DAVIS, W.Va. (WCHS) — Blackwater Falls in Tucker County is one of the most iconic places in West Virginia.

The 57-foot waterfall may grab the most attention, but the view of the Blackwater River below is just as eye-catching.

It wasn't until recently that the entire canyon became public land.

About 2,700 acres was acquired from the Crites family, and now belongs to the Monongahela National Forest.

Last week, a ceremony was held at Blackwater to celebrate the purchase.

Former Sen, Joe Manchin, who played a big role in getting the deal done, was there.

"When I became governor in 2005, I started dealing with John Crites and the Crites family. We continue to build a good relationship over the years, and it finally came to fruition in 2024 - and bringing it all back to where we started and what I always thought it was, now it's all in one," Manchin said. "I'm so happy for this to happen. People thought it would never happen and it would never get done, but it did get done by an awful lot of people working together."

Cindy Sandeno, supervisor with the Monongahela National Forest, said this land is key for many reasons.

"If you look at this landscape and you think about it from a recreation standpoint, whether you're thinking about opportunities for hiking or bicycling or fishing or hunting or rafting, this landscape is critical," She said. "If you think about it from an ecological standpoint, providing important habitat for fish, for wildlife, especially rare species or federally listed species, this landscape is critical. When you think about connecting our Mon forest towns all the way from Elkins to Parsons to Davis and Thomas, this property is critical."

John Crites decided to sell the land in August of last year. The purchase price was about $14 million.

Alan Front, spokesman for the Crites Family, said it wasn't a quick decision.

"For somebody who spent his life in timber and helped to build the timber industry in West Virginia, it included a timber future for this property. Those selective harvests could have kept going. There's beautiful cherry and hemlock in that valley. It is valuable from an economic standpoint, and it's important for a timber family and for a timber company. That's their bread-and-butter," Front said. "Moving to the place of saying, 'All right, there is a higher purpose here. We're going to let this be part of the public domain from now on,' it's a process."

Brett McMillion, director of the Division of Natural Resources said Blackwater Falls is a must-see.

"It is a phenomenal site," he said. "I would encourage anybody who's never been to Blackwater, please come out and check it out. Our area - Tucker County - is absolutely phenomenal. In this great state of West Virginia, we're just blessed to have this property."