Falling Waters, West Virginia: Location and Directions

Falling Waters, West Virginia is a statistical area used by the U.S. Census Bureau in Berkeley County¹. It is situated along the Potomac River, north of Martinsburg on Williamsport Pike (US 11)¹. Falling Waters is primarily a residential community with many historic residences listed on the National Register of Historic Places². In recent years, Falling Waters has experienced a surge in new residential construction, as many people use it as a bedroom community to commute to nearby cities and as far as Washington, D.C., and Baltimore². This boom is likely due to Falling Waters offering a more affordable cost of living compared to major metropolitan areas while still providing convenient access to them².

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Falling Waters on the Map

Falling Waters is located at the following coordinates: 39°33′54″N 77°52′47″W¹. You can find Falling Waters on a map using these coordinates or by searching for “Falling Waters, WV”⁴.

County and Nearby Towns

Falling Waters is located in Berkeley County, West Virginia¹. Berkeley County is in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia⁵. Nearby towns and cities include Martinsburg, Spring Mills, and Williamsport, Maryland,¹ with Martinsburg being the largest city to the south and Hagerstown, Maryland being the largest city north of Falling Waters, WV¹.

Falling Waters Waterfall

In addition to being a charming town, Falling Waters boasts a beautiful waterfall of the same name⁴. This waterfall is located at the coordinates 39.559605, -77.888649 or 39°33’34.6″N 77°53’19.1″W⁴. The waterfall is not only a scenic natural attraction but also holds historical significance as the site of two Civil War battles⁴. Some even say the area is haunted due to mysterious lights appearing at night in an unoccupied mill that was previously located there⁴.

Directions to Falling Waters

There are several ways to get to Falling Waters, WV, depending on your starting location. Here are a few examples:

From Pittsburgh, PA:

• Take the Parkway East (I-376) to I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) at Monroeville.
• Continue east on the Turnpike to Exit 91 (Donegal).
• Turn left onto Route 31 east.
• Go 2 miles, turn right onto Route 381 south.
• Follow Route 381 south for approximately 17 miles to Fallingwater⁶.

From Washington, DC:

• Take the train from Washington Union Station to Martinsburg W Va Marc⁷.
• From Martinsburg, you can take a short drive or taxi to Falling Waters.

From Charleston, WV:

• Take I-79 North to I-68 East.
• Continue on I-68 East to Exit 1B (US 11 North).
• Follow US 11 North for approximately 10 miles to Falling Waters⁸.

From I-81 Southbound:

• There is a West Virginia Interstate 81 Welcome Center – Southbound at Mile Marker 25⁸.
• This rest area is located near Falling Waters and provides a convenient stopping point for travelers.

To the Falling Waters Waterfall:

• Take Exit 20, the Spring Mills exit.
• Take SR 901 east a short distance.
• Turn left on US 11 North.
• Take a hard right on Encampment Road.
• Stop at the historical sign on your left.
• A short trail leads to the waterfall⁴.

Travel Times to Falling Waters

From	Hours
Greensburg, PA	1
Harrisburg, PA	3
Morgantown, WV	1.25
New York, NY	6.5
Philadelphia, PA	5
Pittsburgh (downtown), PA	1.5
Pittsburgh (airport), PA	2
State College, PA	3
Washington, DC	4
Wheeling, WV	1.5
Wilmington, DE	5
Youngstown, OH	3

Conclusion

Falling Waters, West Virginia, is a charming community located in Berkeley County in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Situated along the Potomac River, south of Martinsburg, it offers a blend of history, natural beauty, and convenient access to major cities. Falling Waters is primarily a residential area with a growing population, likely drawn to its affordability and proximity to employment centers like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The town features numerous historic residences and a picturesque waterfall that was the site of two Civil War battles. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor recreation, or simply a peaceful place to live, Falling Waters has something to offer. With its convenient location and access to major transportation routes, Falling Waters is an attractive destination for both residents and visitors.

Works cited

1. Falling Waters, West Virginia – Wikipedia, accessed January 19, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falling_Waters,_West_Virginia

2. Falling Waters, West Virginia – Your Trip Home, accessed January 19, 2025, https://www.yourtriphome.com/falling-waters-west-virginia/

3. Falling Waters WV – YouTube, accessed January 19, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7SnFSFjquc

4. Falling Waters – West Virginia Waterfalls, accessed January 19, 2025, https://wvwaterfalls.com/panhandles/falling-waters.html

5. Falling Waters, WV | Data USA, accessed January 19, 2025, https://datausa.io/profile/geo/falling-waters-wv

6. Driving Directions – Fallingwater – Maps and Directions, accessed January 19, 2025, https://fallingwater.org/visit/driving-directions/

7. Washington to Falling Waters – 2 ways to travel via train, and car – Rome2Rio, accessed January 19, 2025, https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Washington/Falling-Waters

8. WV I81 Falling Waters Welcome Center Southbound MM 25 – West Virginia Rest Areas, accessed January 19, 2025, https://www.westvirginiarestareas.com/wv-i81-west-virginia-interstate-81-falling-waters-welcome-center-southbound-mile-marker-25/