The park is located about 7 miles (11 km) south of exit 137 of I-79, near Fairmont, West Virginia.

The park's main feature is a half-mile long set of cascades — the "Valley Falls" — that separate Marion and Taylor County, West Virginia.

The park and river provide a popular and risky kayaking run.

[4] Local tradition had it that early settler Jonathan Nixon, Sr (1753–1799) was the first white man to look upon the falls.

[5] In the 19th century a small community thrived along the river at the current state park's location.