The widest waterfall in West Virginia, spanning about 1,500 feet across the New River and reached by an easy boardwalk loop.
Sandstone Falls stretches roughly 1,500 feet across the New River, split into channels by a string of islands, with drops the National Park Service describes as 10 to 25 feet depending on the channel. It is the widest waterfall in West Virginia and sits within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in Raleigh County. The site also shelters a rare Appalachian riverside flatrock plant community that the NPS says survives in only a handful of locations statewide, making the area notable botanically as well as scenically.
Access starts at the Sandstone Visitor Center near I-64 Exit 139, then follows Route 20 and River Road roughly 18 miles to the day-use area. From the parking area, a boardwalk crosses a historic mill channel onto the first island, where the half-mile Island Loop Trail continues over a second bridge to floodplain-forest views of the main falls. The park's own falls page carries a standing safety warning that the river here has been the site of several drownings, advising a lifejacket in or near the water. Check current NPS alerts and the visitor center's seasonal hours before visiting.
The National Park Service's Sandstone Falls page warns that the river around the falls has been the site of several drownings and advises wearing a lifejacket in or near the water at all times. Check the official page for current conditions. Check the current notice ↗
Know before you go
Sandstone Falls Day-Use Area off River Road, reached via the Sandstone Visitor Center (I-64 Exit 139), WV Route 20, and River Road near Hinton, WV, within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Sandstone Visitor Center operates seasonally; check current NPS hours and alerts before visiting.
Boardwalk and bridges lead to the half-mile Island Loop Trail across the falls' islands, including two bridges over the historic mill channel and river.
Check current NPS fee information for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Boardwalk sections provide developed access to island viewpoints; verify current accessibility details with the park.
2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS — New River Gorge: Sandstone Falls ↗
- NPS — New River Gorge: Sandstone Visitor Center ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
