Are there fees or permits required for Richman Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Richman Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Richman Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Richman Falls.

Nearby gauge (New River) · 1,880 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Richman Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Richman Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Richman Falls.

West Virginia

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Private Land Owner 1 PCON · PVT

Before you go

No trail or viewpoint for Richman Falls is documented, and land records show a private parcel at this spot within the park boundary. Use the public Sandstone Falls area and respect posted property.

Photo Credits (1)

Antony-22 CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

About Richman Falls

Richman Falls is a named falls on the New River about 1.4 miles downstream (north) of Sandstone Falls, on the Raleigh and Summers county line inside the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve boundary. No documented trail or official viewpoint for this falls was found.

The Setting

Richman Falls sits at 1,257 feet within Private Land Owner 1, in the foothills of West Virginia.

Trail & Hike Details

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Richman Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Richman Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

The New River has strong currents and submerged ledges. Do not wade or swim near the falls.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Low

These readings come from the USGS gauge on New River, 7.4 miles away, not on Richman Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

1,880 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1.7k 2.3k 5.3k 8.8k

Based on 67 years of record

1.80 ft

Water depth at gauge

53°F

Cold

Bracing — limit time in water

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is a bracing 53 degrees F, limit your time in the water.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

NEW RIVER AT HINTON, WV

USGS 03184500

7.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 6,273 sq mi

Altitude: 1,355 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge NEW RIVER AT HINTON, WV (12 km away).

Moderate confidence

Low right now

1880 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

2030 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

1884 cfs

6/10

Tue

Low

1998 cfs

6/10

Wed

Low

1830 cfs

6/10

Thu

Low

1911 cfs

6/10

Fri

Low

2116 cfs

6/10

Sat

Low

2420 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, mostly sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late April, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Meadow Bridge hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Richman Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid

Richman Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 45°F to 38°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 1920 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in West Virginia.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 51 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,258 feet.

The ground changes about 285 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 30 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Richman Falls near Meadow Bridge, West Virginia, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Richman Falls near Meadow Bridge, West Virginia, showing about 51 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,258 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 51 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

The nearest documented public access is the Sandstone Falls parking area: from Hinton, turn onto WV-26 (New River Road) and follow it about 8.3 miles to the lot, per the National Park Service. Richman Falls is about 1.4 miles farther downstream, and no signed pullout or trail for it was found.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Elevation

1,257 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.777896° N, -80.898979° W

Land Management

Private Land Owner 1 PCON

Managed by PVT

Visitor Tips & Gear

Where to Stay

3 Mi to New River Gorge NP! Rafting and Hiking Hub

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Grandview Playground Shelter

9.7 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview The Playground Picnic Shelter is the main shelter at Grandview. It is closest to the main playground and ball fields, located just past the amphitheater.Recreation The Grandview area of New River Gorge National River features five hiking trails, overlooks, a seasonal visitor center, ranger-led activities, summer outdoor dramas (Theatre West Virginia), playgrounds, volleyball court, baseball field, and basketball court.Facilities The Playground Picnic Shelter at Grandview is the largest a

Book on Recreation.gov