and then looking downstream toward the 5 or 6 foot drop in the bedrock at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
Video of the uppermost waterfall and then looking downstream toward the 5 or 6 foot drop in the bedrock at Riffle Falls.
VIDEO of the uppermost waterfall, which has an angled drop of about 5 feet or so in height at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
This waterfall has an angled drop of about 5 feet or so in height. It is the uppermost waterfall along a distance of about 500 feet or so. Depending on how one classifies what a waterfall is, there are possibly three waterfalls within a distance of 500 feet or so ..... or there are at least three distinct areas where the water drops at least 5 feet in height over a distance of about 5 feet to 25 feet.
VIDEO of Riffle Falls following a day of rain on Dec, 27, 2023 - Click on the photo below to watch
Riffle Falls is also beautiful in the wintertime after adequate rainfall. The water flow shown is about one-third of what it would be in a really heavy thunderstorm / flashflood event.
VIDEO of Riffle Falls - another winter video - Click on the photo below to watch
Riffle Falls - this video was taken Dec. 27, 2023.
VIDEO of water going over the Riffle Waterfall - Click on the photo below to watch
Water crashing over Riffle Falls - the flow rate is about one-third of what it would be in a really heavy rain / flashflood event.
VIDEO of the upper waterfall and the middle waterfall - Click on the photo below to watch
In the background is the upper waterfall, and the middle waterfall is also shown as it cuts through a narrow channel in the rock formation. Both of these waterfalls would be a type of a "cascade waterfall", each dropping at least 5 feet in height over a short distance. A couple of hundred feet or so downstream is the 8 foot "plunge waterfall". Riffle Falls is one of the most beautiful natural scenic areas in Jackson County, West Virginia.
VIDEO of the middle waterfall showing swift water going through the narrow rock gorge at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
Video of the middle waterfall showing swift water going through the narrow rock gorge at Riffle Falls in Cottageville, WV
VIDEO of the uppermost waterfall, which has an angled drop of about 5 feet or so in height at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
This waterfall has an angled drop of about 5 feet or so in height. It is the uppermost waterfall (of the three waterfalls) along a distance of about 500 feet or so.
VIDEO #1 of the sunlight reflections on Feb. 05, 2024 at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
VIDEO #1 of the sunlight reflections on Feb. 05, 2024 at Riffle Falls in Cottageville, West Virginia.
VIDEO #2 of the sunlight reflections on Feb. 05, 2024 at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
VIDEO #2 of the sunlight reflections on Feb. 05, 2024 at Riffle Falls in Cottageville, West Virginia.
VIDEO #3 of the sunlight reflections on Feb. 05, 2024 at Riffle Falls - Click on the photo below to watch
VIDEO #3 of the sunlight reflections on Feb. 05, 2024 at Riffle Falls in Cottageville, West Virginia.
While the waterfall(s) are beautiful, perhaps the sunlight reflections are their best asset. To watch the sunlight reflections on the rock in the gorge as well as on the rock at the largest waterfall (the Riffle Waterfall) is just so peaceful. All waterfalls are unique and beautiful in their own way, and this one is no exception. Located in Jackson County, West Virginia, the Riffle Waterfall (Riffle Falls) may be small compared to many waterfalls, but most waterfalls don't have a natural light display like this one. With the right conditions, including the amount of rainfall, the amount of sunlight and clouds, and the month and the time of day (as these affect the sun angle for the light reflections), this waterfall is a gem to video and photograph. The three waterfalls at Riffle Falls are "ephemeral waterfalls", so they only flow after a rain or a significant snowmelt.
As the owners of the property where Riffle Falls is located, David Riffle and his wife, Li-Yun Riffle hope that you have enjoyed watching some of the waterfall videos above, and also enjoyed listening to the sound of the water. Speaking of beautiful sounds, Li-Yun Riffle is featured in the following two videos below playing a 21-string Guzheng instrument. The first video below is of her playing "Amazing Grace", and the second video below is of her playing a John Denver classic and a West Virginia state song "Country Roads". Since Riffle Falls is in West Virginia, the song "Country Roads" is sort of the grand finale here on this website.
VIDEO of Li-Yun Riffle playing "Amazing Grace" - Click on the photo below to watch
VIDEO of Li-Yun Riffle playing "Country Roads" - Click on the photo below to watch
How to visit Riffle Falls / FAQ:
Riffle Falls is accessible by foot from the Cottageville area of Evergreen Hills, and by kayak (boat) / foot from the Millwood area. The overall property is almost 35 acres, and has a "deep woods" area with really tall trees as well. The distance from the public road access to the Millcreek access is about 3500 feet, with the waterfalls about midway. Therefore, the property is also nice for taking a walk or hike. For questions, comments, reservations, or tour information (as Riffle Falls is on private property), please call (304) 273-1020 during normal business hours (or text anytime). You may also contact us by email at: info@LinkedAds.com, but our response by email is sometimes delayed. Phone / text is preferred for the fastest response.